Tag: plastic pollution

Understanding the Global Plastic Pollution Crisis

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Overview of Plastic Pollution and the Role of the Global Plastics Treaty

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges our world faces today. It affects our oceans, rivers, land, and even the air we breathe. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the environment, creating serious problems for both people and nature. Let’s dive into the key facts about plastic pollution and the steps being taken to address it through the Global Plastics Treaty.

What is Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution happens when plastic waste escapes from managed systems like landfills and enters the environment. When this waste is no longer controlled, it becomes a major threat to ecosystems. Plastic pollution can be broken down into two types:

  • Macroplastics: These are larger pieces of plastic (greater than 5mm) like bottles, bags, and other visible plastic items.

  • Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles (smaller than 5mm) that often come from the breakdown of larger plastics.

How Much Plastic Waste is There?

In 2020, around 52.1 million metric tons of macroplastic waste entered the unmanaged environment. This is about 21% of all the plastic waste produced by cities and towns, also known as municipal plastic waste. Municipal plastic waste comes from homes, businesses, schools, and public spaces, according to a global emissions inventory study published in Nature​ (s41586-024-07758-6).

What is the Unmanaged Environment?

The “unmanaged environment” is any place where plastic waste is no longer being controlled. This includes uncollected waste, litter, and open dumping sites. Once plastic enters this environment, it can move freely and cause harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.

Why Does Open Burning Happen?

In many parts of the world, especially in developing countries, formal waste collection services are either unavailable or not sufficient. As a result, people resort to open burning of plastic waste as a way to get rid of it. Open burning is harmful because it releases dangerous chemicals into the air and contributes significantly to pollution.

Global North vs. Global South: Who’s Responsible?

When we talk about plastic pollution, the world is often divided into the Global North and the Global South:

  • The Global North includes wealthier, high-income countries like the United States, Western Europe, and Japan. These countries have better waste management systems and tend to have less uncollected waste.

  • The Global South includes developing countries in regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. These countries struggle with waste collection, and uncollected plastic waste is a major source of pollution.

Plastic Pollution Hotspots

Certain regions are considered plastic pollution hotspots due to their high levels of unmanaged plastic waste:

  • Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia have the highest levels of plastic pollution.

  • India is the largest global emitter, contributing nearly one-fifth of all plastic waste emissions, followed by countries like Nigeria and Indonesia.

  • In contrast, the Global North has lower levels of pollution because of better waste management practices, though littering is still a problem.

What is the Global Plastics Treaty?

The Global Plastics Treaty is a global agreement being negotiated under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to tackle plastic pollution. The treaty aims to reduce plastic waste, improve recycling, and promote better waste management worldwide. This treaty brings together representatives from governments, industries, scientists, and environmental groups to find solutions.

Negotiations began in 2023. The next Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meeting for the Global Plastics Treaty is scheduled for November 25–December 1, 2024 in Busan, South Korea. This meeting is called INC-5 and is expected to finalize the text of the treaty.

Why Does This Matter?

Plastic pollution has lasting effects on the environment and human health. Once plastic waste enters the environment, it can break down into microplastics, which are even harder to clean up. Without immediate action, plastic waste will continue to harm ecosystems, wildlife, and people.

Call to Action

Plastic pollution is a global issue that needs urgent attention. While some countries have made progress in managing their plastic waste, others face major challenges. The Global Plastics Treaty offers hope for coordinated global action to reduce plastic pollution and protect our planet for future generations. Tackling uncollected waste and improving waste management systems, especially in developing countries, will be key steps toward solving this crisis.

By understanding the sources and impacts of plastic pollution, we can all play a part in making our world a cleaner, healthier place.

The Global Plastic Crisis: Corporate Accountability & Reduction Strategies

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Photo of plastics near trees. Myanmar (Burma). Photo by Stijn Dijkstra, Pexels.

The global plastic pollution crisis, driven by major corporations, has reached alarming levels. The recent study “Global Producer Responsibility for Plastic Pollution,” published in Science Advances, reveals a direct link between corporate plastic production and the branded waste found polluting our planet.

Key Findings of Plastic Pollution and Corporate Influence

The study, conducted over five years (2018-2022) across 84 countries, with particularly robust coverage in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, analyzed over 1,500 brand audits to quantify the sources of plastic pollution. The findings are staggering:

  • Just 56 companies accounted for over 50% of all branded plastic pollution documented globally.

  • The top contributors include The Coca-Cola Company at 11%, followed by PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%), and Altria (2%).

  • There was a clear linear relationship between a company’s plastic production levels and the amount of its branded plastic pollution found in the environment.

  • Food and beverage companies producing single-use plastics were disproportionately higher polluters compared to their production volumes.

  • A startling 50% of the plastic pollution items found were completely unbranded. This highlights the need for improved labeling to identify polluter sources and hold companies responsible.

These results show evidence that major corporations are driving the global plastic crisis through their excessive production of disposable plastic products and packaging. Food and beverage companies, which produce many single-use plastic products, were disproportionately higher polluters relative to their production volumes compared to companies making longer-lasting household and retail products. 

There were noticeable gaps in data from regions like South America, central and north Asia, the Middle East, and central Africa.

Strategies for Reducing Corporate Plastic Pollution

To combat global plastic pollution effectively, the study suggests several strategies:

  • Phase out non-essential single-use plastics: Corporate polluters, especially the largest polluters identified, need to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic products.

  • Invest in alternative materials: Develop and utilize safer, sustainable materials.

  • Implement reuse and refill systems: Promote systems that reduce the need for single-use packaging and promote and alternative materials.

  • Maintain standards of transparency and accountability: Develop international standards for packaging labeling and branding.

The study also revealed that 50% of plastic pollution items found were completely unbranded, highlighting a critical lack of transparency and traceability. To address this, the researchers recommend the creation of an international, open-access database where companies would be required to report their plastic pollution – from production to waste.

By holding corporations accountable and compelling them to fundamentally shift away from single-use plastics, we can move towards tackling the plastic pollution crisis. This data-driven approach provides a clear roadmap for environmental activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens to demand urgent action from the world’s largest plastic polluters.

The Role of Transparency and Accountability

The study recommends creation of an open-access global database where companies must quantitatively track and report their plastic product and packaging data, as well as releases into the environment. 

There is yet no single, comprehensive global database that mandates reporting of all corporate plastic production and waste; however, there are several initiatives that aim to increase transparency and accountability.

  • The Global Commitment and Plastic Pact Network led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation requires members to track and report their progress on plastic waste reduction. The Plastic Disclosure Project also encourages companies to voluntarily report their plastic pollution.

  • The European Union has implemented directives requiring companies to report on packaging and waste. 

  • The Global Plastic Action Partnership also engages stakeholders to shape national action plans on plastic pollution.

  • Some countries have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, which requires producers to report on production, recycling, and waste management activities. 

Mobilizing Stakeholders for Action

The clear link established between corporate plastic production and environmental pollution underscores an urgent need for systemic changes in how plastic products are produced, used, and disposed of. With a significant portion of plastic pollution traceable back to a handful of major corporations, especially those producing single-use plastics, the path forward requires a combined effort of corporate innovation and robust governmental regulation. By focusing on extended producer responsibility and encouraging sustainable alternatives, we can significantly reduce plastic pollution and move towards a more circular economy. It is crucial for governments, corporations, and consumers to work together to implement these changes and preserve our environment for future generations.

No More Excuses

The era of excuses and inaction has ended. We must hold these corporations accountable for their contributions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Source: Cowger, W., Willis, K. A., Bullock, S., Conlon, K., Emmanuel, J., Erdle, L. M., Eriksen, M., Farrelly, T. A., Hardesty, B. D., Kerge, K., Li, N., Li, Y., Liebman, A., Tangri, N., Thiel, M., Villarrubia-Gómez, P., Walker, T. R., & Wang, M. (2024). “Global producer responsibility for plastic pollution.” Science Advances, 10(eadj8275).

Join the global movement: Combat plastic pollution this World Environment Day, June 5th

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Theme:Finding solutions to plastic pollution
Date:June 5th, 2023
Host:Côte d’Ivoire in collaboration with the Netherlands
Hashtags:#BeatPlasticPollution and #WorldEnvironmentDay

June 5th, 2023, will mark the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, which was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1973. This year, the event is anticipated to attract tens of millions of participants both online and through in-person activities, embodying the spirit of environmental advocacy.

Addressing plastic pollution

This year’s theme is focused on finding solutions to plastic pollution. The occasion underscores the consequences of actions and inaction taken by individuals, businesses, and governments in response to plastic pollution. It also highlights the pressing need to amplify these efforts and transition towards a circular economy. To assist in these efforts, a Beat Plastic Pollution Practical Guide is available, outlining steps to halt and reverse the detrimental effects of plastic pollution.

An urgent need

Our planet is in crisis, besieged by the overwhelming weight of plastic waste. Despite its numerous applications, plastic has become detrimental due to our dependence on single-use plastic products, which cause significant environmental and health issues.

As per the UN, globally, one million plastic bottles are bought every minute, up to five trillion plastic bags are used each year, and 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced annually. Approximately 36% of all plastic is used for packaging, including single-use items for food and beverage containers. Sadly, around 85% of these items end up in landfills or as unregulated waste. Less than 10% of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated worldwide has been recycled. The most prevalent types of plastic waste found in the environment include cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles and caps, grocery bags, straws, and stirrers.

Environmental harm

Plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries due to its durability and resistance to degradation. Nearly all single-use plastic products are manufactured from fossil fuels, contributing to the escalation of greenhouse gas emissions. Most plastic items merely break down into smaller microplastics, which can infiltrate the human body and accumulate in various organs. The impact of this phenomenon on human health remains largely unknown. Microplastics are now ubiquitous and are a part of the Earth’s fossil record. They have even led to the creation of a new marine microbial habitat, known as the “plastisphere.”

How you can help

Urge your local and national leaders to take decisive action by eliminating problematic plastic packaging, redesigning products for sustainability, and promoting transparency in sustainability information. Additionally, you can participate in beach or river clean-ups, shop sustainably, adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, advocate for change, choose sustainable fashion, and opt for plastic-free personal care products.

Spread awareness and inspire others via social media using the hashtags #BeatPlasticPollution and #WorldEnvironmentDay.