Introduction to Tackling the Plastics Crisis

What is the global response to the plastic crisis?

175 countries signed the most ambitious worldwide deal on plastic pollution at the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) annual summit in March 2022. The agreement aims to manage plastic across its entire life-cycle – with the primary goal of establishing circular economies that eliminate single-use plastics. Countries would be required to implement new standards in industries that utilise plastic and build waste management systems. The resolution summit established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) which aims to have completed a global legally binding draft agreement by the end of 2024. 

How could a plastic circular economy help the pollution crisis?

The circular economy has the power to significantly reduce how much plastic enters the oceans. 

Moving to a circular economy would: 
– Reduce the volume of plastics entering the ocean by over 80% by 2040

– Save governments $70bn in the process

– Create 700,000 jobs

What is extended producer responsibility (EPR)? 

According to the OECD, extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy strategy in which producers are assigned significant financial and/or physical responsibility for the management or disposal of post-consumer products. 

Theoretically, assigning this responsibility might generate incentives to decrease waste at source, encourage environmentally-friendly product design, and support public recycling and waste management goals.

EPR programs are enacted by governments and put a legal obligation on producers to adhere to laws concerning the lifecycle management of their products and packaging. 

What is a producer responsibility organisation (PRO)? 

This is an organisation that assumes the responsibilities of an obligated party, as outlined in government regulations regarding the collection and recycling of products. For example, companies manufacturing plastics might pay a PRO to engage in activities such as collecting plastic waste from a beach, sorting into what is recyclable and then recycling the plastics (on behalf of the company).