Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris’ Post

A collaborative study by University of California researchers suggests we could reduce global plastic waste by 91% (!) with four targeted actions: https://lnkd.in/dmTUq6zi 1. Increase Recycling Content in Plastic Products: Mandate that plastic products contain at least 40% recycled materials 2. Limit Plastic Production: Cap the production of new plastic to 2020 levels 3. Enforce Tax Packaging: Implement or raise taxes on plastic packaging to incentivize use of alternatives. 4. Invest in Waste Management: Allocate USD 50 billion globally to improve waste collection and recycling infrastructure, especially in low-and middle-income countries. In parallel, a WWF report indicates that while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) consume about three times less plastic per capita than high-income countries, the true costs of plastic are eight times higher for LMICs compared to high-income countries. https://lnkd.in/dCnrCjh2 A few reasons for this are the inadequate waste management systems, lack of infrastructure, and limited funding for clean-up efforts, lack of effective regulatory frameworks to manage plastic waste effectively in LMIC... and the absence of a specific mechanism in place to support these countries for the costs of plastic pollution. As global negotiations begin today in Busan (INC-5) to agree on a Plastics Treaty, let's hope these valuable pieces of information will be taken into account...

The more plastic a company uses, the more they contribute to global plastic litter, according to a key finding in The Sciences Advances article by Break Free From Plastic. Research from a dozen universities worldwide between 2018 and 2022 reveals that for every 1 percent increase in plastic use, there is a 1 percent rise in global plastic litter contribution. Volunteers in 84 countries collected over 1.8 million plastic waste pieces, with more than 1 in 10 from Coca-Cola, the top polluter. These findings emphasize the need to limit the production of problematic plastics. It is crucial for companies to prioritize source reduction over one-for-one swaps and commit to ambitious, accountable goals. Collaboration among companies is essential for driving big systemic change. Change is challenging but necessary for the health of our environment, wildlife, and ourselves. Learn more about the study's impact: #PlasticPollution #EnvironmentalImpact

🌍🌊 Plastic Packaging and Wipes: Top River Pollutants 🌊🌍 Through the 'Plastic Pirates' project, we’ve found that plastic #pollution in #rivers remains a major issue. This year, 1250 young participants from Catalonia, Valencia, and Castilla y León identified #plastic packaging and disposable wipes as the most common pollutants. Despite efforts to reduce #plasticwaste, our rivers, especially around urban and industrial areas, continue to suffer. Although, in Catalonia, legislation was adapted in 2019 to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the #environment, and therefore the trend of plastic waste in rivers is expected to decrease. Through this citizen science project, young people, the driving force of change, become aware of this problem, raise awareness of their immediate environment and, in addition, play an active role together with the scientific community by generating scientific knowledge that helps to solve it.   Read the article here 👉 https://bit.ly/3zv019u  

A study on microplastic pollution highlights its rapid growth, predicting that even without new plastic production, pollution will double by 2040. Microplastics pose serious environmental and health risks, but varying research methods and unclear toxicity hinder a full understanding of their impact. Current mitigation efforts, such as recycling and plastic bans, are insufficient. The study calls for a multidisciplinary approach and global cooperation, along with stronger policies, to address the issue effectively. https://t.ly/yc40-

Plastic items from around the world are continuously washing ashore on Norwegian coastlines. This reflects a much larger systemic issue facing the nations of the world. Scientists have long reported the consequences of plastic pollution and the urgent need for intervention, but global plastic production and consumption continue to rise. This underscores the importance of Norway’s advocacy for a global agreement that guarantees stopping the flow of plastics into the environment. But Norway also has a responsibility in generating plastic pollution. In a study conducted with the Norwegian Air Research Institute (NILU), we attempted to map the Norwegian plastic cycle at high resolution – down to the product and polymer types. Norway releases 15 000 tons of plastic to the environment each year! According to our recently published study in Environmental Science & Technology, around 758 kilotons (kt) of plastics enter the Norwegian market every year, while 632 kt is discarded as waste. Almost the half of this waste is incinerated, and only 2.4% ends up in the environment. https://lnkd.in/dfiQQ6ZT

What an innovative solution discovered by scientists at Hokkaido University to reduce plastic waste, by allowing plastic waste to be used in chemical reactions that make toxic compounds safer. Involving the smashing of plastic bags with a metal ball, they believe that this method has strong potential due to its cost-effectiveness, stability and high efficiency. #plasticwaste #reducingplasticwaste #environmentalwaste #sustainability #esg #environmental

Single use plastic products (SUPs) degrade to microplastics 10 times faster in natural environments than estimated using accelerated weathering Our 3-year study at the National Museum of Denmark as part of the MarinePlastic research center suported by the Velux Fund has just been published in the journal Environmental Pollution. It suggests that SUPs fragment to microplastics in natural environments, particularly on pavements and beaches up to 10 times faster than predicted by modelling. Our findings indicate the urgent need for strategies that mitigate the impacts of photo-oxidation of SUPs. Such strategies may include a focus on the removal of post-use SUPs from pavements, roads, beaches, and water surfaces where photo-oxidation is faster than underwater and underground. Preferential use of black SUPs over white or transparent should also be considered. A link to the article can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dzNQdpHC

🌊🌍 New research confirms plastic production is directly linked to plastic pollution 🚯♻️ Groundbreaking research published in Science Advances reveals a startling truth: every 1% increase in plastic production leads to a corresponding 1% rise in plastic pollution in our environment. It's time to take action! 🌟 Key findings from the study: 🔍 Fast-moving consumer goods companies are major contributors to plastic pollution. 🌏 56 global companies are responsible for over half of all branded plastic pollution. 📈 The study highlights a direct correlation between plastic production and pollution, urging urgent reductions in plastic production to combat global pollution levels. Experts weigh in: 🗣 "This research underscores the critical role of corporate accountability in tackling plastic pollution. It's time for world leaders to prioritize plastic production reduction measures." - Dr. Lisa Erdle, Director of Science & Innovation, The 5 Gyres Institute. 🗣 "We need a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that mandates significant cuts in plastic production and holds corporations accountable." - Sybil Bullock, Associate Campaign Manager, Break Free From Plastic. 🗣 "This study provides the first quantification of global producer contribution to branded plastic pollution, informing strategies to reduce plastic waste in our environment." - Dr. Kathy Willis, Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO. Join the Plafera Challenge and make a difference! 🌿 Let's combat plastic pollution together by adopting sustainable practices and advocating for change. Follow us for more updates and be part of the solution! 💪 #PlaferaChallenge #SustainableFuture Read the full research paper here: https://lnkd.in/dD5fsEmf

A research paper published in Science Advances reveals a direct correlation between plastic production and plastic pollution, such that every 1% increase in plastic production is associated with a 1% increase in plastic pollution in the environment. This impressive research, led by scientists from a dozen different universities in the United States of America, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Estonia, Chile, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom, found that 56 global companies are responsible for more than half of all branded plastic pollution. Can you guess who are the top contributors of branded plastic pollution? Do the companies who are the largest contributors surprise you?

Here is a great summary from a hearing in the french senate of what we know about the impact of plastic pollution on human health. It is in English.