INRTU supported the Association "Baikal without Plastic"
INRTU signed a memorandum of the Association "Baikal without Plastic". The main objective of the organization is to help reduce the use of disposable plastic in the central ecological zone of the Baikal nature area and the Baikal regions.
Prospects for cooperation were discussed by Ilya Uimanov, manager of "Baikal without Plastic" Association, Mikhail Korniakov, rector of INRTU, Aleksandr Kononov, Vice-Rector for Research, Elena Zelinskaia, professor of the Department of Mineral Processing and Environmental Protection, Vadim Balabanov, head of the Department of Road Networks.
The parties noted the relevance of the topic because the State Duma has approved a bill banning the sale of plastic bags and utensils near Baikal. The Association intends to attract public attention to the garbage problem at Baikal. The most significant problem is the pollution of the lake with plastic because of irresponsible spontaneous tourism.
Ilya Uimanov said, "This is a very relevant story. The plastic world has won; the main trouble in Baikal is tons of fishing nets. Microplastic is of particular concern. It hardly decomposes in natural conditions; it cannot be recycled, and most importantly, there are no precise methods to trace and remove it from ecosystems.
Community should change, and business needs to find a way to use and recycle plastic waste. Everything depends on the economy."
Members of the Association "Baikal without Plastic" stand for the immediate development of measures to withdraw disposable plastic products in the central ecological zone of Baikal nature area. The Association believes it is necessary to provide Baikal regions with infrastructure of separate waste collection, develop recycling systems and promote ecological culture among the population and tourists.
Ilya Uimanov said that the Association creates four committees on education, business, legislation, science and technology. Irkutsk Technical University is invited to lead the direction related to science and technology.
According to Aleksandr Kononov, INRTU can offer two technological options for the use of plastic. It is possible to use it as a modifying additive in the production of modern materials and in road construction.
The specialists of the department of road transport carry out the research of polymer-bitumen binder compositions for road construction and repair in Irkutsk region. They successfully cooperate on the use of polymers with road constructors of the region. The university has a number of patents in the field of oil bitumen modification.
Vadim Balabanov emphasized that previously INRTU employees used expensive high-quality plastic for research purposes, but the possibility of using microplastic waste in different layers of road pavements can also be considered.
The Association takes on the task to find customers to finance the costs of research.
En+ Holding, RT-NEO Irkutsk, Irkutsk State University, Sberbank, Slata, Grand Baikal, Zapovednoye Pribaikalye, "Give Life to the Planet" charity fund and Baikal Nature Reserve are the members of the Association "Baikal without Plastic".
