Plastics and the Environment
The world is facing a plastic crisis, the status quo is not an option. Plastic pollution is a serious issue of global concern which requires an urgent and international response involving all relevant actors at different levels. This page aims at listing relevant information, research, data and/or press releases issued by our partners in Geneva and other institutions around the world.
The Plastics and the Environment series is a set of online resources on the plastics crisis, its impact on people and the environment, and international cooperation to address this global problem. Compiled by the Geneva Environment Network, the series includes resources and news from organizations in Geneva and beyond, including UN-system organizations and other IOs, governmental authorities, civil society organizations, academic institutions and journals, and renowned newspapers. The page offers an overview of the different issues surrounding plastic pollution. Detailed information and resources are available for each section by clicking on the “In Focus” buttons.
Lifecycle Impacts of Plastics
Plastics are embedded in global and complex value chains. Each stage of the life cycle bears consequences for people and the environment. Although most public attention has been drawn to plastic waste and action to prevent leakage of microplastics and chemicals into the environment from inadequate disposal, addressing the end-of-life of plastic products will not be enough to solve this global crisis. We need to tackle the cross-cutting impacts of plastics and chemical additives throughout extraction, manufacturing, use, and disposal. Plastic pollution means more than just the plastic particles; its also all the chemical that are added to plastics, many of which are known to be harmful to people and the environment. When assessing the impacts of plastics, it’s important to consider plastic debris, micro- and Nano-plastics, as well as chemical additives.Plastic pollution is one of the global issue which clearly illustrate that the triple planetary crisis that we are facing – pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change – are all different sides of the same coin. The impacts of plastics along the lifecycle are cross-sectoral, affecting people and the environment in many ways. As such, it also exemplifies the interconnectedness of the SDGs, as addressing the plastic crisis could reap environmental, social and economic benefits.
More than 8.3 billion tones of plastic has been produced since the early 1950s (UNEP, 2018). This large amount of plastic production and the increase of single-use plastics has led to plastic to become a waste management issue. While reducing the generation of plastic waste in the first place is essential, environmentally sound management of existing plastic waste is crucial to protect the environment and people’s health. Recycling is often discussed as a solution to improve the situation; however, only 14% of plastic waste is currently being collected for recycling. Critics also point out the limitations of recycling methods, the importance of addressing toxic chemicals in recycling processes and the importance of not relying solely on recycling to solve the plastic crisis.
In terms of global governance, the Basel Convention is the key international instrument to regulate transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal; the Secretariat is based in Geneva. In 2019, Parties to the Convention adopted the Plastic Waste Amendments, and launched the Plastic Waste Partnership to support better management of plastic waste.
As plastics have major environmental and health impacts, many initiatives, projects and governance responses and options have been developed to tackle this major environmental problem.
The concept of ‘circular economy’ associated with plastics is often considered the necessary path to end the plastics crisis. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) stresses that the concept requires a redefinition, which considers plastics’ composition, use and disposal. Toxic chemicals and toxic disposal practices should be decoupled from circular economy discourses, as incompatible with it, while environmental human rights should be prioritized. In addition, a truly circular model that includes plastic should encompass its alternatives as well as put a cap on production to make the recycle-reuse equation not only an alternative to virgin plastics but a necessity. Therefore, a safe circular economy needs to be toxic-free and respectful of human rights.
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