Environmental Ethics and Recycling of Packages - Research Paper Example

Environmental Ethics & Recycling of Packages Environmental Ethics & Recycling of Packages Environmental issues refer to the harmful and destructive aspects that occur due to natural disasters or release of contaminants, as a result of human activity in the environment. These issues have a profound impact on the lives of natural habitat, human beings and climatic changes that are taking place on earth. In this regard, the role of humans with respect to the environment is important to analyze that are giving rise to these hazards. The main focus is environmental obligations to increase the standard of living and recycling of used products through appropriate packaging to promote healthy ecosystems. “Environmental Ethics” relate to ethical and moral standing, which provides recognition of distinguishing characteristics of environment.1 Ethical Approaches to study Environmental Issues It is important to initiate such programs through which these environmental issues are addressed and taking such measures that can reduce their adverse effects. Hence, there is a need to have be proactive and be able to understand the human’s role concerning preservation of environment and natural habitat. There is an anthropocentric code of ethics, which takes into consideration, the moral aspects of a human being with environment. However, few thinkers argue that the code of ethics should not just be focusing on the human element, but it should also have moral standing and sentiments for animals and natural habitat. This is necessary in order to conserve the natural resources like river, lakes and other species of ecosystems.2 My ethical standing on these environmental issues is based on the different approaches of scholars. It has been noticed that the environmental issues, which are occurring, have a deep impact on human beings. The pollution, whether it is air, water or land diminishes the health of the individuals, the depleting effect of natural or even manmade resources are affecting the living standard of individuals specially the human beings. In some cases, if there is a reduction of natural sources of herbs and plants then it gives rise to reduction of potential natural medicines for various diseases. In the same way, if there is a natural disaster it affects our homes and living. This approach is anthropocentric which are concerned with cause and effects of nature and environment on human beings.3 In the contrary, there is a “non-Anthropocentric approach” to environmental ethics, which also takes into consideration of other factors of Eco systems like animals, flora and Fiona. It is necessary that while one remains focused on how the environment is having an effect on human beings, it is also essential to have some moral or ethical standing towards the other species of ecosystem. Animals also have the capacity to feel pleasure and pain. So while having an understanding of these attributes, it will help us to be more committed and obligated towards preservation of wild life and natural habitat. Besides, anthropocentrism and non-anthropocentrism there are two other important components of ethical standing in environment; biocentrism and eco-centrism. Biocentrism refer to the outlook of an individual concerning with any characteristic feature of an individual or any other species. However, eco-centrists do not associate any biological characteristic of individual for any ethical standing.4 Ethical Standing of Environmental Issues in terms of Bio-centrism and Eco-centrism When the subject of preservation of the environment is addressed, the bio-centrists and eco-centrists give their opinion based on their ethical or moral standing on the subject. While addressing environmental issues and understanding the problems associated with them it is hard to relate it with biocentrism, reason being, in my opinion that through this approach, we need to consider each and every aspect or characteristic of an individual which is hard to carry out in practice. There are rapid abrupt changes coming in the environment like global warming, extinction of various species, land and water pollution that it is difficult to define and relate each of their characteristic features to study environmental crises. The other term “eco-centrism” has a different understanding. Through this approach, they do not focus of characteristics but rather provide understanding on non-individual entities like a total system of various species like; land, water, air and other natural habitat of ecosystem.5 The environmental issues are diverse. The characteristic features of human beings and other non-human elements like land and water, all of them need to be studied in terms of issues presiding. Neither of them can exist without each other. The social development in society is the product of all the elements. The biotic community adds a new understanding of their roles concerning environmental ethics hence, it is our obligatory role to address the issues by identifying causes, effects and make recommendations to reduce the root of the problems lying in the environment.6 It is due to the activities of individuals that make them responsible for an increase in environmental issues. Hence, it is necessary that individuals take these issues seriously and the preservation of the natural environment is made essential to provide better lifestyles to human beings and also for the welfare of the animals and forests.7 To understand the concept environmental ethics, the views of anthropocentrism, non-anthropocentrism, bio-centric and eco-centric supporters are taken for moral standing. However, all these scholars are working to minimize environmental issues and safe guard lives of every organism. In order to provide protection to wild life and natural habitat it is necessary that there is an understanding in which the state provides relief to these issues and takes it upon itself to be equitable and accountable to the factors that are causing constraints in the environment. The state needs to establish ways through which they are able to conserve and restore environmental integrity by developing international law that recognizes and supports preservation of natural resources.8 The radioactive elements and chemicals from industries need to be disposed off to isolated areas. There is a need of appropriate waste management and safe and secured environment protecting the health of human beings as well as other living species. Environmental Hazards: Packages One of the important focus of house hold waste is the use and packages. It is one of the most urgent problem of our society as these packages are now regarded as a symbol of waste. Still, one cannot imagin to carry their house hold activitues without their use. Packages are mostly used for various long distance shipping reasons, as well as provides freshness of goods and prevention of spoilage. It has been seen that the use of packages have become more in developed counntries as compared to less developed counrties. However, some individuals argue that few elements of packages consisting of exotic or composite materials which are harmful to natural habitat. It has been found that ninty percent of waste found in oceans are plastic. The marine life is deeply affected by this. Most of them are consuming plastics and when human beings eat these aquatic animals, they are consuming plastics also. Hence it is necessary to stop polluting the ocean and rivers with plastics. The various packaging brands are growing day by day but the reduction of these packages during their manufacturing are only in terms of its material and weight and not on its use. In order, to reduce the adverse effects of packaging, the problems associated with it need to be discussed. Packages, which are not reutilized for recycling, may use landfill capacity in terms of land pollution.9 Wastages of packages are an important feature of “landfill crises” which is a term referred to an environmental issue in which the disposal capacity of wastage in the land exceeds their limit. It has been analyzed that with time, these spaces of landfill are rapidly decreasing hence creating problems to waste disposal.10 Most of these packages material like fast-food styrofoam and aseptic packages are found littered on public places and other rural areas instead of being disposed off to the proper place. This causes additional problems like damaging impacts which can be different forms like; injuries caused by broken glass, blockage in drainage and sewage systems and may also cause damaging results to animals or livestock. There can be other health related issues as well. This problem of littering and pollution is more disturbing than landfills. Besides the health issues associated with packaging, it may also have a bigger visual effect on individuals. It is necessary that there are more studies conducted in this field so that a compehensive picture of impacts of packaging on the environment can be identified along with empirical details of environmental issues. It is also necessary to associate packages in terms of material which is used in their manufacturing. Not all packaging is bad, it is essential to avoid few materials in packages and use appropriate materials which can be recycled. Environmental issues pertaining landfills due to pollution need to be addressed, taking effective measures to maintain the biosphere, the bio diversity also to obtain yield from living natural resources.11 In order to utilize wastage, a process called which is called “recycling”, discussed below; Recycling & Packaging Recycling refers to a process in which materials can be broken down or remade into new products so that they can reused and utilized in the benefit of individual, industrial or commercial purposes. Most of the solid waste, which is municipal solid waste coming from homes and commercial use, are better recycling objects specially the packaging materials. The food and drink containers can be cleaned and reutilized for use and also resold to prevent wastage. In the same way, used office paper can be converted into new office paper. In some cases, paper can also be made of rocks with twenty percent of plastic in it. The used foamed polystyrene can converted into a new one. They can also be recycled and converted into picture frames, constructive molding and other decorative materials. There are specific laws that entitle a company to recycle used materials by establishing collection and recycling obligations.12 Significance of Recycling Recycling is essential, as it is providing a breakthrough by reutilizing those products, which are not biodegradable. Most of the products that are bought are made of materials, which may cause wastage if they are not reused. These products are made from raw materials like wood and through recycling of these products rainforests can be preserved. Moreover, in the production of new products a lot of energy is used, whereas, recycling requires less energy and is also cost effective. The wastage also takes a lot of space and with growing time, the landfills sites are accumulated with wastages, hence it is necessary that these materials are recycled and utilized in an effective way.13 Stages of Recycling There are three stages of recycling; the first being collecting and sorting, through which the wastes are sorted out and categorized into bio-gradable materials like plants and animal matter from natural surroundings which can be broken down and made into the soil, and other man made material which are not bio-degradable like plastics, metals and glass. This non-biodegradable waste can be recycled into decorative or building structures and be reutilized for other domestic purposes.14 After sorting and collecting the materials they are manufactured into reusable items or products. The last stage involves reselling of these manufactured products.15 Recycling through packaging In order to reuse materials it is necessary that packaging is encouraged and such materials are used which are lighter in terms of weight and such systems are developed through which packages are either returned or collected for recycling after their sorting. There is also a need that every country promotes the concept of recycling and packages that are made of recycled materials. Through this system the environmental pollution can be somewhat controlled and the issues be minimized.16 The packages from food material contain contaminated substances, which are difficult to recycle so they need to be disposed off. Hence, for this reason, plastic is mostly compared with other materials, which can be used for food or drinking commodities like glass items which are returnable, like water bottles. They are best used for recycling. Very few raw materials are used in the packaging of products, less energy constraints and also lower costs of production.17 Besides plastic and water bottles, which are used, most of the drink cartons can also be recycled and used in packaging. Moreover, it is more convenient to reuse bottles and jars at home to save these resources.18 Reduction of Environmental Issues through Recycling and Packaging It is necessary that people take this responsibility on themselves to preserve the Ecosystem and the biophysical aspects of the environment. In order to accomplish this, the environmental issues need to be addressed and such measures should be taken through which we can re-utilize waste products for our environment. Even though most of the wastage cannot be recycled but there is a need to promote recycling for a healthier environment. When individuals are purchasing grocery or other items, it is necessary that individuals avoid buying a lot of packaging materials, which are consisting of polystyrene, as they cannot be recycled. It is better if glass jars or tins are bought. There should also be systems or collection outlets through which reusable materials can be collected. Most of all the plastics used in packages are made from complex compounds so the toxic combinations should be avoided and be replaced with chorine free plastic packaging. Through understanding of these elements we can somewhat provide assistance in reducing few environmental issues. Through these procedures and waste management we can utilize hazardous and non hazardous substances in a recycling plan which would encourage a cleaner environment of our society and minimizes the adverse affects of these wastages to human life and other living organisms.19 Conclusion It is necessary such precautionary steps are taken, which have a profound impact on minimizing health risk in the environment, for this reason we discussed our ethical understanding in terms various studies which are conducted to reduce these issues. We have underlined a basic tool through which we can achieve this impact; recycling and packaging. Through this paper, we have analyzed that how packaging can be made a tool of recycling. The choice of materials used in packaging material can be focused; using better product composition can minimize the adverse effects of bad materials in packages and these packages can be recycled so that the role of waste management entities be minimized and managed effectively.20 Reference List Attfield, R. (1999). The Ethics of the Global Environment. Edenburg: Purdue University Press. Buckingham, S., & Turner, M. (2008). Understanding Environmental Issues. London: SAGE. Frank, A. (1997). Environmental Impacts Of Packaging In the U.S. And Mexico. Ackerman, Environmental Impacts 1, 1-10. Harris, F. (2012). Global Environmental Issues. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons. Ortleb, E. P. (1986). Environmental Issues. Dayton: Lorenz Educational Press. Read More