Pollution by plastic is one of the most acute problems in the contemporary world. Oceans are full of big trash floating like garbage patches, but even the most isolated areas of our planet are poisoned by micro plastics. However, people did not act till the emergence of problems: World has attempted to establish a holistic ban on plastics but has not succeeded. This article aims at identifying why this global issue exists.
Economic dependency on Plastics
One of the primary challenges underpinning the attempts to reach the consensus regarding a plastics ban is the considerable extent of the global economy’s entanglement with the use of plastics. Currently, plastics are used in virtually all aspects of life including food packaging, construction, electronics and in most medical applications. Local consumer purchasing and demand is important for the country’s economy because plastic industries are major employers and contribute a lot of revenue. Money-wise, by implementing the policy of no specific use of plastics, it becomes a problem for many countries and particularly, the developing ones. Plastic dependent industries such as manufacturing and retail business are concerned about the economic impacts and losses that may be occasioned by such a move that will lock out people out of their source of income.
Lack of Alternatives
The next issue that aggravates the problem, is the absence of good and efficient substitutes for plastics at the same time. Despite this, there are products that are biodegradable and compostable they are more costly and have a lower performance than regular plastics. The supply chain of these alternatives including the production, processing as well as recycling capability is also relatively less developed in many parts of the world. If substitutes for plastics are not available or are not easily accessible then a blanket ban can bring a lot of problem across several fields.
Inconsistent regulations and policies
A lack of standardized measures and legislation within countries also makes the effort towards plastics’ elimination worldwide difficult. Commitment and capacity to reduce and control plastic pollution are not the same across nations. Some countries have achieved tremendous success in setting rules and regulations, including plastics ban and favourable recycling rules, whereas some have not because of political, economic constrains as well as their infrastructural one. Such a situation makes it difficult to develop a coherent effort as some nations may find themselves receiving other nations’ plastics that are banned from export.
Government and Business interests
Interest groups, particularly those in government and business, are a major cause of commonality failure in the effort to ban plastics. Owing to lobbying by powerful associations such as the American Chemistry Council, the plastic industry, and allied, has the power to ensure that no rigorous measures are implemented. In this case, various groups mostly focus on the gains that relate to the use of plastics while at the same time playing down the cost on the environment. However, due to negative effects, politicians may not support a plastic ban since such decisions would be unpopular among their supporters.
Consumer Attitude and Practice
Opposition to plastic ban stems from consumer behaviour and awareness that do not support plastics elimination. However, due to increased awareness of the adverse effects of pollution by plastics, many consumers still prefer plastics because of its economical and convenience factor. It is impossible to transform one’s choice instantly and become more aware of the necessity to minimize plastic use. There also must be cooperation of the public in a ban on plastics which can only be gotten through sensitisation.
International Collaborative and enforcement
The global cooperation is essential for the proper implementation of plastic ban. Nevertheless there remains a difficulty in obtaining global agreement on what constitutes an educated person since each country has their own priorities, economic circumstances and political policies. Besides, the territorial aspect remains a major concern even if an agreement on such a ban is reached than how it will be implemented across different borders? There is a risk that some of the countries will be failing to implement this ban since the governance and enforcement mechanisms in their countries are not strong.
Plastic waste
Production of plastic has become a major problem to the society and world at large since its production rates are increasing tremendously. Plastic production has doubled since the beginning of the century and in 2021 global production stood at nearly 400 million metric tons per year. With enhanced production, there is more plastic waste production, with estimates put at 353 metric tons of plastic waste annually. Unfortunately, the world generates between 6 to 7 billion tons of waste annually, and only a small fraction of this waste is recycled while the rest is dumped into landfills, incinerated or inadequately disposed, thus polluting the environment.
Some examples include; micro-beads embedded in a wide variety of products, cigarette butts which have tiny plastic filaments. These are bags, cans, chips, candy wrappers, crowns, cups, bottles, bottles caps, sacks, films, spoons, holders, straws and stirrers. All these items are very common and enduring and all these present very much threats to the wildlife and ecosystems.
However, several nations are still reluctant regarding this problem, and that is why they do not want to solve the problem of the pollution of the ocean by plastic. The causes of this reserve can be explained with many factors. In developing countries, there is generally poor provision of waste management systems and their supporting infrastructure secondly, societal aspects are also taken into account, because many nations base their economy on the production and consumption of plastics. Political factors include; Self-interest of some powerful political players who are linked to large plastic industries that contribute to the undoing of an effective set of rules and policies so as to reduce plastics use.
The breakdown of the negotiation at Busan shows why it is not easy to make international cooperation deals on plastic pollution. The talks at Busan discussed to set up an enforcement base international treaty on sustainable marine resource management through reduction of plastic waste; however, due to failure in reaching mutual consensus on financial commitments, technology sharing and enforcement structures, the talks fell through. The developed countries were not forthcoming on the issue of offering resource and the technology necessary for the development of the developing nations while the developed nations were more worried about the economic implication of the provision of stringent standard.
Still, the prospects for future negotiations are not excluded even after the Busan talks were not successful. The rising consciousness of the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene on the environment and the human health has resulting into pressure being applied on the governments to address the issue. Additionally, the involvement of international organizations and non-governmental organizations in advocating for stronger regulations and policies has created momentum for future negotiations. Despite the progress of refraining from a global agreement on plastic pollution as a way forward is tough the commitments displayed by numerous actors altogether serve as optimism for a more positive future.
As a result, plastic waste products remain prevalent in the market and more so have adverse effects affecting the environment. Plastic litter in the form of filters from cigarettes, candy wrappers are a threat to ecosystems and wildlife. The failure of several countries to combat plastic pollution emanates from economical, infrastructural and political barriers. The discrepancies reached in the failed negotiations at Busan show the reality of the challenges of making global agreements, however the awareness which is being created, and the demands for better processes mean there is hope for the future negotiations. Mitigation of plastic pollution can only be achieved when people, governments, organizations and businesses come together for creating a better and healthier future.
The 5th INC on Plastic Pollution
The 5th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee – INC-5 on plastic pollution was held from 25 November to 1 December 2024 Busan, Republic of South Korea. In order to address the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean and sea, the purpose of this meeting was to approve the wording of an international instrument that is legally enforceable. The INC-5 was the result of a meeting series starting from 2022 after UNEA approved a mandate to outline an integrated management plan to address the life cycle of plastic.
INC-5 called more than 3800 participants for representation from over 170 countries and over 600 observer organizations. From the session, participants engaged in bargaining and debates on contentious topics relative to the production of plastics, plastics waste, and hazardous chemicals. Despite the high stakes and the urgency of the issue, the talks ended without a final agreement.
This was especially apparent where there were disputes over the manner of plastics production. Despite the fact that certain nations were adamant about taking rational and quantitative steps to realign the production of plastics with the decrease of the actual cause of pollution, other nations were more concerned with the efficient management of garbage and the promotion of recycling. The varied needs and economic development of countries created the major problem of trying to decide on what exactly everyone wanted and needed.
The Chair of the INC-5 was Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who pointed out that there is lack of responsibility for generations to come. He said that, he looks forward to the negotiations achieving the outcomes that they want to agree on the historic treaty on the plastic pollution. However, due to severe differences that member countries had in core issues, the committee failed to ratify the agreement.
Nevertheless, the work accomplished by the INC-5 can be assessed far from negatively – the long discussions helped to make many people aware and step up the fight for dialogue in the future. The discussions stressed on the fact that it is not easy to eradicate plastic pollution on the global level and that active cooperation and idea finding should be continued. The committee said that it would had to meet again in the future in order to resume the completion of the negotiations and attainment of a satisfactory solution.
United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA
The UNEA is the principal organ of the United Nations which annually convenes the world’s highest-level annual Forum on sustainable development and the environment. UNEA is a forum commenced in 2012 that offers guidance and cooperation in tackling environmental problems in the world. They work through conventions and others collective actions with participation of all the 193 member states of the UN, as well as other NGOs, private sectors and other interested parties in order to coordinate them in matters concerning environmental sustainability.
UNEA is held every two years at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) office in Nairobi, Kenya. Its work is to define the course of future international environmental cooperation, to ensure the consistent pattern of the implementation of the environmental aspects of sustainable development and to offer strategic planning for UNEP. It makes decisions and takes resolutions that shape the International environmental policy and administration.
In fact, one of the most pride achievements of the United Nations Environmental Assembly is the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, that entails seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. UNEA has played a crucial role in integrating environmental sustainability into the SDGs, ensuring that environmental protection is at the heart of global development efforts.
UNEA addresses the issues such as climate change, loss of biological diversity, environmental degradation, sustainable consumption and production, to consider among others. By doing so, UNEA helps member states engage in dialogue and cooperation and enter into partnerships aimed at agreeing the way forward towards monitoring commitments, implementation of new initiatives as well as accessing and deploying adequate resources to advance environmental goals and agendas.
The assembly works in an extensive and flexible manner through open sessions where all people have an opportunity to be heard and the common desire of the international community to be followed. By championing environmental stewardship and advocating for transformative change, UNEA is instrumental in advancing a sustainable and resilient future for all.