Just 2 in 5 'informed about recycling' in GCC

Fewer than two people in every five GCC residents have an informed view on recycling and degradable plastics.

This is according to data published by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), which revealed just 38 per cent of people living in the GCC region feel they are prepared with enough information to make educated choices about how they dispose of their plastic waste. With so few feeling confident about responsible recycling and rubbish management, the need to incorporate more information on the subject to educate the population is more important than ever.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of the 4,076 respondents support recycling plastics in order to make more products rather than permanently disposing of the materials. The survey also revealed that the majority of respondents expect government authorities and plastics manufacturers to take a leading role in reducing the environmental impact of packaging that ends up in the environment. Respondents also expect GCC authorities to promote recycling in the region as well as running education campaigns.

"In line with its efforts to play an active role in providing solutions that keep the environment clean and safe, GPCA has taken the initiative to commission for the second time a survey on the perception of plastics across the six GCC countries," said Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA. "This is the second time since 2009 that GPCA has commissioned a study of this kind to provide a clear and up to date picture of the public’s view on recycling and gauge their opinion on what they see as a solution going forward."

"GPCA strongly advocates recycling as part of its efforts to protect the environment, and support the sustainable development and growth of our industry and region," added Dr Mohammed Al Mulla, MD and CEO, Qatar Petrochemicals Company and Chairman, Plastics Committee, GPCA.

The importance of making plastics a circular economy has been advocated in Europe by the European Commission and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and international companies with interests in Europe as well as the Middle East such as Borouge are keen to bring the trend to push for circularity to the GCC.

"Building a sustainable and profitable plastics recycling industry that transforms our economic model from linear to a circular economy will improve resource efficiency and enhance sustainable waste management across the region," said Craig Halgreen, Vice-President Sustainability, Borouge and Head of Advocacy Plastics sub-Committee, GPCA. "Society continues to benefit from the convenience of plastic products due to their low carbon footprint across their life cycle. However, as the plastics perception survey highlights, there is a growing need to increase the awareness of and build more facilities for separating and recycling plastic waste. This is extremely important for the protection of our environment and wellbeing of society."

Another important outcome from the survey included that harm to human health was perceived by most as a top issue caused by an increased littering or unmindful disposal of plastic material.

Daker El Rabaya, Managing Director of Waste Recovery and Processing at Bee’ah, the UAE’s leading integrated environmental and waste management company, said that recycling is the solution to diverting away from landfill. He also highlighted the fact that solutions such as bio degradable plastic are not addressing the real issue and encourage unmindful littering which ends up in landfill and water streams. In addition, they complicate the recycling process and bring more harm to nature.

Dr Al Sadoun also stressed the importance of having more campaigns such as Waste Free Environment that make a tangible and collective difference to human behaviours.

"This campaign has already achieved strong results through education and outreach on recycling and the harmful impact of littering. Going forward, GCC governments will need to incorporate more information into the education system and further enforce regulations that will help make an impact in shifting the human behaviour," Dr Sadoun stated.

The GPCA’s Waste Free Environment campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about recycling and the harmful impact of littering. The campaign has been successfully operational for more than five years in as many as 23 cities worldwide.