Plastic Pollution and Circular Economy: A Case Study of Miniwiz

This report discusses the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on the sustainability of the planet. It introduces Miniwiz, a company that focuses on recycling plastic and implementing circular economy principles. The causes and effects of plastic pollution are explored, along with an explanation of the Circular Economy. The report also evaluates how Miniwiz is performing based on the six characteristics from the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report.

Ethics
Sustainability and
Social Impact

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Define plastic pollution and explain why it is seen as one of the greatest threats to the
sustainability of the planet.......................................................................................................3
Introduce the company you have chosen to evaluate and explain how you are going
to address the topic in this essay...........................................................................................3
The causes and effects of plastic pollution...........................................................................3
Effects of plastic pollution, you should consider impact on the following: the planet, for
example, the oceans , people’s health economy, wildlife...................................................5
Define and discuss the Circular Economy (CE)...................................................................5
Briefly introduce your chosen company (a signatory to the New Plastics Economy
Global Commitment, June 2019) and evaluate how it is performing based on the six
characteristics from the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report..................8
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The following report represents information about plastic pollution. A new company
naming Miniwiz that is using innovative strategies for recycling plastic and managing the
ecosystem. There is explanation of the Circular Economy.
Define plastic pollution and explain why it is seen as one of the greatest threats to the
sustainability of the planet
Plastic pollution is known as problem that is caused by the accumulation of various
plastic waste in the surrounding. There are basically primary plastics that includes
cigarette butts, bottle caps, plastic bottles, etc. on the other hand, secondary plastic
includes the degradation of the primary plastic wastes (Kirchherr, Reike, and Hekkert,
2017). The plastic pollution is defined as accumulation of plastic particles or objects in
the environment and these can negatively affect wildlife habitat, wildlife as well as
humans. Plastics are not expensive and they are durable. This causes high production
of plastic by humans.
Introduce the company you have chosen to evaluate and explain how you are going to
address the topic in this essay
The company chosen in this essay is Miniwiz. According to the owner of this company,
there is no thing which is known as trash. He believed that all old things can be turned
into something new. The scientists and engineers of Miniwiz invent approximately 1000
new sustainable materials and applications in their labs. A new innovative product
offered by this company is Trashpresso machine that is good example of sustainable
upcycling (Stahel, 2016). This is an upcycling plant of mobile which is transported in
containers to the customers.
The causes and effects of plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is known as the accumulating of particles and objects of plastic in
environment. There is huge amount of plastic produced every day and this is causing
pollution in environment. Plastic pollution is causing negative impact on animals, plants,
humans and the environmental system. The causes and effects of plastic pollution are
mentioned below

Causes of plastic pollution
Overuse - this is one of the main cause of the plastic pollution. As plastic is durable and
inexpensive, people use this for doing their daily jobs like ok while purchasing products,
taking boxes or other items to different places. Plastic bags are also easy to carry and
also plastic bottles are used by various people for drinking water (Korhonen,
Honkasalo, and Seppälä, 2018). Moreover, plastic eggs also present in some of the
clothes like polyester and this is major product used in the fashion industry.
 Incorrect disposal - there are several countries and most of them are
developing countries in which the disposal of plastic is done illegally. This is a
major issue as people and industries do not have knowledge about the adverse
consequences that this plastic can cause to the living beings. There are various
industries which are disposing their waste that includes large amount of plastic
products in water systems directly without treating it.
Sea accidents - this is also a cause for the plastic pollution and in this case there are
some cases in which shapes of lose their cargo (Zink, and Geyer, 2017). Few of these
contain plastic items and products. As the ship sinks, plastic products or items also get
into sea and this causes serious effect and cause pollution.
Effects of plastic pollution
Water pollution. - the main effect of plastic pollution is water pollution. When plastic
items are disposed of illegally in several water bodies they cause problem to the living
organisms of water or seas (Murray, Skene, and Haynes, 2017). sometimes humans
also consume fishes that are sick due to the plastic particles which causes
contamination of humans via food cycle.
 Global warming - it is also an effect that is caused by plastic pollution. In some
cases, plastic trash is burnt and this causes release of various harmful
substances in air. Discourses release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide
and this is a major problem for creation of global warming issues.
 Economic effects- plastic pollution causes severe effects on the economics.
Several countries as well as their governments have to spend huge amount of
money for combustion of plastic.

Effects of plastic pollution, you should consider impact on the following: the planet, for
example, the oceans , people’s health economy, wildlife
There is a very adverse effect on the planet due to the plastic pollution. This causes
harm to various organisms living in Marines. It is known that plastic can last forever in
environment and thus if plastic items are bags are thrown in water bodies, they can
harm the marine life (Lacy, and Rutqvist, 2016). There are several abundant fishing net
or plastic bottles that are killing fishes threw entanglement, suffocation, starvation and
strangulation. Plastic does not decompose and this can harm the sea animals.
According to statistics, there are more than 54% of marine mammals which are affected
by the plastic wastes thrown in oceans. There are also various coral species which are
starving because the digestive systems are blocked by the photosynthetic or
microplastic which are present in oceans. There is also harm to the human beings due
to plastic pollution. It is concluded that most of the plastic comes from fossil fuels. When
gas and oil are extracted, there is release of toxic substances into water and air. These
chemicals can how health of humans. This can cause neurological, developmental
toxicity, reproductive, cancer and weakness of immune system. This can also harm
other parts like eyes, skin, respiratory organs, brain or liver. When there is
transformation of fossil fuel into plastic additives then there is release of carsionogenic
substances in air which causes impairment of nervous system for reproductive system
(Preston, Lehne, and Wellesley, 2019). It is a major risk for communities and workers
which are doing job in refining and manufacturing companies. Also, when there is use of
plastic products then it may lead to injection for inhalation of huge amount of toxic
substances and microplastic substances. The waste management technologies of
plastic sometimes release toxic metals like mercury or lead. Exposure to the substances
human bodies and affect their tissues. Food chain is also contaminated if plastic
reaches the environment. When plastic particles degrade they are exposed to different
surface areas. This causes bad effect on health of individuals.

Define and discuss the Circular Economy (CE)
There is need of sustainable development and which has included destructive changes
for the way in which businesses as well as societies are organised. The model of
circular economy provides a new opportunity for the integration and innovation between
businesses, ecosystems, waste management and daily lives of individuals. According to
the circular economy model, there is a close gap between natural ecosystem and
production (Ghisellini, Cialani, and Ulgiati, 2016). This suggests that there should be
elimination of waste that includes biodegradable waste as well as non biodegradable
waste management. the use of chemical substances should be stopped and there must
be ways by which natural systems are used for generating the products and energy.
How circular economy is defined as industrial system which includes regenerative or
restorative design. the main objective of this is to minimise the use of non renewable
energies and diminish the use of toxic chemicals and substances within industries. This
AIMS for eliminating the waste by superior design of systems for materials, products.
The principle of circular economy Resources and energy are gold - according to the circular economy model,
there is aim of designing a new thing out of waste (Circular Economy,2020).
Circular economy consists of thought that waste is nothing and for attaining this
objective, there is need of designing product so that quality materials must be
used for making them. The type product cycles must be differentiated for
diminishing labour and energy.
 Following nature cycle and design - this model helps ine in creating difference
between biological as well as technical cycles. This theory suggests that there is
is occurrence of consumption when biological materials like linen, food are
involved in in system like composting or digestion. this is done by regenerating
the living systems like oceans or soil and ultimately e this is helpful in attaining
strategies like repairing, using, recycling and remanufacturing.
 All in with renewable energy - according to this principle, there is need of
energy for running the cycle. This energy must be renewable so that there is

diminished dependency on resource. This enables in increasing the resilience of
system.
Benefits of the circular economy model
The circular economy model provides benefits to the environment, economic and
business. These benefits are mentioned below –
Environmental benefits of the circular economy
 Fewer greenhouse gas emissions - aim and objective of circular economy is to
have a positive impact on ecosystem. This will help in in achieving success over
exploitation of natural resources. Circular economy will help in minimising the
greenhouse gas emission as there will be no use of harmful chemicals while
running systems. There is use of renewable energy in this economy which will
help in in emitting less harmful substances. There is use of energy efficient as
well as non toxic substances while manufacturing as well as recycling of the
products so there will be no emission of greenhouse gases.
Healthy and resilient soil - this model suggests that while farming, it is ensured that
essential nutrients are returned back to soil. This is done by using composting or
anaerobic processes (De Jesus, and Mendonça, 2018). This enables soft meaning of
land exploitation as well as natural ecosystem is is managed. When natural process is
used for farming then there is no chemical residue used in soil which helps in making
the soil more healthy and fertile. The actual statistics of the circular economy model
working in Europe food system. Here, the use of artificial fertilizers is diminished and
thus the fertility of soil as well as natural balance of soil is maintained properly.
Economic benefits of circular economy
 Increased potential for economic growth- this model helps in resource
consumption which enables to decouple the growth of economy. Circular
economy helps in enhancing the revenues which are generated within the
activities. Also the manufacturing of materials and products in this economy is
lesser and it has the opportunities for increasing the GDP.
 Lot of resources are saved - the use of circular economy model helps in in
having the potential of material savings. when the population is increasing, there

is more demand of materials and items which will include the the increased
demand of recycling and making those materials are items which can last longer.
 Growth in employment - due to the circular economy model, there are
development of taxation regulation and labour market regulation which is bringing
a a great opportunity for increasing the employment in local areas.
Benefits to business
 New profit opportunities - this is helpful in minimising input costs. There are
several opportunities for generating profits by establishing business in new
markets and cutting the cost by energy reductions and waste management.
 Volatility reduction and safeguard supplies - this model helps in minimising
Raw materials which are being used. This is helpful in reusing and recycling of
the products which is helpful in sharing labour costs. In this way, business can
work in more resilient Manner.
Briefly introduce your chosen company (a signatory to the New Plastics Economy
Global Commitment, June 2019) and evaluate how it is performing based on the
six characteristics from the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report
The chosen company is Miniwiz. This company was founded in the year 2005 buy
structural and architectural engineers naming Jarvis liu and Arthur.Huang. the main
objective of the company makers is to analyse the great disparity between recycling,
sustainability as well as eco consciousness (Leising, Quist, and Bocken, 2018). Asus
was lacking the financial feasible applications so they worked on this to provide a good
environment to live in. Miniwiz is known for developing the breakthrough project naming
HYmini which was a a groundbreaking portable solar, wind and hand crank power
generator. This was made from the recycled electronic waste plastic and post consumer
recycled paper. This company is known as the technology in the category of using
renewable energy. This organisation is emphasizing on turning the post-consumer
waste into tu high performance items so that there is flow of circular economy. Due to
this approach, this company is receiving many famous awards and getting media
attention for innovating and recycling products. Mission of this company is to to provide
the world with numerous potential of trash and taking the recycle material to its highest

type of of engineering. The new plastics economy global commitment is a a aspect that
connects governments, businesses and other organisations towards a common goal
which takes care of plastic pollution and waste. The owner of this foundation is Ellen
macarthur. This was launched in October 2018 and there are approximately 400
organisations that have common vision of the circular economy for plastics. there are
several Government and business organisations which are contributing to the global
commitment of eliminating the use of plastic items and innovating the plastic into a new
recycled and reusable product. This will help in minimising the plastic pollution from
environment
 There are various organisations that have endorsed to common vision of the
circular economy for plastics renewable energy and waste. there is need of
recognising the version which will offer a root cause solution to plastic pollution.
The six type of characteristics defined by the circular economy are defined
below-
 This suggests that there is elimination of unnecessary plastic packaging by the
innovation, redesign as well as New delivery models which should be the priority
of these organisations. In context of Miniwiz, this company has developed a
machine trashpresso which will help in sustainable up cycling. This is an
upcycling plant of mobile that will be provided to customers through containers.
 In the second type of characteristic, there is need of reusing models for reducing
the need of single use packaging. This means that Miniwiz has to improve the
recycling which is a crucial process and it cannot be recycle the way in which
plastic issues are currently faced by the environment. The use business models
are explode as a a preferred in a loop that will reduce the need for single use of
plastic packaging.
 The third characteristic includes that the plastic packaging must be 100%
recyclable, reusable and compose table. For doing so, there is need of
combination of various innovation and redesigning of business models, materials,
technologies and packaging design. Mitwiz is involved in ensuring that the plastic
packaging is 100% recyclable.

 According to this, plastic packaging is recycled, used and composted in practice.
This means that there should be no end up in the environment of the plastic. All
the materials used while processing should be plastic free e and the packaging of
plastic that is used must be recycled label so that there is no harm to the
environment. Thus Mitwiz is offering the trash presso in containers.
 According to this characteristics, the use of plastic should be decoupled from the
consumption of finite resources. This must occur at first place has it will help in
minimising the use of virgin plastic. It is very important to use the recycled
content as it is useful in technical or legal process. Mitwiz has to use the recycled
content for decoupling the finite feedstocks as well as for stimulating the demand
for recycling and collection. Recycling and production of product must be done by
using renewable energy as it will help in creating very less pollution.
 This suggests that plastic packaging should be free from the use of hazardous
substances and chemicals. It is the right for individuals as it is ensured that the
packaging should not provide any harm to the health and safety of people that
are consuming the product. Mitwiz is ensuring that there is no use of hazardous
chemical in the packaging as well as the recycling and manufacturing process is
eliminated. Also it is ensured that the plastic system is not having health for
safety of any individual.
Conclusion
Plastic pollution is a major issue faced by world today. This is one of the top threat
to the world today. This is harming the ecosystem of oceans badly. According to the
statistics and estimations, it is examined that approximately more than 1 ton of plastic is
added to the oceans every year. This causes deaths of hundreds and thousands of
aquatic life organisms and plants. There are millions of dollars that government has to
put for managing this problem. Thus, there is concept of The new plastics economy
global commitment which provides advice for doing good work and not polluting the
environment. The root cause of environment pollution is usage of plastic. As this
product is durable and cheap, people use this in their daily life activities. The usage of

plastic also provide significant societal benefits like consumer protection, energy
savings, healthcare innovations, etc. Plastic products conduct release toxins and by
food chains of marine causes threat to public health, wildlife, fishing industry. The use of
plastic has to be minimised so that work is done properly. The population of world is
growing and this causes amount of garbage which are produced. Plastic pollution is
developed when there is large amount of plastic developed in the area. This causes
negative affect on the environment. This creates problems for wildlife, plants as well as
the health population. This is a useful material but it is developed from toxic products.
This causes illness and this is developed from toxic substances. There must be
development of various strategies and plans for the organisations. This is helped in
managing the ecosystem.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Kirchherr, J., Reike, D. and Hekkert, M., 2017. Conceptualizing the circular economy:
An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, conservation and recycling, 127,
pp.221-232.
Stahel, W.R., 2016. The circular economy. Nature, 531(7595), pp.435-438.
Korhonen, J., Honkasalo, A. and Seppälä, J., 2018. Circular economy: the concept and
its limitations. Ecological economics, 143, pp.37-46.
Zink, T. and Geyer, R., 2017. Circular economy rebound. Journal of Industrial
Ecology, 21(3), pp.593-602.
Murray, A., Skene, K. and Haynes, K., 2017. The circular economy: an interdisciplinary
exploration of the concept and application in a global context. Journal of
business ethics, 140(3), pp.369-380.
Lacy, P. and Rutqvist, J., 2016. Waste to wealth: The circular economy advantage.
Springer.
Preston, F., Lehne, J. and Wellesley, L., 2019. An Inclusive Circular Economy. Priorities
for Developing Countries.
Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C. and Ulgiati, S., 2016. A review on circular economy: the
expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic
systems. Journal of Cleaner production, 114, pp.11-32.
De Jesus, A. and Mendonça, S., 2018. Lost in transition? Drivers and barriers in the
eco-innovation road to the circular economy. Ecological economics, 145,
pp.75-89.
Leising, E., Quist, J. and Bocken, N., 2018. Circular Economy in the building sector:
Three cases and a collaboration tool. Journal of Cleaner production, 176,
pp.976-989.
Online
Circular Economy.2020.[Online].Available through:<
https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-circular-economy-meaning-definition-
benefits-barriers/>