Plastic Pollution

Making a world without plastic pollution a reality

Szilvia Szabó — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:55:40 +0000

Making a world without plastic pollution a reality

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Plastic Pollution

Climate Action

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Plastic pollution

Changemaker insight with Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, World Wildlife Fund

Whether we consider biodiversity loss, polluting fossil fuels, or climate disasters, the picture is clear: we must change systems at scale.

Although change doesn`t happen overnight, and if you recall any recent personal endeavours to change something in your life, from shifting to a healthier diet to squeezing in more exercise, you will agree that change is difficult.

One of the most pressing global challenges we face is plastic pollution, given that every year a staggering 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

As Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Erin Simon drives positive change across industries in packaging and material sustainability while leading one of WWF`s flagship campaigns, “No Plastic in Nature”.

“Mount Everest. The streets in your neighbourhood. Tropical beaches on remote islands. Your local park. The Mariana Trench. What do all of these places have in common? You can almost guarantee that you will find plastic waste in every one of them”, says Erin about the scale of the plastic challenge.

For a global issue like plastic pollution, Erin stresses the importance of collective action.

She believes that to combat this crisis, we need as many people as possible to support and contribute to the solution, but for that to happen, we need to overcome our differences.

Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

“Divisiveness continues to paralyse us as a global community across many complex issues. We get caught up in one way or another and lose the ability to create shared solutions. With plastic pollution, there are ways to find common ground and benefits for communities, the planet, and the private sector – we just need to come together to find them.”

She further explains that collaboration is not just about working together more broadly as “we can't just inspire everyone to go off and act on their own”.

However, plastic is not only an environmental issue since it disrupts livelihoods and has been linked with various human health implications, negatively impacting lives worldwide.

While we still don’t know how much plastic ingestion is safe for humans, there is growing agreement among a broad group of scientists that plastics are responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment.

Plastic pollution pose a threat to human health according to variouos research. Image: Canva

Erin feels strongly about the power of collaboration and delivering justice as she explains that “our oceans don't adhere to country borders, and neither can our solutions - success for a few will not equal success for the planet”.

The plastic pollution crisis is quickly reaching a tipping point, even though, in March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) agreed to establish a legally binding international agreement to address the issue.

“Despite voluntary initiatives and national regulations, marine plastic pollution has increased by 50% in the last five years and is projected to triple by 2040”,

Erin explains.

Crafting a treaty that will make a real difference requires strong and specific agreements that will hold countries accountable for building better systems for waste management and recycling while finding alternatives to plastic to avoid exhausting natural resources is at the top of WWF`s agenda.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution will gather in late November to have the final negotiations, which, as WWF describes, is the “last critical moment to prevent irreversible economic, health, and environmental damage from plastic pollution”.

On the promising side, some countries already recognise the importance of addressing the plastic crisis. For instance, Colombia, Jamaica and Panamá announced joining forces in 2023 through a shared initiative to reduce plastic pollution from coastal and urban environments by allocating $ 42 million to support a holistic approach to improve city-level circularity.

Looking into the future, Erin shares her vision:

“We need to design solutions for the future we want, not the reality we are in. I am not saying we don’t need to be grounded, but we need to think outside of today’s barriers if we want actual change.”

One example she highlights where collaboration sparked real change is the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, jointly convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, where she managed to bring major companies such as Walmart, Target, The Coca-Cola Company, and Procter & Gamble to the treaty negotiating table.

She notes that many of these businesses are not only in favour of a treaty like this but have become vocal champions for it, helping grow industry buy-in, adding that “plastic producers are a large part of the problem but also a vital part of the solution”.

An area where Erin sees a massive mindset shift is necessary is looking at the economics of plastics differently.

“We often measure progress in dollars and cents – which is how our world works, but it also prioritises that and colours our ability to get creative. The question of “who is going to pay for it?” plagues problem solvers and deprioritises communities and ecosystem services that often bear the brunt.”

In her opinion, to turn the tide and make a world without plastic pollution possible, a global treaty that provides rules for all countries to abide by and enables solutions like policies and funding that smooth the way for implementation would be essential.

The role of advocacy cannot be overstated despite the fact that the plastic crisis is one of the most well-recognised global issues, and 85% of Americans somewhat or strongly agreed in a recent WWF poll that plastic waste pollution is a serious and concerning problem that requires immediate political action to solve.

As part of her work to raise awareness, Erin Simon takes the stage alongside other changemakers to share insights about their changemaker journey at the Greentech Festival conference in Los Angeles on November 14-15.

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Innovative circular program to scale up under new leadership

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 08:18:25 +0000

Innovative circular program to scale up under new leadership

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System change specialist appointed to lead game-changing circular economy initiative in the UK.

The trial program of the re-use model ‘Re’ that already saved over 4 million plastic bottles from landfills, has brought Doug Morwood system change specialist, to take the initiative to the next level as MD.

The UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Challenge has recently announced £3 million in funding to further develop ‘Re’ across the UK and save over 100 million bottles from landfills within the next three years.

Doug Morwood system change specialist, new MD for the 'Re' circular economy program.

Newly appointed MD Morwood aims higher than expected and wants to ‘reduce single-use plastic on a grand scale.'

“I am honoured to join the Re team and look forward to delivering a truly circular economy system for the UK.

We must move beyond the linear system that results in so much waste, both in terms of materials and energy,” said Morwood on his appointment as Managing Director for the ‘Re’ program.

The new MD aims to lead a data-driven change and engage various stakeholders in a ‘re-use revolution’ within and beyond the border of the UK.

He believes that engaging small and big brands alongside retailers is critical in changing the current wasteful practices, and with 'Re' they ‘have to offer a compelling alternative to the current linear system that damages our environment so much.”

Morwood adds:

“Bringing businesses together to tackle the climate and waste crises is the only way we can solve the problem; collaboration is crucial."

Customers can also easily join the movement by using the Refill App, managed by the City to Sea project, showing users the nearest refill station and places to eat, drink, and shop using less plastic.

Advanced Refill Stations – interactive stations where customers can fill a ‘Re Smart Bottle’ with a product of their choice; Image: 'Re' program

Co-Founder of Beauty Kitchen and the ‘Re’ program, Jo-Anne Chidley, is excited about expanding the impact of this project and seeing the build-up of a team under the visionary leadership of Morwood.

She emphasises that ‘this is an open initiative for all brands in the cosmetics, beauty and personal care industries’ and that they will support implementing the ‘Re’ system and help partners deliver change and ‘enter this ecosystem.’

HeadlineImage: 'Re' program

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Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world

Business Spirit News reporting — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:49:34 +0000

Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world

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The Moving Water Alliance was launched to offer funding, educational materials and various supports to help non-profit projects addressing water pollution issues.

The Planet Calls non-profit organisation launched the Moving Water Alliance in August 2021 to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects worldwide.

This new movement offers access to funding, educational collateral and support to help organisers develop and grow their teams to address water pollution issues locally.

The idea of creating this Alliance sparked from witnessing the amount of waste that has been skyrocketing since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Single-use plastic, like sanitiser bottles, aprons, masks, and gloves, is now making its way to not just landfills but natural habitats like oceans.

Tarryn Johnston, Chairperson, Moving Water Alliance

The increasing amount of pollution is putting more strain on already exhausted marine life and other ecosystems.

“I decided to become a Chairperson for Moving Water Alliance because I have an already well-established river clean-up non-profit-organisation based in Gauteng, South Africa.

I have created a model that anyone can replicate with enough drive, passion, and commitment to saving our rivers and oceans.

We want to assist more people and non-profits in doing the same all over the world,” says Tarryn Johnston about how she started this movement.

Johnston is no newcomer to river pollution clean-ups since she formed a non-profit in 2019 called Hennops Revival in South Africa.

Since its inception, she has removed almost 1.3 million kilograms of pollution from the Hennops River in Gauteng province together with her team of volunteers.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses who sponsor some clean-ups, she could offer employment to the homeless and people in need from the local communities.

Her tried-and-tested business model will now be shared with members of Moving Water Alliance to help them solve a massive environmental problem while uplifting communities through the employment that these projects can provide.

Membership is free, and members can expect to receive various supports in growing their beach and river clean up teams.

Organisers of the Moving Water Alliance envision this initiative to become a home for existing river or beach clean-up projects and a welcoming space for those who would like to start such movements.

Members will be able to reach out when they need advice, encouragement or just a conversation with someone on the same page and find guides and friends with one common goal: saving our planets precious water bodies and marine and aquatic life.

The Moving Water Alliance encourages grassroots organisations and projects from this field to share their project, so the Alliance can amplify their reach and support them in their journey to make a positive impact!

Johnston adds:

“We are looking to guide and assist people who are in it for the long haul, as we understand that it didn't get this way overnight and neither will it be fixed overnight.”

The Planet Calls launched this initiative, hoping that having a global movement will certainly come with a weight and help create awareness of the rising number of people willing to stand up and do the work.

“At the moment, we are working on member welcome packs, which will include "how-to" guides and informative, encouraging material as well as the launch of our digital magazine scheduled for October,” says Tarryn Johnston about the next steps.

The Planet Calls is a non-profit foundation focused on sustainability and circular economy advocacy, educating people about how to treat the Earth with respect and care to accelerate change.

Headline image: by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

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Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices

Anonymous — Fri, 28 May 2021 11:29:20 +0000

Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices

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Fighting plastic pollution and the negative environmental impact of the toy industry is helping a small Irish company succeed.

Sharon Keilthy found shopping for her daughter frustrating because most toys were made of and wrapped in plastic.

After discovering that there are minimal options out there to find eco-friendly alternatives, she decided to start her own company that focuses on retailing and distributing the earth-kindest toys across Ireland & the UK.

Sharon’s vision is to build an activist business, which challenges polluting toy industry practices while educates retailers and parents about the environmental impact of toys.

Interview with Irish entrepreneur, Sharon Keilthy, founder of Jiminy Eco Toys

"Ever since having my daughter, I become more conscious of our environment, and as a parent, I was incredibly sick of the plastic-wrapped in plastic.

I went into toy stores one after the other, hoping to find something locally-made and plastic-free, and came out with a heavy heart and empty hands.

I just couldn't buy it anymore.

How can we expect people to choose a sustainable toy if they can't find one?

I decided to do my bit by making eco toys more available by retailing and wholesaling them across the UK and Ireland.

So, I created Jiminy Eco Toys in 2018, naming my business after Pinocchio’s conscience, Jiminy Cricket.

Sharon Keilthy , founder of Jiminy Eco Toys

Facing reality

When I went to my first toy trade fair in Spring 2019 - Toy Fair in London - it was a sea of ‘made-in-China plastic.

With a big smile on my face, I asked each of the 220 exhibitors what they had that was plastic-free. 200 of them thought and said, "Nothing," with a chuckle and a shrug15 had hand-made wooden toys shipped 22,000km from Sri Lanka, Thailand.

Only 5 had anything at all that was made in Europe and plastic-free.

The daily newspaper covering the toy trade show had headlines like, "Plastic fantastic", and there was no narrative at all about sustainability.

I was really shocked.

A year later, when we exhibited there, we were the only eco-specialist exhibitor.

I went around asking my question again, but most exhibitors were still not thinking about sustainability at all.

Playing with plastic

Sustainability is far from being implemented in this industry since 90% of the toys are made from plastic and about 80% of them are made in China, creating a massive carbon footprint besides emissions from production.

The toy industry is huge and won’t change overnight.

Still, we need to shine a light on practices that are not sustainable and threaten our future.

After all, you are buying toys for the next generation while jeopardising their future by doing so, which is not what people who love their kids would do intentionally.

We need more education, awareness and action to make this shift happen.

The global toy industry's top 4 producers and top 4 polluters are Hasbro, Mattel, LEGO, and MGA (who make Bratz and LOL).

LEGO is the only one with an announced vision to switch to plant-based plastic instead of petroleum-based. They're talking about 2030, and as of now, only 2% of their bricks have transitioned.

I wish their plan were faster, but at least they have one.

The others have some vague lines about offsetting, claiming that "we'll switch to biodegradable wrappers", removing some plastic from packaging, a few token recycled plastic products - but I couldn’t find their vision for their own sustainable future.

My sense is that the toy industry has been late to wake up.

Although most people still want cheap plastic, there is a growing percentage of people who want to choose more sustainable options.

Producing and delivering plastic toys creates massive carbon footprint; Image: Pexels

Running an activist business

I think an activist business is a great way to use your skills to change the world for the better.

Although it has its challenges, like every other business, as an entrepreneur, I find that managing time is one the most complicated part of keeping a business running that relies on me.

After successfully kicking off, I realised that I need to bring people on board who could help me grow my business and our impact.

Currently, I’m looking for board members who have the wisdom and will to turn the tide on plastic in the toy industry while making it work as an enterprise.

I run an activist business to offer better alternatives and encourage parents and suppliers to choose sustainably and become more conscious about the consequences of their choices.

My vision is not to build an empire but to solve a problem with a business solution.

On the other hand, the reward is when you have moments to experience the willingness to take the extra effort to change.

The other week we received a handwritten envelope and note in the post. Inside was a clipping from a newspaper of an article about our plantable experience gift cards.

The message said "4 cards please" with an address and a €20 note to cover the cost.

It was a lovely flashback to simpler times, and we very joyfully fulfilled that order."

Headline image: Pexels

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Tourism sector players are joining forces to fight plastic pollution

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:47:14 +0000

Tourism sector players are joining forces to fight plastic pollution

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Global Tourism Plastics Initiative aims to unite the tourism sector to take actions in the shift towards sustainability.

During the busy tourist season, marine litter in the Mediterranean region increases by up to 40 per cent which has a great irony since eight out of ten tourists travel to coastal areas wishing to unwind on sandy beaches with crystal clear water while enjoying the beauty of natural wildlife.

According to the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative, alongside the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enter the ocean every year, 300 million tonnes of new plastic is created annually, utilizing non-renewable resources such as oil, gas and coal, and contributing to climate change. If growth in plastic production and incineration continue, cumulative emissions by 2050 will make up between 10 and 13 per cent of the total remaining global carbon budget. As a result, the implications of plastic overconsumption extend even further than the litter that is visible in the ocean.

From polluters to fixers: Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

The plastic problem can only be solved with the active collaboration of stakeholders in the tourism industry, including moving away from single-use plastics, reducing consumption of unnecessary plastics, and moving towards circularity through better recycling and re-using schemes.

“Plastic pollution is one of the major environmental challenges of our time. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative supports tourism companies and destinations to innovate, eliminate and circulate the way they use plastics, to help achieve circularity in the use of plastics and reduce plastic pollution globally,” said UNEP’s Economy Division Director, Ligia Noronha.

The goal of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is to bring the tourism sector together under a common vision to transition to a circular plastic economy and sustainability in the sector. The initiative has been developed by the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet Network, a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement Sustainable Development Goal 12 on sustainable consumption and production.

The campaign is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative requires tourism organizations to make a set of concrete commitments by 2025, including:

Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items by 2025
Take action to move from single-use to re-use models or reusable alternative by 2025
Engage the value chain to move towards 100 per cent of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable
Take action to increase the amount of recycled content across all plastic packaging and items used
Commit to collaborate and invest to increase the recycling and composting rates for plastics
Report publicly and annually on progress made towards these targets

This initiative is the tourism sector interface of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which currently has over 450 signatories from businesses, governments, and other organizations, with the common objective of reducing plastic pollution through ambitious targets.

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