Completion requirements
- Definition: Discarded or abandoned plastic materials, often in the form of packaging, containers, or products, that have reached the end of their useful life.
Single-Use Plastics:
- Definition: Disposable plastic items designed for a short-term purpose, typically used once and then discarded. Examples include straws, cutlery, and packaging.
Microplastics:
- Definition: Tiny particles of plastic, often less than 5 millimeters in size, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are intentionally manufactured for certain products.
Plastic Pollution:
- Definition: The presence of plastic materials in the environment, particularly in oceans, rivers, and ecosystems, leading to negative impacts on wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
Landfill:
- Definition: A designated area for the disposal of waste, including plastic, by burying it in the ground. Landfills can contribute to environmental issues such as soil and water pollution.
Recycling:
- Definition: The process of converting used materials, including plastic, into new products to prevent waste and reduce the consumption of new raw materials.
Circular Economy:
- Definition: An economic model that emphasizes the reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle.
Biodegradable Plastics:
- Definition: Types of plastics designed to break down more quickly through natural processes, reducing their environmental impact compared to traditional plastics.
Upcycling:
- Definition: The creative reuse of plastic waste to produce new products with higher value or functionality.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
- Definition: A policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products, including proper disposal and recycling, encouraging more sustainable product design and waste management.
Ocean Cleanup:
- Definition: Initiatives and technologies aimed at removing plastic waste from oceans, preventing harm to marine life and ecosystems.
Greenwashing:
- Definition: Misleading marketing practices where companies falsely claim their products or activities are environmentally friendly, potentially leading to misconceptions about their impact on plastic waste.
Plastic Footprint:
- Definition: The total amount of plastic that an individual, community, or organization contributes to the environment through consumption and waste generation.
Zero Waste:
- Definition: A lifestyle or approach that aims to minimize the production of waste, including plastic waste, through conscious consumption, recycling, and composting.
Marine Debris:
- Definition: Human-made objects, including plastics, that enter marine environments and can harm marine life and ecosystems.