More than 700 civil society groups from 113 countries, including dozens of #breakfreefromplastic movement members, are calling on the United Nations member states to negotiate and adopt a legally-binding global treaty to prevent and mitigate plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on the health of the people and the environment when they meet in February for the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2).
“The science is clear: what is needed to curb the plastic crisis is the adoption of an internationally binding agreement that includes preventative measures along the full life cycle of plastics. We must act together from the extraction of raw materials to the production of plastics products to legacy plastic pollution,” said Jane Patton, Campaign Manager for Plastics and Petrochemicals at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
New Report: Plastic pellets on beaches contain toxic chemicals
Plastic pellets (also known as “nurdles”) collected on beaches in 23 countries all tested positive for toxic chemicals, as revealed in the latest report published by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). The report underscores how plastic pollution is a form of chemical pollution, and that this toxic pollution is happening in virtually every part of our shared planet.
Oceana just released a report that reveals Amazon generated an estimated 599 million pounds of plastic packaging waste last year, with up to 23.5 million pounds of this plastic waste entering the world’s waterways and seas. Tell Amazon to reduce their plastic footprint and provide plastic-free choices for customers—not just because their customers want it, but because our planet needs it.
Report: Transatlantic Petrochemical Trade Undermines Climate and Plastics Policies
While Europe makes moves to address the climate crisis through policies, the growing petrochemicals trade between the United States and Europe undermines these climate and plastics policies. The Center for International Environmental Law's (CIEL) latest report explains what this trade means for plastic production and pollution.
Ending plastic pollution also entails addressing the needs of waste pickers, the frontliners in facing the plastic crisis. The Centre for Environmental Justice and Development (CEJAD) recently held a leadership training for 30 waste pickers in Kenya to equip them with fundamental skills to successfully run their waste pickers association.
Spread Word vs Waste-To-Energy with New Public Service Announcement
Countries in the global south continue plans for setting up waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators despite evidence of it not being a true solution to waste management. #breakfreefromplastic member Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific has released a new public service announcement (PSA) with environmental scientist Dr. Jose Emmanuel that you may use to help counter pro-WTE arguments.
