A global lecture to reduce the suspension of plastic pollution as strong countries resist production caps

Consultations aimed at a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution I’m feeling sick this week in Genevaand will not agree to significantly reduce the environmental harm associated with millions of tons of plastic water bottles, food containers and packaging produced today.

Up to 100 countries were sought a cap when they were produced, but strong oil producers like Saudi Arabia and the US opposed them. They argued that the cap was unnecessary and a threat to the economy and industry.

This means that every advancement continues to rely on efforts to improve recycling, reuse and product design. This is exactly what a powerful nation claimed was enough to address the issue without relying on production cuts.

Here’s what you need to know about how successful these efforts were:

How big is the problem?

The world produces more than 400 million tons of new plastic each year, and the agency for estimating economic cooperation and development It could increase By 2040, about 70% without any meaningful changes. Many of them end up in landfills and, worse, environments.

Pollution is not just a problem. Plastics, made almost entirely from fossil fuels, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. 3.4% plastic produced According to the United Nations, the 2019 emissions that warmed the planet around the world were 1.8 billion tonnes.

So, how effective has recycling been so far?

Not that much.

Recycling plastic is notoriously difficult. According to the OECD, only 6% of what is made is recycled. This is mainly because different types of plastic cannot be recycled together. They have different chemical compositions, which makes them expensive, time-consuming, and require a lot of manual sorting.

“Plastics come in a variety of colors, different types of plastics called polymers, and 16,000 to 17,000 chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics. Therefore, plastics cannot be easily recycled.”

Experts say plastic is different from materials such as paper, cardboard, metal, and glass. All of these are reused at a much higher rate. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that glass recycling is approximately 31%, Approximately 71% steel can. 64% of paper and 74% of cardboard are recycled. American Forest & Paper Association.

But “If you’re just thinking about your own home or apartment, you might have a bright orange hard plastic detergent container on top of the washing machine, and you might have a plastic bag,” Enck says. “These two things can’t be recycled together.”

What advances have been made to improve recycling?

The plastics industry says that innovation in materials science is enabling more recycled plastics to be incorporated into products, making more plastic products recyclable. Ross Eisenberg, president of American plastics manufacturer, noted that there is a need for a “every approach.”

He said this includes upgrading recycling infrastructure and improving sorting to capture more used plastics. This also means that recycling is more accessible and helps consumers know what can and cannot do with recycling bins.

However, this has many limitations.

Depending on the consumer, accurate pre-sortments are often asked. Additionally, cities may hesitate to make costly infrastructure improvements to their recycling programs when there are few financial incentives or markets for recycled materials.

“There is not always a local recycling facility, or a market for recycled materials. If collection and processing infrastructure exists, recycling plants are essentially plastic production facilities, with the same air, water and soil pollution issues that are harmful to local residents.” Plastics & Climate Project Senior Fellow at the World Resource Institute.

Additionally, mechanical recycle mix used plastics in newer plastics, adding more chemicals. Also, other steps are required Throws much smaller plasticparticle In the environment.

Recycling plastics usually requires plastics that have never been recycled before, as used plastics are weak. “That doesn’t dent too much.”

California is currently suing oil and gas giant ExxonMobilclaims a deception about the possibility of plastic recycling.

For this reason, Kaufmann states, “The purpose is to significantly reduce the production, use and waste of plastic, and do not recycle any further.”

How about reuse and redesigning plastics?

“Reuse means creating packages and products designed for multiple uses, such as refillable containers, or creating more durable zipper bags that can be washed and refilled multiple times, extending their lifespan and reducing waste,” said Eisenberg, an American plastic manufacturer.

Experts say reuse is extremely important, but reusable products should not necessarily be used as consumables due to the risk of microplastics.

Redesigning plastics often means that recycling is easier. It can use one material for the package rather than some, or print the label directly into the container, rather than using another glued one, but that’s more complicated.

Kaufman said plastic alternatives could be made from sustainable, less harmful, and even renewable materials, such as seaweed. While there have been advances in this aspect, most solutions have not yet expanded.

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Alexa St. John is a climate reporter for the Associated Press. Follow her with x: @Alexa_stjohn. I’ll reach her (Email protection).

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Find out more about AP’s climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

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