“The way we The production, use and disposal of plastic is polluting the ecosystemcreate risks to human health and destabilize the climate,” said UNEP Managing director Inger Andersen.
The ‘roadmap’ to cut plastic pollution
“This UNEP report offers a roadmap to significantly reduce these risks through apply the circular approach helps get plastic out of the ecosystem, out of our bodies and in the economy,” she said.
The report, Faucet off: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economyoutlines the extent and nature of the changes needed to end plastic pollution and create a sustainable circular economy that is friendly to people and the environment.
Change system
The report proposes a system change achieved by speeding up three key changes – reuse, recycle, reorient and diversify – and actions to deal with the legacy of plastic pollution.
Even with the above measures, 100 million tons of plastic from single-use and short-life products will still need to be disposed of safely every year by 2040, the report said.
Building a circular economy
UNEP proposes to establish and implement safety and design standards for the treatment of non-recyclable plastic waste and to hold manufacturers responsible for products that emit microplastics.
Overall, the transition to a circular economy will lead to Savings of 1.27 trillion USD, consider recycling costs and revenues. More than $3.25 trillion will be saved from avoidable externalities such as health, climate, air pollution, marine ecosystem degradation, and litigation-related costs.
Plastic bricks are made from recycled plastic waste at a factory in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Create 700,000 jobs
Such a shift could lead to a net increase of 700,000 jobs by 2040, mainly in low-income countries, significantly. improve the livelihoods of millions of workers in an informal setting, the report said.
The investment costs for the proposed system change are substantial, but below the expected expenditure if the system change is not implemented: $65 billion per year versus $113 billion per year.
Much of this can be mobilized by move planned investments for new production facilities or taxing new plastic production on the required circular infrastructure.
finite time frame
However, the report warns that time is of the essence. A five-year delay could lead to an increase of 80 million tonnes of plastic pollution by 2040.
Serving as a solution-focused analysis of specific practices, market shifts, and policies that can inform governments about business thinking and action, the report found. that the highest cost in both the throwaway economy and the circular economy is activity.
With regulations to ensure the plastic is designed to fit round modelsManufacturer’s extended liability programs can cover operating costs to ensure system integrity through claims manufacturers to fund responsible collection, recycling and end-of-life disposal of plastic products.
A plastic recycling collection point in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Unlock business opportunities
Internationally agreed policies can help overcome the limitations of national planning and business action, maintain a flourishing global circular plastic economyopening up business opportunities and creating jobs, the report found.
The report recommends that a global financial framework could be part of a policy pact to enable recycled materials to compete on a level playing field with virgin materials, creating an economy of scale for solutionsand establish supervisory systems and financial mechanisms.
It is important that policymakers are encouraged to adopt an integrated approach to regulatory tools and policies. address actions throughout the lifecycleAccording to the report, it also mentions specific policies, including design, safety, compostable and biodegradable plastic standards, and recycling goals.
“If we follow this path, including in the negotiations on the plastic pollution agreement, we can deliver huge economic, social and environmental wins,” said UNEP head. said.
How can we #beat plastic pollution?
Create a circular market: RRR + EASY
To cut global plastic pollution by 80% by 2040, a new UN report proposes eliminating problematic and unnecessary plastic, and calls for three market shifts – reuse , recycling, reorienting and diversifying products:
Reuse: Promoting reuse options, including refillable bottles, bulk dispensers, deposit return plans and packaging recall plans, could reduce plastic pollution by 30% by 2040. To realize its potential, governments must help build a stronger business case for reusables.
Recycling: A further 20% reduction in plastic pollution by 2040 could be achieved if recycling becomes a more stable and profitable business. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, implementing design guidelines to increase recyclability, and other measures, would increase the share of economically recyclable plastics from 21 to 50%.
Redirect and Diversify: Careful replacement of products such as plastic wraps, packages and takeaways with products made from alternative materials (such as paper or compostable materials) can further reduce plastic pollution by 17% .
