The challenge
Plastic production, consumption and waste is increasing and affecting marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, and contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) and hazardous chemical emissions. Consequently, human health, economies and social well-being around the world continue to be affected. Plastic production has increased nine per cent since 1950, outdoing any other manufactured material, with the food and beverage industry accounting for 40 per cent of plastic use. Textiles, building and construction and transport sectors are also significant generators of plastic waste. Found all around us, plastic waste in our oceans for instance negatively affects 2000 species by causing entanglements, ingestion, smothering and chemical pollution. Estimates show that up to 90 per cent of seabirds and 52 per cent of turtles ingest plastics. On land, impoverished urban areas account for more plastic from uncollected and mismanaged waste. While historically action on plastic has focused on disposal, eliminating plastic pollution requires stopping the flow of plastic by controlling production and consumption.
Our solution
The Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Integrated Program (Plastics IP) is designed to achieve the common goal of transitioning towards a circular economy in the food and beverage sector and achieving global environmental benefits. Financed by the Global Environment Facility and led by UNEP, this IP will support countries to develop national regulatory and policy framework for circular economy of plastics.
Working in 15 countries around the world, in partnership with FAO, UNIDO, IUCN, ADB, WWF and others, the Plastics IP will implement the most effective actions, informed by a system approach and scientific evidence. The program will also target commercial establishments (e.g. restaurants and bakeries including fast food and take-away services, supermarkets and retailers, office buildings, conference, event and recreation centres, public entities (e.g. schools, governmental offices, parks), and tourism hotspots (tourist attraction/destinations, airlines, hotels, cruise ships), to transform unsustainable consumption patterns for waste reduction, improve waste segregation and recycling, and develop markets for recycled materials.
The Plastics IP is implemented through 15 national projects in: Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Morocco, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, South Africa, Jordan, India, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Philippines and Cook Islands
Disclaimer: The inclusion of non-UN events on this map does not imply full endorsement or participation by UNEP, UN-Habitat or other UN agencies
For more information, contact:
Hartwig Kremer, Portfolio Manager International Waters
