WWF calls for concrete steps to stop plastic pollution

19 May '19

2 min read

Pic: Gregg Yan / WWF-Philippines

Responding to the recent decision by environment ministers at the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP14) in Geneva to include certain types of mixed and contaminated plastic waste in the convention control measures, WWF International called for stepping up reduction, recyclability and collection to stop plastic pollution across the globe.

WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than a hundred nations.

As wealthy countries have abdicated responsibility for enormous quantities of plastic waste by using the developing world as a dumping ground and developing economies have cultivated their own plastic consumption without adequate collection and waste management systems, , it is time for regulation and a behavioural change, said WWF International director general Marco Lambertini.

Though the decision is a highly welcome step, it only goes part of the way; a comprehensive treaty to tackle the global plastic crisis is needed, a press released from the organisation quoted him as saying.

The decision came after proposals by Norway, the European Union and China to list plastic waste as a material that requires special consideration for it to be traded between countries. The final decision means contaminated and most mixes of plastic wastes will require prior consent from receiving countries before they get traded, with the notable exceptions of mixes of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

WWF has urged countries to urgently agree to a global legally-binding treaty covering every stage of the plastic lifecycle and ensuring governments, businesses and individuals are held fully accountable for the plastic they produce, consume and dispose of.

More than 460 000 people around the world have signed a WWF petition urging their governments to take action on the plastic pollution crisis.

The Basel Convention is responsible for ‘controlling the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal". COP14 took place from April 29 to May 10. (DS)

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