The value of plastic waste: end-of-life management in Hungary
Nowadays, plastics are one of the most common materials in our daily life. Plastics have exceptional properties, which have made them indispensable in different industries (for example, packaging, building & construction, and automotive sector), resulting in societal benefits. However, the use of plastics generates plastic waste, and improper management of this waste leads to severe plastic pollution. In Hungary, there are some encouraging waste management trends, such as higher recycling and recovery rates and a decrease in the usage of landfills.
Key figures of the European plastics industry
The word “Plastic” was originally defined as “flexible and easily shaped”. The first plastic material was created in the mid-1800s. Then, the popularity of plastics grew around the world due to their innovative potential and unique properties. Plastic materials offer several advantages, including the ability to mass-produce them, as well as their lightweight, strength, durability, and low cost.