The tropics should not become the world's plastic pollution problem

Abstract

Unsustainable plastic production, use and mismanagement have resulted in increased plastic pollution in the environment threatening sustainability, especially in the tropics. Countries in the tropics have been disproportionally impacted by plastic pollution due to imports of plastic waste from developed countries, or because tropical Small Island Developing States have become overwhelmed by single-use plastics used widely in the tourism sector. However, plastic pollution is pervasive and is not just limited to the tropics. Plastic pollution has resulted in widespread environmental, economic and social impacts globally. Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels which contribute to climate change via greenhouse gas emissions, and plastic pollution also harms wildlife threatening biodiversity, thus placing enormous pressure on earth’s limited resources. Although downstream strategies to curb plastic pollution exist, they are infective in the face of increased upstream plastic production. Therefore, the international community has recognized that a more holistic approach is required to reduce plastic pollution. Current plastic production and waste generation are still outpacing existing plastic reduction regulations. This viewpoint shows why unsustainable global plastic production has resulted in increased global plastic pollution, including in the tropics, but also highlights how ambitious plastic pollution reduction policies can help transition towards a more sustainable plastics future.

Mengenyahkan Sampah Plastik Benalu dengan Ekobrik

“…Oleh sebab itu, secara ekonomi, ekobrik tidak memiliki nilai-uang; hal yang menyebabkan orang yang menganut prinsip-pasar tidak bersedia mengeluarkan waktu dan tenaga untuk membuatnya secara mandiri. Padahal, dari sudut ekologi, pembuatan ekobrik dapat mengurangi buangan sampah plastic (Santi, 2013;Zuska, E., dkk., 2023) sehingga tidak merusak lingkungan ekologi dan kesehatan akibat plastik (Abrahms-Kavunenko, 2023;Afianti dkk., 2022;Hidayat dkk., 2019;Blasiak dkk., 2021;Jambeck dkk., 2015;Kandziora dkk., 2019;Walker, 2024;Wichai-utcha & Chavalparit, 2019). Itulah mengapa diperlukan insentif, utamanya dari pihak ketiga (pemerintah) guna mengkompensasi opportunity cost yang dialami oleh pembuat ekobrik.…”

Defining an effective “plastics treaty” through national perspectives and visions during early negotiations

“…The committee also identified the need for a just transition and equity for the waste industry workers while also maintaining synergies with existing international agreements such as the Basel Improving waste management technologies, increasing community awareness, and capacitybuilding were some key priorities identified for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (Ambrose and Walker, 2023). However, lack of technical resources, funding, and workers, as well as heavy dependence on single-use plastic imports remain a challenge (UNEP, 2022c), which has been highlighted by the global research community (Ambrose et al, 2019;Clayton et al, 2021;Walker, 2023). Existing national policies to treat plastic pollution using strategies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), eco-designing, national zero waste plans, and carbon tax were also discussed as potential tools to be integrated into the treaty (UNEP, 2022c).…”

“…Despite low production rates, Asian developing countries account for most of the plastic pollution in the world (United Nations Environment Programme, 2022b). This is due to the illegal dumping and exports of hazardous plastic waste to these countries, where it ultimately gets burned or dumped in landfills (Walker, 2023). Until recently, China was reported as the world's largest importer of plastic waste intended for recycling.…”

Will the Global Plastics Treaty break the plastic wave? The beginning of a long discussion road

“…The scientific community is very clear about this: a global cap on plastic production should be a core provision of the treaty (Bergmann et al 2022;Landrigan et al 2023bLandrigan et al , 2023aSimon et al 2021;Walker 2023). In addition, determining which categories of polymers fall within the instrument's scope will represent an additional complex topic.…”