Innovative solutions for plastic waste: reward-based recycling and alternative water bottle packaging

Abstract

The disposal of plastic materials from single-use bottles creates significant risks for our planet's sustainability as well as marine life and human well-being. The continuous production of over 400 million tons of plastic per year combined with unsatisfactory recycling statistics demands development of large-scale innovative solutions. This dissertation focuses on two promising approaches to reducing plastic waste in the bottled water industry: reward-based recycling and alternative packaging.