World Environment Day: UNEP encourages global activism on plastic pollution

05 Jun 2023 --- Today is World Environment Day, a global event highlighting the need to tackle plastic pollution under the theme of “Beat Plastic Pollution.” With over 100 countries joining the celebration, this year holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. Ivory Coast is taking center stage as the host country, partnering with the Netherlands, focusing on innovative solutions to combat the issue.

Events began yesterday at Abidjan’s Ivory Coast, Ébérie Lagoon, covered in plastic waste. Representatives of the Ivory Coast’s ministry of environment guided Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on a tour of the Ébérie. The parties discussed the country’s efforts to reduce pollution levels in the lagoon through plastic waste management.

The delegation’s final stop was the Abobo Museum of Contemporary Art and Culture. Francoise Lemarck, minister of culture and francophonie, welcomed the UNEP executive director to an art exhibit titled “Polymers, Art, Plastics.” The exhibition featured artworks made from plastic waste, demonstrating the diversity and scale of plastic pollution.

Arçelik has recycled 192 million plastic bottles between 2017-2022. Industry initiative?
The UNEP annually organizes events for World Environment Day, which encourages worldwide awareness and action for protecting the environment.

The packaging industry is announcing initiatives in light of World Environment Day. Arçelik, one of Europe’s home appliances companies, announced that it has recycled 192 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfill between 2017-2022.

By using recycled PET bottles, the company says it has integrated sustainable and inventive resource solutions into its products, such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers and air conditioners.

Furthermore, Arçelik has implemented a “robust circular model” that embraces the recycling of wider forms of plastic, namely industrial fishing nets and thread. The recycled materials have been incorporated into the plastic components of ovens, dishwashers and washing machines, reducing plastic waste. Since 2020, 26 metric tons of recycled fishing nets and 563 metric tons of recycled industrial thread have been used.

Ecoveritas called on the world leaders gathered in Paris, France, at the UN’s second International Negotiating Committee meeting to count extended producer responsibility (EPR) among the essential provisions of the plastic pollution treaty.

PackagingInsights spoke to Andrew McCaffery, chief strategy officer at the environmental data specialist, about why the global packaging industry should already be implementing EPR in business practices.

Critical circularity
Greenpeace recently announced that plastic should be reduced instead of recycled, as it is inherently incompatible with a circular economy.

The non-profit organization noted that without reducing production, it would be impossible to end plastic pollution and eliminate the health threats from chemicals in plastics. Greenpeace demands that the treaty caps and reduces plastic production and that the industry stops “deflecting blame.”

In collaboration with Innova Market Insights, PackagingInsights will host its webinar on whether and how the industry can work toward and achieve a circular economy on June 28. The expert speakers will debate the viability of turning the linear economy into a loop, whether this is possible, and how start-up and mainstream packaging innovators are rising to the challenge.

The panel will discuss how circularity efforts impact greenwashing litigation, boosting renewable material sourcing and how connected technologies and reusable designs are aiding the industry’s transition toward a more sustainable future.

By Natalie Schwertheim

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