Plastic is a protean material that's extensively used and adaptable. Because of its character of affordability, inflexibility, and continuity, it’s employed in various products, including electronics, medical outfits, consumer goods, and packaging.
Plastic waste refers to any abandoned plastic that's useful life is end. Almost 7.2 billion plastic waste existed in nature from the beginning and needed 200 years to recycle at the current rate (9%). Plastics take longer to biodegrade and turn into microplastics that jeopardize ecosystems and wildlife that makes plastic waste one of the major Global Problem.
It became an unavoidable problem in Bangladesh. Plastics are clogging drains and waterways is a critical issue, especially in urban areas, like Dhaka, Chittagong, and Cox’s Bazar.
Chittagong is one of the largest & port cities, one of the main hotspots for plastic pollution in Bangladesh. Chaktai, Rajakhali, and Tulatuli Canal are the major drainage systems in Chittagong that passes stormwater through it & meets with Karnaphuli. However plastic waste Blocks canals and drains that prevent proper water flow, causing waterlogging. As a coastal city, Chittagong contributes significantly to plastic waste entering the Bay of Bengal that breaks down into microplastics.
People through plastic waste to the environment for lack of awareness. Growing public awareness is necessary to reduce generating new plastic waste. Though recycling is a convenient solution of existing plastic waste, improper recycling system is obstacle of it. If plastic sorting and recycling are done in the right procedure one water bottle will returns same that reduce the pressure on virgin plastic and served by existing.
“Upcycling” is the creative process of transforming unused materials into products of higher value or quality, can be a solution. Creating the value of plastic upcycling will makes the waste into an asset. By using the concept, it is tried to upcycle public awareness to reduce plastic pollution & keep the workers motivated.
There are several ways by which different types of plastic waste can be recycled. By following a few specific ways plastic waste can be recycled very efficiently. Such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP can be recycled. It should follow the process for recycling.
1. Firstly, they have to go through label removal.
2. Then it passes through a shredder where plastics are turned into small chips called plastic flakes.
3. Thirdly the flakes go through a hot wash where the plastic flakes are washed.
4. Then it goes through a sink float tank. Here plastics are floated & heavy unwanted material are sink.
5. Then, it goes through a rotatory dryer to dry.
6. Then an optical sorting machine differs plastics by color.
7. Finally, it goes to a granule-making machine and makes granules.
PVC & other types of plastic are not eligible for recycling. It is very harmful for the workers & environment for recycling. They have to go through wash & reuse. If it is not eligible for reuse for the same purpose it will go for upcycling. In this process, it will be reused for different purposes that grow the value of the waste from the previous. It is done fully by craftmanship, Not machinated/factory work.
Polystyrene/ PS needs different types of recycling systems. It is recycled by reverse chemicalization. By using acetone Polystyrene gets compact.
1. Firstly, it has to go through shedder,
2. Then it goes through a polystyrene compactor.
3. After that it will go through the grainer that will make the polystyrene chips.
After all of this, those plastics are not eligible for anything before they go for pyrolysis. Here 85% fuel, 5% black carbon & 10 percent purified CO2 will be found.
These elements are composed and synchronized in the production unit. By focusing on the production unit Public is invited willingly to the complex to grow public awareness. It is the major concern to grow public awareness without having any interruption on Production work.
The whole complex is divided into two segments. They are the Industrial & Public segment. The industrial segment is divided into 3 sub-segments. They are the Admin Section, Workers Section, and Production Section. These three segments are fully connected. The public section is added here, without any physical connection. Here public section helps to explore people's outdoor recreational facilities. There is a facility for commercial activity where the public can see and explore the products that are produced in this complex & can buy them. The space work as a material bank cum marketplace. Here people also can sell plastic waste that they would collect or save. The complex also helps to explore the exhibition space where they have an opportunity to gain knowledge about the harm of plastic pollution. People can enjoy rooftop recreational activities from where they can see the factory works. A double helix public experience ramp helps to explore the loop. 3R library & VR zone provide the scope of gaining knowledge & virtual experience of the plastic problem & its solution. It gives a conclusion of the journey of the whole complex. The complex has two turfs that take a step to solve urban needs. The public facility helps to grow different types of indoor, semi-outdoor & outdoor workers’ facilities are provided here. Dining, indoor & outdoor paying space, Daycare, prayer hall, sleeping area, etc. are found here.
The production unit is maintained well-ventilated & lighting. The maximum depth of the wings is 50-55 ft. It is maintained to solve the ventilation & lighting needs of the production unit. It makes the work environment well. The interior space is in touch with the exterior space. Workers can take short breaks of 5 minutes and can enjoy outdoor refreshments. That will boost their energy & proved helpful to get productive work from them. As there is enough accessibility to escape, workers will reach to safe zone if there is any risk or hazard. A proper facility or fire hydrant is provided for safety.
To keep the environment cool different types of passive cooling technology are used in this complex. Windcatcher & Earth air tunnel is introduced here. By using an earth air tunnel temperature decreases by 10-12 degrees Celsius. It reduces energy consumption by 15% and saves electricity bills up to 10%. It is fully environment friendly. Windcatcher is very efficient for passive cooling though it is old. It can reduce the temperature inside the house by 8 to 12 °C (14 to 22 °F) in comparison to the outdoor temperature. It reduces almost 23% of energy consumption.
The project provides us with several benefits. Economic benefits are one of the important parts of this project. The price of recycled plastic is only 58% of virgin plastic. It provides 170% profit to the Plastic waste recycling sector. The project can produce 25 tons of plastics per day. Almost 1.25 million taka is saved every day by producing equivalent products.
The project can make a great contribution to reducing plastic waste in Chittagong. The total generated plastic waste in Chittagong is 249 tons/day of which 56% (139.4 tons/day) is not recycled. The factory recycled 25 tons/day (18%). Around 6 recycling complexes can recycle all plastic waste. This type of prototype factory can be installed in different areas in different cities according to needs. It is possible to reduce generating plastic waste & recycle existing plastic waste by establishing the prototype idea globally.
Plastic waste is one of the major problems in the world. But without plastic, it isn't easy to live nowadays. Its longevity & durability did us benefited. But it also proves harmful to us. Now we find plastic waste from the ocean to the sky. It has become a global problem that makes us sufferers. Recycling all the plastic is the best way to solve plastic waste. Public awareness is also essential for it. Different ways of plastic waste recycling are combined in this project that efficiently recycle all types of plastic. Architecture is played as an element to get people to explore & learn about the harm of plastic waste with their solution. The architecture is designed with consideration of well natural lighting & ventilation. Different types of indoor, semi-outdoor & outdoor facilities are considered for Workers. It will keep workers motivated for work & upcycled for everyday work. The complex will provide economic, social, and environmental benefits that will make us benefit. This idea will work as a prototype for the different areas according to their need. It will make the public aware of generating less plastic waste, recycling existing plastic, and reducing the use of virgin plastic.
