Evaluating the Plastic Waste Management Systems in England

The fast rate of urbanisation worldwide has led to the creation of increasing amounts of waste and this poses difficulties for disposal.Often post- consumer waste is associated with packaging,which is made up of plastics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the plastic waste management systems in England using Dorset County as a case study: to identify the environmental problems due to plastic waste: identify the strategies used in management and the challenges faced; and analyse the effectiveness of existing policies on plastic waste management. The scope of the research was limited to the study of plastics as a packaging material. Senior managers of 3 Councils were interviewed to identify the strategies used in the management of plastics. A questionnaire survey was also conducted on various stakeholders. The study identified the Kerbside scheme was more effective for the collection of recyclables than the bring site schemes. Environmental problems due to plastic waste was mainly litters and riverine pollution.Plastic recycling is not cost effective because of its lightweight. This study should be useful to policy-makers and environmentalist in addressing problems of plastic waste.