Identifying potentialities and perspectives in the use of plastic in Cuba, as well as socializing experiences in this area that contribute to reducing the environmental impact caused by pollution, are the objectives of the Plastic Action Week Event, which will be held in virtual and face-to-face, until June 24 at the Parque Central hotel in Havana.

Convened by the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Man, the meeting began this Monday and takes place within the framework of the tribute dedicated to the centenary of the tireless Cuban geographer.

The call for the Project What do we do with plastic in Cuba? of the Nature and Community Program aims to identify the life cycle of plastic and the various actors that participate in its value chain to create collaboration networks and facilitate synergies.

Promoting good practices, innovation, optimization of cycles, diversification in the use and recycling of plastic so that it is not thrown away are the objectives of this initiative.

Under the question The dilemma of plastic: ally or enemy?, this Tuesday two panels will be held, in the first the debates will be focused on the environmental impacts of the accumulation of plastic waste, and the second will deal with plastic and innovation Social.

As part of SEMAP 2022, on Wednesday the 22nd, the side event International Round Table “SOS. Plastics in Cuba”, in the Antilla Room of the Colonial Building, Parque Central Hotel.

This conclave that will also meet until the next 24, proposes a panel where they will reflect on the advances and challenges in the legal framework of plastic in Cuba, followed by the one dedicated to analyzing the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and how to mitigate them, among other themes.

On the opening day, the Panel: Plastic and technological innovation was developed, in which the engineer Jorge Luis de la Fuente, as part of the Hacker Recycler initiative, shared how to make pipes, fountains and other installations with recycled materials.

Similarly, the designer of Grupo Creativo Enganche, Mariana Vila, addressed the aspects to be taken into account when creating a product that is innovative, useful and durable, as well as the decisions that are made so that it has an ecological purpose.

See the virtual presentation of the Ceativo Enganche group

Maurice Haedo, from the Precious Plastic Laboratory in Havana, based in the Habana Espacios Creativos Building, presented his experiences about the existing capacities in groups and communities to motivate innovation practices, the recycling process with open source machines that allow access to modifications and encourage participation.

While Isabel Alfonso, from the Recycling Business Group, announced different products that arise from plastic waste, the established collection scheme, the actors involved in the process and warned about the absence of a selective collection system in our country.

Important contributions on how to promote the selective collection of urban solid waste was the proposal of Lisandra Couso from the National Design Office, who presented different stages of the proposal and the importance of raising awareness among the different social actors in pursuit of a healthier environment.

According to data from the United Nations Environment Program, the production of plastic soared from 2 million tons in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017, becoming a global industry valued at 522 thousand 600 million dollars, It is expected to double its capacity by 2040.

This organization warns that each year some 11 million tons of plastic waste reach the oceans, a figure that could triple by 2040. It also highlights that more than 800 marine and coastal species are currently affected by this pollution, since either by ingestion, entanglement or other hazards.