According to a recent report, plastic consumption in G20 countries is expected to almost double by 2050, leading to a surge from 261 million tonnes in 2019 to 451 million tonnes. The report titled “Peak Plastics: Bending the Consumption Curve” delves into the potential repercussions of strategies being evaluated by United Nations’ plastic treaty negotiators.
Analysis of Report Findings
The report scrutinizes three key policies encompassing an entire plastic life cycle, from manufacture to disposal. These encompass restrictions on problematic single-use plastic, a polluter-pays extended producer responsibility scheme that covers full end-of-life expenses, and taxation on virgin plastic production. It was discovered that combining these strategies with further action, such as placing controls on virgin plastic production, could cause peak plastic, leading to a future slowdown in consumption.
This peak indicates the point at which global plastic consumption ceases to increase and starts to decline. However, the analysis warns that extended producer responsibility schemes would only minimally impact single-use plastic product consumption. The most effective policy would be a global ban on unnecessary single-use plastic items.
The Significance and Use of Plastic
With its inert, lightweight, and resistant properties, coupled with low cost and versatility, plastic holds a significant place in industry and consumer goods. Medical fields utilize plastic for maintaining sterility, with tools like syringes and surgical implements being made of plastic. Similarly, the automotive industry has leveraged plastic to substantially lower vehicle weight, reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Challenges Posed by Plastic
Despite its benefits, plastic comes with issues, such as short-term use and environmental damage. Single-use plastics represent a major concern, with around 40% of total plastic discarded after one use. Plastic waste breaks down into small particles, known as microplastics, which spread throughout the water column and have been discovered in every corner of the globe. These microplastics often break down further into even smaller pieces — plastic microfibres — which can be found in drinking water systems and in the air.
The Impact of Plastic on the Environment and Health
Plastic pollution impacts the smallest organisms in the world, such as plankton. When these organisms ingest plastic and become poisoned, larger animals that rely on them for food are endangered. On a larger scale, items like straws and bags pose choking and starvation hazards to marine life. Plastic also threatens human health, with research from the World Health Organisation in 2018 revealing microplastics in 90% of bottled water.
Initiatives for Plastic Waste Management
Various initiatives have been launched to handle plastic waste. For example, in India, efforts comprise the National Dashboard on Elimination of Single Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management, the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules of 2022, and Project REPLAN.
Internationally, the Basel Convention established the Plastic Waste Partnership in 2019. This partnership intends to mobilize business, governmental, academic, and civil society resources to improve and promote sound management of plastic waste at all levels.
Future Prospects for Plastic Management
Identifying key hotspots of plastic leakage associated with its creation, consumption, and disposal is essential for future policymaking. The discovery of ‘plastic-eating’ bacteria in Japan hints at possible natural solutions, while the move towards a circular economy could reduce resource use and recycle ‘waste’ effectively.
Thus, handling the plastic problem requires a multifaceted approach, targeting production, consumption, and eco-friendly waste management — all of which contribute significantly to sustainable development goals.