Global control of plastics faces setback as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) fails to agree on a global law for plastic pollution.
Warm sunny weather, the smell of coffee/tea, birds chirping, trees swaying to the soft wind, fresh air in our surrounding, children’s laughter filling the air , what a thrilling, refreshing feeling!
A feeling that we all desire, but one threatened by increased levels of global plastic pollution.
Plastic waste releases toxic chemicals that break down into microplastics if not properly disposed. A 2021 study published by Vital strategies linked air pollution to plastics and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory ailments.
Plastic toxins affect the birds and their habitat. The birds species are under threat ; they are prone to ingesting plastic mistaking it for food, damaging their internal organs. Marine life is also affected with most plastics ending up in water bodies. Trees are chopped to provide fuel to power the production of more plastics, the result; the air is choked with no carbon sinks, depleting the ozone layer making the sun’s rays more damaging and harsh and weather patterns unpredictable.
WE ARE BEING CHOKED TO DEATH BY THE AMOUNT OF PLASTIC THAT WE THROW AWAY,WHICH ENDS UP IN OUR OCEANS AND DAMAGES MARINE LIFE. IT’S IN ALL OF US, AND WE MUST ACT NOW TO STOP THIS CRISIS.
David Attenborough- Environmentalist,BBC Broadcast Journalist(A life on our Planet (2020) documentary)
Our consumption habits determine our waste, with rising population globally, managing the waste is a growing challenge. World Governments are overwhelmed.
UNEP’s Global Waste Management Outlook report shows that 3 billion people lack access to proper waste management services, while 2 billion have no means to regular waste collection.
So this means that the waste, mainly plastics litter surroundings forming landfills. The global report estimates that another 33 billion tonnes of plastics will accumulate on the planet by 2050.
Many landfills leak toxins, chemicals from plastic waste enters the ground water causing soil contamination. Scientists say humans are likely to ingest the plastics causing health problems such as behavioral issues, hormonal imbalance, infertility, asthma and a host of other health concerns Vital Strategies.
Studies show that one does not need to live near a landfill to suffer the effects of plastic pollution.
The study published by TONTOTON, shows that plastics do not decompose. They contain toxins that are released into the air when exposed to the sun during degradation. Some plastics are absorbed into the skin, some find their way into water bodies, where they are ingested by marine life and find their way into our plates.
Samples of sea water across the world have been found to have polystyrene- a common type of plastic found in utensils, DVD cases, styrofoam and more.
Ocean communities in Asia are embracing sustainable packaging options to protect the environment. In some parts of Asia eco friendly alternatives to plastic packaging is gaining ground. Banana leaves are weaved into beautiful packaging for fruits, vegetables and fresh meat products. They help keep produce fresh longer, blocking the heat while retaining moisture.
Some supermarkets in Thailand are using banana leaves in packaging.
Picture shared by Gumnam Adhikari on X
| CHOOSING REUSABLE ALTERNATIVES-TIPS TO MANAGE PLASTIC POLLUTION |
|---|
| REUSE: WATER BOTTLES, SHOPPING BAGS,FOOD CONTAINERS |
| BUY PRODUCTS WITH LESS PLASTIC PACKAGING, AVOID SINGLE USE PLASTICS-CUTLERY,STRAWS |
| EMBRACE CIRCULATORY MODELS OF WASTE DISPOSAL AS COMMUNITIES-RECYCLING, CRADLE-CRADLE |
| SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT USE RECYCLED MATERIALS |
| COLLABORATE IN COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP SURROUNDINGS |
| SHARE IN ADVOCACY ON DANGERS OF PLASTICS IN NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUPS, CHILDREN |
| SHOP IN BULK, USE SUSTAINABLE FABRIC AS SHOPPING BAG, CHOOSE GLASS,BAMBOO,METAL PACKAGING AS OPPOSED TO PLASTIC |
World governments finalised the 5th meeting to develop a legally binding instrument on Plastic Pollution on December 4th 2024 in Busan- South Korea without reaching consensus. The meeting with more than 170 governments represented, will resume talks in 2025. It had been hoped that a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution will be in place by end of 2024.
The 5th session follows four earlier rounds of negotiations. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) was first held in Punta del Este, in November 2022, INC-2 was in Paris, France in June 2023, INC-3 was held in Nairobi,Kenya in November 2023, INC-4 was in Ottawa Canada in April 2024. The committee was established by UNEP Executive Director following the resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly . It began its work late 2022 giving itself a target to conclude by the end of 2024.
The international agreement hopes to address the full cycle of plastics including its production, design and disposal.
Europe has embraced a series of initiatives that include a plastics transition. It has a roadmap that has seen a firm establishment of a circularity model in waste disposal. The use of recycled plastics has increased by 70 pc since 2018 and circular plastics make up 13.5 pc of all plastic resins converted into new products in Europe, reducing landfills.
The sum total of our individual and collective actions will contribute towards a desired environment and a sustainable planet.
The opportunity to enjoy clean air, listen to the birds chirp, hear the leaves whisper amidst the laughter of healthy children playing in clean surroundings, rests on you.