Resuming are crucial discussions to stop plastic pollution

Resuming are crucial discussions to stop plastic pollution

Resuming are crucial discussions to stop plastic pollution

Source: https://phys.org/news/2023-05-high-stakes-plastic-pollution-resume.html

Author:  Benjamin LEGENDRE, Kelly MACNAMARA

About 175 countries committed last year to reach a binding agreement by 2024 to stop the pollution caused primarily by plastics made from fossil fuels, which is killing the ecosystem and contaminating people and animals' bodies. The initial framework for steps that could serve as the foundation for a draft negotiation document must be agreed upon during the May 29–June 2 meetings in Paris.

Among the proposals are a global ban on single-use plastics and "polluter pays" programs.
Rich G7 countries—the United States, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Canada—made a commitment last month to end plastic pollution by the year 2040. They claimed that the growth of the circular economy and the potential for limiting or outright prohibiting single-use plastics and non-recyclables made this goal realistic.

The negotiations should go farther, say campaigners, and concentrate on reducing the amount of plastic produced in the first place.In the past 20 years, plastic output has doubled. It serves as food packaging, is woven into clothing and building materials, and is a crucial component of many disposable medical goods.