Why we need a global plastic treaty now

We have a plastic problem

Two billion people worldwide face the daily challenge of managing items they no longer need, lacking access to proper waste management systems. That’s one in four people who are left with little other option but to dump or burn their rubbish. Plastic is a key part of this problem with plastic waste generation having more than doubled between 2000 and 2019.

Unfortunately, the people who are least responsible for plastic pollution are suffering its worst consequences, impacting their communities, environment and health. Over 20 million waste pickers are tackling plastic pollution by collecting, sorting and recycling, but their hard work does not address the root causes of the issue. Change needs to happen further upstream.

Breaking the plastic mould

Despite the devastating impact of plastic pollution on people living in poverty, petrochemical corporations are still churning out plastic at an alarming rate. More than half of all plastic is designed to be used just once before being discarded, and so we must reconsider how much is produced as well as ensuring robust waste management afterwards.

To break the mould of the plastic problem, we need to address the full lifecycle of plastic, from demand to production, from consumption to waste management, and ideally closing the loop so resources remain within the system.

Plastic is personal

As Christians, we are called to love God’s creation and to care for our global neighbours. Plastic pollution is a major concern, but it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate this love and care in our efforts to fight for change.

Not only is this a global problem, but it’s also a personal problem for the communities we work alongside. Ultimately, the plastic problem matters to us because it matters to them.

So, what's the solution?

From Monday 25 November, a week of negotiations begins in Busan, South Korea, for a global plastic treaty. This will be the fifth round of negotiations (INC-5) and so world leaders must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure an ambitious, global and legally-binding plastic treaty to end plastic pollution and its impacts on people living in poverty.

Members of the Tearfund Family will be attending the negotiations to campaign for:

• legally binding targets to reduce plastic production and scale up reuse solutions
• universal access to waste collection and recycling
• a just transition for waste pickers
• mechanisms to ensure businesses and governments take action

Why a global plastic treaty matters for the countries where the Tearfund Family works

Kenya

A plastic treaty would affirm the value of waste pickers who often live in poverty while doing difficult and dangerous work. It would make their work safer and fairer by ensuring they have proper safety gear, paying them fairly for their labour, and treating them with respect as workers.

Latin America

The coastlines, rivers and waterways of Latin America are polluted with plastic waste despite the region being a smaller contributor to global plastic production. A global treaty would provide a platform for Latin American countries to collaborate on plastic pollution management, share best practices and advocate for regional solutions.

Malawi

A plastic treaty would enable the country to create policies that reduce plastic waste and address increasing pressure on how this waste is managed.

Nigeria

The health impacts of plastic pollution are affecting Nigeria’s population of 330 million people. It’s an environmental and public health concern that could be tackled by a global plastic treaty that addresses waste management with robust solutions.

All of these countries’ governments are members of the High Ambition Coalition to secure an ambitious global plastic treaty, along with the UK. As a founding member, the UK has a responsibility to acknowledge our role in the problem and be part of the solution.

A better world is possible

Throughout this treaty process, we are committed to amplifying the voices of those most affected by plastic pollution and pointing towards the better world that is possible. We believe that this better world looks like:

• less plastic being produced, used and disposed of
• waste pickers’ rights being upheld
• people living in poverty having access to waste management
• communities being free from plastic pollution

Your support helps to make this better world a reality so please continue to pray for our work using this prayer guide. You can also follow us on social media using the icons at the bottom of this page

This article is written by Eve Paterson and was originally published by Tearfund UK.