Recently, plastic pollution of the ocean has been garnering increasing attention. The United Nations considers the problem as a major issue, and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a global "Clean Ocean" campaign. An estimated 51 trillion plastic particles can be found in our oceans, and the pollution has caused plastics to enter the food chain. This study investigates the life cycle of recycling waste PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles in the ocean to the regeneration of recycled raw materials in the process of producing blankets made from such materials. First, the activity data of the relevant literature was collected, and the life cycle assessment software Open LCA was used as the assessment tool. We assume that the functional unit is 1 kg of recycled PET bottles. Secondly, with the ILCD 2011 Midpoint impact assessment method for environmental impact analysis, we identify the impact of pollutants generated during the recycling process on the environment as follows: Photochemical ozone formation 7872256.41218/ kg NMVOC eq; Freshwater ecotoxicity 240566129.10051/ CTUe; Human toxicity, cancer effects 120.28305/ CTUh; Human toxicity, non-cancer effects 1.53496/ CTUh. Finally, we conduct risk assessment using the 3E (Engineering, Environment and Economic) assessment model, and propose an overall recovery treatment optimization assessment model.
Due to human over-exploitation, global wetland areas have been degraded and are disappearing due to human over-exploitation. The service value of wetland ecosystems has no market and is frequently ignored. Jinshan Qing Shui Wetland is in the north corner of Taiwan. It is a private inland wetland that is at risk of flooding. With the Jinshan Qingshui Wetland as a case study, the ARIES model was used as a research tool to select 4 types of currently well-established ecosystem service projects: "sediment regulation, soil carbon storage, net value of pollination, and net value of outdoor recreation." The results estimate that the annual value of "sediment regulation" is about US$26,915; the annual value of "soil carbon storage" is about US$1,246,370; the annual value of "net value of pollination" is about US$182,100; and the annual value of "net value of outdoor recreation" can reach US$1,199,253. The estimated value of the four items is about US$2.65 million. In addition, focus interviews with water conservancy experts, chiefs, and NGO groups were conducted; the Likert scale was used to analyze the views of different stakeholders on wetlands. Through evaluating the social, economic, and environmental value of wetlands, and through integrating the opinions of all stakeholders, this research provides the government with reference points to an overarching management plan of wetlands, with potential ecosystem service value.
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