Environmental Law Foundation’s Post

The world currently produces more than 50 million tonnes of unmanaged plastic waste each year. Some researchers project this flood of plastic pollution will double by mid-century – but they also say that, if countries can agree to adopt four key policies during global plastic treaty negotiations this week, we could slash that number by 90 per cent. To be noted, plastic pollution ends up destroying our ecosystems both on land and at sea. Also plastics are also responsible for about 5 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Have you been participating in the Big Plastic Count? From 11 to 17 March, thousands of schools, households, communities and businesses are coming together to count their plastic waste — and it is not too late for you to join in! The initiative aims to raise awareness surrounding waste and the scale of plastic pollution we contribute to in just one week. This information is then used to help change UK legislation and crack down on harmful pollution. Hydrosphere supports initiatives like this, encouraging better practices for healthier environments and ocean ecosystems. How will you take part in the Big Plastic Count?  #TheBigPlasticCount #PlasticPollution #PlasticWaste https://bit.ly/3uw6UT8

The urgent need to tackle Norway’s plastic pollution Norway's plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern that must be addressed urgently, new research says. The country, known for its pristine landscapes and strict environmental policies, is now facing significant challenges with pl... https://lnkd.in/gb6VygHN

Great to see an in-depth look at the problem of plastic pollution in the Gambia and the ambitious National Action Plan set to tackle it. Written by Caitlin Kelly for the Guardian. The article really highlights the great work of our First Step Recovery programme, and the positive impacts it has on the people and communities we work with. https://lnkd.in/e2SVPVp7

Critical negotiations on plastic pollution begin next week! The world has a once-in-a-generation chance to profoundly change humanity’s relationship with plastic. That is the message from officials ahead of “pivotal” talks next week on a legally binding global instrument to end plastic pollution. Delegates from 174 countries are expected to gather in the Canadian capital of Ottawa for the latest round of discussions on the instrument. The gathering, formally known as the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), will run from April 23 to 29. It is the penultimate meeting before negotiations are expected to conclude later this year. Read more about this here: https://lnkd.in/dM7mainY

💰 The Polluter Must Pay: A Way to Curb Plastic Waste 💰 Plastic pollution is a massive environmental crisis, choking our oceans and harming countless species. But what if we made the polluters pay for the mess they create? 💸 The "polluter pays" principle is a powerful concept that holds polluting entities financially responsible for the environmental damage they cause. By internalizing the external costs of plastic waste, we can create a strong economic incentive for companies to reduce their plastic footprint. 🏭➡️🌍 Implementing measures like plastic taxes, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and deposit-return systems can shift the burden of waste management from taxpayers to the companies producing and selling plastic products. 💰🔀 Not only does this promote a circular economy by encouraging recycling and sustainable design, but the revenue generated can fund critical environmental clean-up efforts and research into innovative solutions. 🔄♻️💡 It's time to hold polluters accountable and make them pay their fair share. By embracing the "polluter pays" principle, we can create a powerful financial incentive to reduce plastic waste and protect our planet. 🌎💚 #PollutionPrevention #PlasticWaste #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalProtection #SustainableSolutions

ERG Environmental: Takes Action Addressing the Urgency of Waste and Plastic Reduction Underscoring the urgency of waste and plastic reduction initiatives, echoes the concerns raised in NRDC's article "Waste and Plastic Reduction Is Necessary to Protect Our Health." Amidst the proliferation of plastic consumption, the pressing need to confront the adverse impacts of plastic pollution on human health and the environment is recognized. With an estimated 400 million metric tons of plastic generated annually, the detrimental effects of plastic pollution extend from urban landscapes to marine ecosystems, perpetuating reliance on fossil fuels and endangering public health. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTWXKtxX

According to the UN Environment Programme, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes every day. The plastic pollution crisis has reached a tipping point, and its consequences are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook. Our reliance on single-use plastics and inadequate waste management systems have turned our once pristine oceans, rivers, and landscapes into breeding grounds for plastic pollution. This synthetic material, designed to last forever, is now choking our planet's delicate ecosystems, endangering wildlife, and posing severe threats to human health. Addressing the plastic pollution crisis requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, businesses, and individuals. Policymakers must prioritize sustainable waste management practices, incentivize recycling and the development of eco-friendly alternatives, and hold polluters accountable. Businesses must embrace circular economy models, reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, and invest in innovative solutions. As consumers, we must reevaluate our consumption habits, opt for reusable alternatives, and actively participate in recycling. The time to act is now. By acknowledging the gravity of the plastic pollution crisis and committing to collective action, we can protect our planet's fragile ecosystems, safeguard wildlife, and ensure a healthier future for generations to come. #plasticpollution #circulareconomy #recycling #GreenRev https://lnkd.in/gdWZ642G

The Gambia has reached a historic milestone with the approval of its first-ever plastic pollution control plan. The initiative focuses on reducing plastic waste, improving recycling systems, and addressing pollution's impact on marine environments. This plan is part of The Gambia’s broader efforts to protect its coastal and ocean ecosystems from the growing threat of plastic pollution, setting an example for other nations to follow. https://lnkd.in/e6gM2tGj

The Coca-Cola Company, the top contributor to global plastic pollution among major brands, is retreating from previous goals it set to reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The Atlanta-based company, which does business in nearly every country on Earth, cast the change as an “evolution” of its voluntary environmental goals informed by decades of work in sustainability. Environmental groups slammed the decision to abandon goals they said were already weak in favor of vague platitudes about recycling. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2DVmYgV