Public Perceptions of Legislative Action on Reducing Plastic Pollution: A Case Study of Atlantic Canada

Government-led legislation is a key strategy to reduce plastic pollution; however, societal perception can heavily influence government intervention for environmental issues. To understand the public acceptability of government action to reduce plastic pollution, we examine the perception of existing and upcoming legislative action on single-use plastics by means of a structured survey with additional semi-structured interviews. Our focus is on the four Atlantic provinces of Canada, which was the first region in Canada to implement provincial-wide legislation for plastic reduction at the consumer level in 2019. Results show strong public support (77 %, n = 838) for bans on single-use plastic bags at the consumer level, and for further plastic pollution reduction legislation. However, the level of support differed between regions and by demographics. Semi-structured interviews show that decision-makers should increase efforts in raising consumer awareness and standardizing regulations across jurisdictions for smoother transitions prior to legislative action.

The Optimal Strategy of China’s Plastic Drinking Straws Ban Based on Consumer Heterogeneity and Retailer Competition

The Chinese government has issued a new “Plastic Restriction Ban” requiring that, by the end of 2020, the food and beverage industry across the country bans the use of single-use, nondegradable plastic drinking straws. The governance of plastic drinking straws is a multi-dimensional and complex process. Therefore, based on the heterogeneity of consumers, this paper constructs a tripartite game model (the government, retailers, and consumers) for the governance of plastic drinking straws in China. Under this model, this research derives an optimal strategy in both monopoly and competitive markets, assuming the government has access to two policy tools, fines and subsidies. The research results suggest the following. (1) In monopoly markets, when (a) the fine or subsidy fee is high or (b) the fine or subsidy fee is low and the number of environment-conscious consumers is high, retailers are more inclined to provide biodegradable drinking straws. (2) Consumer heterogeneity has a certain impact on policy results; when there are enough environment-conscious consumers, policy costs can be reduced. (3) For high-quality products, the policy costs in competitive markets is lower than in monopoly markets; for low-quality products, the policy costs in competitive markets is higher than in monopoly markets. Based on the conclusions, this work suggests the government should focus on cultivating consumers’ environmental awareness and tighter control of products quality, in addition to the two policy tools, i.e., fines and subsidies, because these can reduce policy costs. Consumers should be aware of their own importance to China’s Plastic Drinking Straws Ban and adopt a refusal to accept plastic drinking straws and reduce the consumption of disposable plastics to support the policy. Retailers should also realize that proactively catering to consumer and government expectations can bring higher benefits to themselves; this can be achieved by providing high-quality biodegradable straws to support China’s Plastic Drinking Straws Ban. The model of this work could be applied to other corporate activities related to sustainability, such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, etc., and their connection to government policies.

Hermetic Storage Technology for Food Grains: New Beginning of Organic and Safe Storage for Farmers and Consumers: A Review

The moisture content of grains, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in storage environment affects the storage life of food grains. The moisture content affects on storability of food grains severely, hence the storage structures must be provided with sufficient protection from moisture exchange between grain and atmosphere. The insect and pests grows very fast in presence of oxygen and moisture in the storage environment. The humid climate provides favorable conditions to moulds and insects to grow in most of the food grains and oilseeds. The grains exposed to these favorable environment further not useful for human consumptions. Many harmful chemicals like aflatoxins are formed in oilseeds and cereals. The emerging hermatic storage is highly effective technology to prevent the spoilage of grains without use of any harmful fumigants and chemicals, hence it is popularly known as organic storage technology. In this technology the flow of oxygen and water from external environment is fully controlled by impermeable, triple layer hermatic plastic bags.

Marine litter pollution along sandy beaches of Can Gio coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Marine debris is a significant threat to the marine environment, human health and the economy in Can Gio island, Vietnam. In this study, we conducted beach litter surveys to quantify and characterize marine litter from six beach transects in this region for the first time using the OSPAR beach litter monitoring guideline. A total of 29,456 items weighting 529,432 g was recorded from 12 surveys in two monitoring campaigns in December 2019 (dry season) and in June 2020 (rainy season). Plastic was the most abundant type of litter in terms of quantity (a total of 26,662 items) and weight (325,606 g), followed by paper and cardboard, cloth, wood, metal, glass and ceramics, rubber and other items. Meanwhile, ropes (less than 1 cm in diameter) and plastic bags accounted for the major parts of sampled plastic items, i.e., 20.18% and 14.46%, respectively. In general, a higher percentage of marine litter, particularly the fishing related items, was found in the rainy season than in the dry season, possibly due to increased fishing and aquaculture activities. In contrast, a reduction pattern of the single use plastics in the rainy season might be due to the decreased tourism activities during the Covid pandemic period. This study not only showed the magnitude of litter pollution, but also provided valuable information that could help decision making to better control and reduce marine litter in the region. In addition, insights from this study indicate that there is an urgent need to design collection, reuse and recycling programs in the area. The collected recyclables, specially plastics, will be a great source of materials for recyclers in a circular economy achieving sustainable development goals.

Pendugaan Umur Simpan Cabai Giling Menggunakan Metode Accelerated Shelf Life Testing dengan Pendekatan Arrhenius (Estimation of Shelf Life Ground Chillies Using Accelerated Shelf Life Testing Method with Arrhenius Approach)

<p>Untuk memperpanjang masa simpan cabai giling yang diperdagangkan, perlu dilakukan pengemasan sebaik mungkin sehingga tidak terkontaminasi mikroba. Di samping itu diperlukan informasi masa simpan untuk menjamin bahwa cabai giling sampai di tangan konsumen belum mengalami kerusakan dan masih layak dikonsumsi. Salah satu cara untuk menduga umur simpan secara cepat adalah dengan metode Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT), melalui pendekatan Arrhenius. Penelitian bertujuan menduga umur simpan cabai giling melalui pendekatan Arrhenius. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Laboratorium Pascapanen BPTP Sumatra Barat pada bulan Mei sampai dengan Oktober 2018. Penyimpanan dilakukan menggunakan kemasan botol plastik Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) dan kantong plastik PP 0,8 mm pada suhu 3ºC, 29ºC, dan 35ºC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa reaksi kinetika penurunan mutu cabai giling mengikuti ordo satu. Pendugaan umur simpan paling lama diperoleh pada perlakuan pemanasan cabai giling selama 25 menit kemudian dikemas dengan botol PET, disimpan pada suhu 3°C, yaitu 211,41 hari, dengan model matematika penurunan mutu Lnk =14,883-7154,67(1/T). Jika disimpan pada suhu 29˚C dan 35˚C masing-masing umur simpan hanya 53,26 hari dan 27,21 hari.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>Umur simpan; Pengolahan; Cabai giling</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>To extend the shelf life of traded ground chilies, good packaging is necessary in order not to be contaminated by microbes. In addition, information on shelf life is needed to ensure that the ground chillies that arrive at consumers have not been damaged and are still fit for consumption. One way to quickly estimate shelf life is by using the Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT) method, through the Arrhenius approach. The research aimed to estimate the shelf life of ground chillies through the Arrhenius approach. The research was conducted at the Postharvest Laboratory of BPTP West Sumatra from May to October 2018. Storage was carried out using Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and 0.8 mm PP plastic bags at temperatures of 3ºC, 29ºC, and 35ºC. The results showed that the reaction kinetics of quality deterioration of ground chillies followed order 1. The longest estimated shelf life was obtained in the heating treatment of ground chilies for 25 minutes then packed with PET bottles, stored at 3°C, that is 211.41 days, with a mathematical model of quality degradation Lnk = 14.883-7154.67 (1/T). If stored at 29oC and 35oC, the shelf life is only 53.26 days and 27.21 days, respectively.</p>

JUSTIFICATION OF METHODS OF POLYMERIC WASTE PROCESSING IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

The development of industry has led to the unlimited technological application of polymers, ranging from plastic bags, rubber, fabrics, paper and other materials. Displacing traditional materials, polymer products began to be used in agriculture. Polymers are used to make films for soil cover (mulching), anti-hail nets, shaft bushings, gears, body parts, tanks for storage and transportation of fertilizers and working fluids and many other parts. The operational properties of polymer products are becoming more and more perfect, but at the same time the methods of polymer waste management and their utilization are being developed and complicated. Over time, they can no longer be used for their intended purpose, so they are discarded and sent to landfills, while polymers are valuable structural materials and their reuse will not only be positive for the environment, but can also become a profitable branch of the agro-industrial complex. Pellet production is one of the methods of recycling polymer waste, which in the future can be used for the production of new parts, as well as added to the composition of composite materials based on organic or mineral fillers. This article examines the problem of recycling polymer waste by improving their processing technologies. The analysis of existing methods of utilization and processing of polymeric waste generated in agriculture is carried out. Determination of physical and mechanical properties of polymer waste, in particular thermoplastics. Taking into account the received information, conclusions are made and the analysis of methods of utilization and processing of polymeric waste in secondary raw materials is carried out.

Physiological response of sorghum seeds treated with Arsenicum album submitted to low temperature

Introduction: Temperature is one of the main environmental factors that act on plants, affecting physiological processes such as germination and vigor, growth, photosynthesis, water and nutrients uptake, among others [1]. When seeds are exposed to temperature stress during imbibition process occur dramatic changes in the reorganization and function of the plasma membrane impairing the stability and functional structure of the membrane resulting in the decrease on germination and embryo death [2][3]. In plant, stress triggers wide response that extends from the change of gene expression and cell metabolism to changes in growth rate and productivity. The organism’s reaction is a function of plant capacity to produce effects opposite to the action of stressors [4]. Aim: the purpose of this study was to evaluate high dilution effect of Arsenicum album on physiological variables of germination and growth of sorghum. Material and Methods: The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Physiology and Homeopathy at Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM. Arsenicum album 6x matrix was acquired in homeopathic laboratory. From matrix, other dilutions were prepared according to Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [5] with the homeopathic remedies prepared in distilled water (1/10) and succussed by 100 times in mechanical arm (50-Denise Model Autic). For cold test, 50 seeds were distributed on germitest paper moistened to 2.5 times the weight of paper under different dilutions of A. album (9, 12, 18, 24 and 30x) with four replications. The control consisted of distilled water. After sowing, the rolls were placed in plastic bags and sealed, and lead in BOD-chamber at 10°C for 7 days. After this period, the rolls were removed from plastic bags and transferred to BOD-chamber at (25 ± 2)°C, arranged at random where they remained for seven days. Germination percentage (GP%) were evaluated according to Rules for Seed Analysis [6]. The length of primary roots (LPR) and length of hypocotyl (LH) were determined only for seedlings. The total length seedlings (TLS) was calculated as the sum of the lengths of hypocotyl (LH) and primary root (LPR). The fresh biomass (FB) of the seedlings were obtained by removing from their cotyledons, and then weighed on an analytical balance. The dry biomass (DB) was obtained after drying at (80 ± 1)°C for 72h. The experimental design was completely randomized. We adopted the double-blind procedure, thereby avoiding possible researcher interference. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared by Scott-Knott (P≤ 0.05). Results: Seed exposure for seven days to cold stress at 10º C inhibited the germination percentage (GP%). Dilutions 9 and 18x showed the lowest germination percentage (Figure 1A). The cold inhibited the total length of hypocotyls (LH) the length of the seedlings (TLS), with the lowest values ​​observed in seeds treated with dilution 24x (Figures 1B and 1C). Fresh biomass production of seedlings (FB) also was reduced the dilutions 9, 12 and 24x (Figure 1D). Seedlings treated with the dilution 24x reduced the dry biomass production (DB) (Figure 1E). Conclusions: We can conclude that homeopathy Arsenicum album 24x reduced the germination percentage, the length, fresh and dry biomass of sorghum. Probably the cause of this reduction is the lower absorption/water content in the system. The reduction in water content can be the cause lower values ​​for the variables mentioned. However, the inhibitory action of the 24x dilution in water content is not yet known and will be one of the goals of future work.

Who Packed the Drugs? Application of Bayesian Networks to Address Questions of DNA Transfer, Persistence, and Recovery from Plastic Bags and Tape

When DNA from a suspect is detected in a sample collected at a crime scene, there can be alternative explanations about the activity that may have led to the transfer, persistence and recovery of his/her DNA. Previous studies have shown that DNA can be indirectly transferred via intermediate surfaces and that DNA on a previously used object can persist after subsequent use of another individual. In addition, it has been shown that a person’s shedder status may influence transfer, persistence, prevalence, and recovery of DNA. In this study we have investigated transfer persistence and recovery on zip-lock bags and tape, which are commonly encountered in drug cases and how the shedder status of the participants influenced the results. A probabilistic framework was developed which was based on a previously described Bayesian network with case-specific modifications. Continuous modelling of data was used to inform the Bayesian networks and two case scenarios were investigated. In the specific scenarios only moderate to low support for Hp was obtained. Applying a continuous model based on the profile quality can change the LRs.