The Global Plastic Bottle Crisis

• Approximately 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide
• Nearly 500 billion plastic bottles are used annually around the world
• The global recycling rate for plastic bottles is only about 9-10%, significantly lower than Israel’s one-third (33%) rate
• By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight if current trends continue
• The average plastic bottle takes at least 450 years to decompose completely
• About 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters our oceans every year
• In the United States alone, approximately 60 million plastic bottles are thrown away daily
• The production of plastic bottles requires significant petroleum resources – about 17 million barrels of oil annually just to meet U.S. demand

These statistics highlight the global plastic waste crisis and the urgent need for improved recycling infrastructure, alternatives to single-use plastics, and consumer awareness about plastic consumption.

While this small cap, weighing barely a few grams, may seem insignificant – its accumulation creates a mountain of plastic that will remain with us for hundreds of years.

Chess as Environmental Statement:

Chess, on the other hand, has survived for more than 1500 years with almost no changes. The same 32 pieces, the same rules, the same elegant battle on the board. And here, when connecting these two worlds – between the unnecessary caps and the ancient game – something new is created. Not just a game, but also a small reminder that sometimes the most creative solutions are right under our noses.