The planet is drowning in plastic waste and the pandemic is making it worse – SME.sk

GENEVA. The European Union, together with representatives of other countries, has called for the negotiation of a legally binding agreement on the reduction of plastic pollution, including microplastics contaminating oceans and watercourses.

The report was brought by the AFP agency, which reported on the conclusions of Thursday’s international conference in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program.

Millions of tons of plastics

The United Nations Environment Program has warned that “our planet is drowning in plastic waste.” According to the data, up to 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced worldwide every year. It is estimated that about 8.3 billion tons of plastics have been produced since the 1950s, of which about 60 percent ended up in landfills or in the wild.

Millions of tons of plastics enter the oceans every year, killing more than a million seabirds and up to about 100,000 marine mammals, from otters to whales. According to the conference participants, the situation may be exacerbated by the pandemic due to the use of disposable drapes, respirators or gloves.

Motion for a resolution

Peru and Rwanda, with the support of the European Union, its Member States and seven other countries, submitted a draft text in Geneva calling for the establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating committee.

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Its task should be to draw up an international legally binding document on a comprehensive approach to preventing and reducing plastic pollution of the planet.

“The aim of the document should be to promote the circular economy and address the whole life cycle of plastics, from production, consumption and design to the prevention of plastic waste,” the resolution said.

The proposed resolution is due to be discussed at the UN Environmental Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, which will take place from 28 February to 2 March next year.