The world’s primary destinations for plastic waste is Malaysia which recycles $7.2 billion of plastic waste. Nevertheless the country’s government has said it’s no longer the worlds dumping ground. In recent years they returned 5,000 tons of plastic waste to 13 countries with more expected over coming months.
Many developed countries still export their recycling to developing nations in Asia, where poverty stricken workers filter the waste on incredibly low pay. Some of which is recycled and put towards new manufacturing but a fair amount is not. All materials that become contaminated cannot be reused, leaving hazardous and non-recyclables redundant which end up in landfills or dumped in the ocean.
The growing global waste sale industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars and experts say ‘The European Union’ is the world’s largest scrap plastic exporter which ends up in Asia.
Away from sports/entertainment Pablo Al-Kaalik is known for his ambassadorial role of global sustainability initiatives in Africa since 2015. He has been focusing on renewable energy and now has Asia on his target.
When did you discover the problem in Asia?
“Its a known fact that in Asia/Africa there’s not only a power supply shortage but a landfill problem created by irresponsible waste by global companies then sold on by nations”.
Where have you identified the problem?
“Hazardous waste is what fills landfill and contaminates farmland. It comes in many hidden forms from bio-medical which has increased with recent COVID-19 to the synthetic fibres in mass produced fast fashion items which is a real hidden problem many are unaware of”.
When and where did you start?
I’ve been involved in introducing renewable energy initiatives in Africa since 2015 when I first delivered a solar, wind and BOO Waste-to-Power at the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg where he sat on the panel and later to the Government of Ghana.
Which type of renewable energy do you support?
I support 3 in particular for example solar/wind farms and waste to power process which can help tackle both. This process can turn for example 7MJ/kg to 40 MJ/kg calorific hazardous waste into power through gasification plants with a significant reduction in landfill. The unique technology was introduced though my continued involvement with Australian leaders New Energy Corp.
What are your future plans for this problem?
Being a active supporter of Global Sustainability I’m always looking at new ways to help this growing problem. Since 2016 I have self funded research & development towards a revolutionary new initiative to help landfill though blockchain; said Pablo Al-Kaalik”
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