A Path Towards Eliminating Single-Use Plastics

A Path Towards Eliminating Single-Use Plastics: Solutions to a Sustainable Future

On June 5, 2023, the world celebrated World Environment Day which focused on Solutions to Plastic Pollution. Although significant measures have been put in place to mitigate plastic production, their use, and reuse, there is no significant progress in the implementation of the measures set by countries.

 United Nations Environment Programme indicates single-use plastics contribute to the largest percentage in terms of usage, in that 50% of plastics are used just once and then thrown away. However, by acknowledging the urgency of the situation and taking collective action, we can pave the way for a plastic-free future. single-use

According to Ontario Nature Block, the plastics production process including their making plastics, extraction, and transportation contributes to an annual estimate of 12.5 to 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. That causes global warming.  Because of their single usage, there is a demand to produce more. Also, careless disposal causes an alarming effect on plants and animals, and human beings.

Geneva environment network suggests that toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health on a global scale. Scientifically proven health effects include causing cancer or changing hormone activity (known as endocrine disruption), which can lead to reproductive growth and cognitive impairment.

Animals, whether in land, air, or marine often confuse single-use plastics as food which is harmful to their health as they are indigestible and may cause choking.  Effects may include birds whose vision is disrupted when they encounter plastics that are carried by the wind.

Plastics also fill the water and cause the same problem as water hyacinths as they prevent fishing and supply oxygen to marine life as they block air exchange. It is estimated that approximately 52% of all sea turtles have ingested plastic debris. Furthermore, plastics threaten the environment in different ways and people and production companies should be knowledgeable about the negative effects of single-use plastics. This should help them understand why using reusable materials is important.

Plastic Production Companies should think about recycling the disposed single used plastics as part of their contribution to the reduction of plastic pollution.

Several countries have embraced the idea of plastic recycling, but the new OECD report states that globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled while 22% is mismanaged. This may be related to the political will of countries.

There are already some countries which established policies and laws that ban plastic production and use. Although several policies have proved to be successful, there is a need for a specific policy that bans Single Use Plastics. It was mentioned above that 50% of plastic pollution is from single-use plastics. So, if all countries develop policies and laws that fight against this, there would be a higher chance of stopping plastic pollution

Another no/low regret solution may apply

Bioplastics as biodegradable materials can be used to reduce the problem of plastic waste pollution.

According to UNEP’s  Austria case study, voluntary agreements are another example of single-use plastic reduction strategies driven by the supply side. Voluntary agreements between the government and producers/retailers can act as an alternative to the ban and be an effective instrument for demonstrating public-private partnerships.

In addition to various environmental solutions alternatives, we should embrace using non-plastic products such as glasses or metals. Glass is 100% recyclable and metal products last for a long time.

The author of this blog is an intern in Communication and Knowledge Management, PACJA