Scientists have stated that a binding global treaty is necessary to end the production of virgin plastic or new plastic by 2040.They claim that a global agreement on limits, and controls would solve the problem of plastic pollution on land and in the oceans.Plastic has been manufactured in excess of 8bn tonnes since the 1950s. These effects are all around us. Nils Simon, one of the report's authors, stated that plastics are everywhere, in increasing numbers, both in terrestrial environments as well as inside the body.According to the authors, plastic is a dangerous environmental threat because of its properties.Jesse Smith, Science senior editor, writes: While there was little concern for the impacts of new technology, it is now impossible to ignore their negative side, as we face a rapidly increasing problem with plastic pollution.However, the time to prevent plastic pollution is far past the time to change the future of plastics in the world.The report calls on a global treaty that covers the entire lifecycle for plastics from its extraction to its legacy pollution.Packaging materials account for 47% of all plastic waste, while textiles and transport accounts for 14% and 6% respectively.Every year, 3 percent of all plastic waste worldwide ends up in the oceans. In 2010, that was approximately 8m tonnes.Plastic production has remained steady. In 2019, 368m tons of virgin plastics, also known as newly manufactured, were produced. The production of new plastics from fossil fuels would consume between 10-13% of the global carbon budget that is still available to keep temperatures below 1.5C, as required under the Paris climate agreement.Simon calls for a global binding treatyBy 2040, all new or virgin plastics will be phased out.Incentivise reuse and refill, and reduce plastic pollution.Start a global clean-up of all plastic waste.Simon stated that plastic pollution is a significant threat to the environment, species and habitats. It also poses a threat to cultural heritage. Its social effects include harm to the human health, especially among vulnerable communities. Additionally, it has significant economic consequences that affect regions dependent on tourism.These challenges require a transformational approach. It must facilitate measures to reduce virgin plastic material production and include equitable steps towards a safe and circular plastics economy.Clean up the huge plastic waste footprint across the globe requires targeting clogged waterways and drains in many developing countries. These countries do not have rubbish collection services, and would need to create and boost waste management services. Plastic producers would be asked to contribute to clean-up efforts in certain countries.According to the report authors, plastic pollution could have irreversible effects on the environment.Matthew MacLeod, along with his colleagues, warned that plastic pollution is growing at an alarming rate on land and oceans. This is especially true when it affects remote regions. They say that it is necessary to reduce plastic emissions from the environment as quickly and thoroughly as possible.The NGO Tearfund released a report last year that revealed that only four companies, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo as well as Nestl, Nestl, Unilever, were responsible for plastic pollution in six countries every year. This is enough to cover 83 football pitches per day.Gloria Rosetto and Sarah Kakadellis, report authors, say that plastic waste is not properly managed and that it could have accumulated in landfills and the natural environment by 2050.According to the latest data on plastic waste exports, a ban on plastic being exported to non-OECD nations starting in January 2021 has little effect. Basel Action Network figures show that the EU increased its plastic waste exports by 30mkg per month in January 2021, to 41.1mkg per month in March 2021. Japan also saw an increase in its plastic waste exports, from 22mkg per month in January 2021 up to 51.4mkg per month in March 2021.Rosetto and Kakadellis stated that the scandals involving plastic waste exports to developing nations were an example of how mechanical recycling is not a solution to plastic pollution.According to the authors, technology alone cannot solve the problem of plastic pollution. There is no one-size fits all solution to the complex nature of plastic pollution. Instead, the solution lies in a combination of different approaches, including strong regulatory frameworks and investments in waste collection and management infrastructure, as well as the development of polymer chemicals, life-cycle design and consumer behavior.
