Arm yourself with knowledge about one of the biggest threats to our oceans. We must do everything in our p A new exposby Greenpeace UK reveals that the American Chemistry Council is lobbying to use the upcoming US-Kenya trade deal to expand plastics acros After months of the plastic industry exploiting fears about COVID-19 to scare people into buying more single-use plastics, Greenpeace just launched a People of color often live in communities hit harder by the pandemic because industries have disregarded their well-being for decades. Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestl to stop fueling the climate crisis. Greenpeace, the iconic environmentalist organization, now says traditional plastics recycling (separation, concentration of waste stream, thermal/physical reformation of plastics) does not work, thereby ironically agreeing with decades of critical research on recycling programs. Plastic debris appears in every ocean of the world. #PlasticsTreaty #INC1 #BreakFreeFromPlastic #PlasticFreePilipinas. You can opt out at any time. However, it takes more than five decades to degrade. The annual amounts imported by Thailand from 2018 vary according to different . Carry your own utensils or a wooden spork and avoid using plastic utensils. Bottles, pots and food trays are immediately obvious, but other types of plastic pollution can be harder to spot. Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling on the government to advocate for the interests of people and climate in negotiations for a global treaty that will end plastic pollution after the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). Its time to bust those plastic myths once and for all. These cookies are required for technical reasons so that you can visit our website and use the functions we offer. These cookies may also be used to serve advertising to you after you have left our site (retargeting cookies). Discarded plastic fishing lines entangle turtles and seabirds, and plastic pieces of all sizes choke and clog the stomachs of creatures who mistake it for food, from tiny zooplankton to whales. How much plastic is in the ocean, and where does it come from? Economic success without ecological consciousness can end in disaster. It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. Every year, were adding millions of tons more plastic to marine environments. And with enough pressure from our supporters and allies around the world, we can demand the biggest companies, like Coca-Cola, Nestl and PepsiCo, stop fueling the plastic pollution and climate crises by investing in reuse and refill solutions. Only the solution is for plastic treatment plastic and we can at least reduce plastic existence from the planet earth.Otherwise we are going to face 4-5 years later more climate and water crisis . Solutions to the plastic waste crisis exist, but they require us to change our lifestyles and for corporations to take responsibility for the products they make. 702 H Street, NW, STE 300, Washington, D.C. 20001 | 1-800-722-6995, Greenpeace US Joins Ocean Justice Forum in Announcing Platform. UK plastics sent for recycling in Turkey dumped and burned, Greenpeace finds Investigation reveals that 'plastic waste coming from the UK to Turkey is an environmental threat, not an economic. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Quotes from global health experts on the mounting concerns around disposable, single-use PPE and how it will impact our long-term health and the envir 125+ health experts sign statement addressing the safety of reusables and COVID-19. olumn reflects on the roots of activism, environmentalism, and Greenpeace's past, present, and future. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. What really happens to my plastic recycling? Despite covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, only a tiny fraction of our oceans are protected. But we need to go much further to end the flow of plastics into the ocean. The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty will start this November, with the goal of completing the process by the end of 2024. With enough pressure from our supporters and allies around the world, the biggest companies like Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks, McDonalds, Unilever, Nestl, and Procter & Gamble will embrace a better model through innovation and redesign. For too long, corporations have put the onus on all of us to deal with their own f Visit Greenpeace Fund, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable entity created to increase public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through research, the media and educational programs. This short scene foreshadowed the age that followed. Marine birds and plastic pollution, Marie Y. Azzarello & Edward S. Van Vleet, Marine Ecology, 1987. Greenpeace analyzed the US' roughly 370 material recovery facilities to conduct its surveys. For far too long, corporations have put the onus on all of us to deal with their own failed design problem. Of course, using less plastic isnt easy for everyone. Most of the plastic items you are encouraged to wash, sort, and put in blue bins usually end up in landfills or incinerators, if not polluting the env We will only see real change when companies like Nestl, Unilever, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo, which profit from single-use models, end their expanding pl A new Greenpeace report ranks supermarkets on their efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. They have created this mess and must be held accountable. Commercial organic polymers were first synthesized a century ago, used by armies in World War II. Need more ideas? Plastic boon or curse essay - Recently, I attended the kyoto climate meeting in montreal last december, I spoke about this case. But shes not stopping there shes fighting to make reusables the norm at schools throughout California. Supermarkets are starting to talk about what they need to do. Because of the fundamental chemistry of most commonly used plastics, they are not biodegradable, so they accumulate as virtually permanent contamination in Earths ecosystems. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Bottles, pots and food trays are immediately obvious, but other types of plastic pollution can be harder to spot. The group's overall policy remains delusional - the report proposes a . As an individual, I do everything I can to reduce single-use plastic in my life. You canopt out at any time. Plastic Policy Dumpster Fire, Congress: Take Action for Plastic Free July. Going Plastic Free: What Does a Zero Waste Future Look Like? By Valerie Volcovici. Statement on the sentencing of climate activist Violet Coco. These cookies will allow us to collect statistical and anonymised data, such as how visitors use our website or which pages are accessed most frequently, to ultimately improve Greenpeace.org and provide you with a better experience of our website. In February 2022, national governments, multinationals, and environmental groups will gather for the next session of the United Nations Environment As "We need a treaty that will quickly move us away from unnecessary plastic packaging and support the development of refill and reuse systems on a globa New Greenpeace USA report details how consumer goods giants are fueling Big Oils plastic expansion, "As long as we continue to produce trillions of throwaway plastic items a year, the flow of plastic into the ocean and into our bodies will continue. If bioplastics end up in the ocean they can entangle and endanger sea life, just like regular plastic. June 2, 2021 | 5 min read Weird, informative and visually effective, Greenpeace's 'Wasteminster' castigated the British government over its handling of plastic, pouring 1.8m kilos of it over. October 24, 2019. Its time for us to reject the old corporate story that a throw-away lifestyle makes us happy. Share this website with them and show them photos and videos about plastic pollution on social media to help spread awareness about this global problem. [1] https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastic-pollution The environmental organisation is taking action against the UK's troubling relationship with plastic waste exports. Greenpeace found that no plastic not even soda bottles, one of the most prolific items thrown into recycling bins meets the threshold to be called "recyclable" according to standards set by. This is a huge problem that brings us to our headline. Plastics can come with a range of hazardous additives and can act as a chemical sponge, soaking up and concentrating other pollutants. Environmental group Greenpeace said that without a strong treaty, plastic production could double within the next 10 to 15 years, and triple by 2050. Ask world leaders to support a global plastics treaty! Help us make this a reality. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 is a comprehensive legislation that tackles the plastic pollution crisis by: Greenpeace said that companies that produce plastic should support the Global Plastics Treaty, which the group says will significantly decrease production and increase refill and reuse. Our future depends on it. Greenpeace and our allies are pushing for a treaty that centres reduction, reuse and justice not false solutions and business as usual. How does your favorite supermarket rank when it comes to reducing the plastic thats polluting our oceans, waterways, and communities? The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty will start this November, with the goal of completing the process by the end of 2024. We now know that over 90% of plastic is not recycled, and that rhetoric was an industry smokescreen in order to pump out more and more plastics for profit. Say no to straws, lids, plastic bags, and plastic takeaway containers. Ocean pollution by single use plastics has been remarkably successful for Greenpeace to keep the public in a state of outrage and the groups coffers full. . According to a report published in Science Advances from researchers at the University of California, University of Georgia, and Woods Hole Institute in Massachusetts only about 9% of plastic has been recycled, 12 % has been incinerated (polluting the air with toxic gases), and the remaining 79 %, remains in the environment. Microplastics have even been found in human poo. In total, 51 million tons of plastics were discarded by Americans . Greenpeace, the iconic environmentalist organization, now says traditional plastics recycling (separation, concentration of waste stream . Similar in principle to carbon credits, plastic credits allow polluters to offset their plastic footprint by purchasing certificates . Greenpeace Philippines. According to the 2015 Global Ocean Commission its estimated to reach 500 million tonnes a year by 2020. Useful and convenient, its also a massive pollution problem. Examples: Beverage bottles, Food bottles/jars (salad dressing, peanut butter, honey, etc.) When plastic breaks down it doesnt disappear, it gets smaller, creating tiny particles called microplastics. Find out how we can change the fishing industry. With production increasing, thats set to rise. We have been told that the individual should simply recycle away the billions of tons of plastics corporations produce and that it will make the difference needed to sustain our planet. You are visiting the Greenpeace International website. Here's what they need to do. Greedy corporations are responsible for plastic pollution, forest destruction, and the fossil-fueled climate emergency we are witnessing around the world. The bottom line is, whether you buy your fruit and vegetables and other foods loose, or wrapped in plastic, you should always wash thoroughly before consumption. Take Plastic Free July one step further this year: hold the real polluters accountable, Big brands must seize the moment to end the plastic pollution crisis, 3 Ways Were Fighting for Climate Justice this Black History Month (and Every Month). The opinions here are his own. We can bring about a simpler life without endless waste a life where people and the planet flourish. They will reject the old story, and rediscover how to produce and deliver goods in a way that respects our oceans and our planet. Facebook or Google) to track the effectiveness of our online marketing strategies and to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. Plastics made of renewable, organic biomass sources, like vegetable fats and oils, and corn starch. Purchase loose fruits and vegetables or shop at the farmers market. The North Pacific gyre creates the largest garbage site in the world: 700,000 to a million square kilometers of floating plastic. Greenpeace report finds plastics recycling is a dead-end street Majority of plastic produced in US isn't recycled, according to new report. Instead, there's growing traction for a rival grouping the High Ambition Coalition, chaired by Norway . Acceptance of Unrecyclable Plastic Products and Californias Continued Exports of Plastic Waste Exports to Non-OECD Countries. By clicking "Accept all cookies" you agree to our. We have become accustomed to associating the experience we want or need with the ownership of a thing, but we can shift the cultural mindset around st Walmart: remove misleading recycling labels from plastic products! The country imports scrap plastic, and the volume increased in 2018 when China's ban on waste imports took effect. Tell your local supermarket that you wont buy produce wrapped in plastic. It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. In addition to the Performance cookies mentioned above, we may also place in your browser cookies from third-party services (e.g. Tell Coca-Cola, Nestle and Unilever to phase out single use plastic, today! Call on your city to reinstate reusables. It can even be mistaken for food. Reply. 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, like fracked gas and oil, and it contributes to climate change throughout its life-cycle. Seabirds, whales and turtles have been found with plastic in their tums which can cause death as they can't digest real food properly. Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu If current production and waste management trends continue, by 2050, there will be 12 billion tonnes of plastic in natural environments. November 14, 2019. Plastic products should still be available for those who need them. | The scale of the problem corporations have created must be met with a fundamental shift in how they bring products to people. Greenpeace found that only . Is It True And The Same For Malaysia? A lot of this plastic is not even visible. The first is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is. Some nations are imposing recycling taxes on plastic bags. The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country, and a huge amount of it is sent abroad, most of it going to countries that arent equipped to handle it. It's time for Starbucks to rethink its strategy and accelerate the transition to reusable cups as the company is doing in Korea. However, MRFs in Minnesota rely on sophisticated mechanical and manual methods of sorting to separate plastic types with great accuracy. A high-profile Greenpeace lawsuit against Walmart Inc. over plastic packaging recyclability claims is over, at least for now, after a federal judge dismissed the environmental group's claims on. The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country, and a huge amount of it is sent abroad, most of it going to countries that arent equipped to handle it. ", New report details how fossil fuel production has created a public health crisis for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and poor communities. And demand action from the biggest plastic polluting corporations fueling the plastic crisis by continuing to cut off a major lifeline of the fossil fuel industry: single-use plastics. In mainstream society, this behaviour appears normal. Here are the plastic pollution facts you need to understand whats happening. Another year #WrappedInPlastic! 702 H Street, NW, STE 300, Washington, D.C. 20001 | 1-800-722-6995, The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have. Plastics were about to explode upon the world. Industrial fishing fleets are depleting fish stocks, but it is possible to fish without destroying our oceans. Your information is safe and secure with us read ourprivacy policy. Talk trash with your friends, family, and colleagues! Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu A plastic bag has an average use of 12 minutes, explains Greenpeace. Document the single-use plastic pushed on you, The Story of Plastic is an eye-opener on the global plastic pollution crisis, This 8th grader is fighting to make California schools plastic-free, How the plastic industry is exploiting anxiety about COVID-19. The UK can't cope with all the plastic waste companies are producing, so it's being dumped on other countries where it's harming people and wildlife. Greenpeace could have added a sixth reason: forcing people to sort and rinse their plastic garbage is a waste of everyone's time. According to Greenpeace, researchers found little change in progress toward recycling plastic waste as the use of plastics continues to grow. SYDNEY, Thursday 8 December 2022- The major national environmental law reforms announced today by Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek bring much needed hope to arresting Australia's alarming environmental decline, but the detailed policy and implementation must be strong, says Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Microplastics are just as devastating. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made, Roland Geyer, Jenna R. Jambeck, and Kara Lavender Law, Science Advances, 19 July 2017. The company produces more than five billion pounds of plastic Starbucks today announced plans to eliminate its single-use cups and encourage consumers globally to adopt reusable mugs. A new report released by Greenpeace last week confirms that trying to recycle plastic is a "dead-end street" as the organization reveals tons of material has been transported to China where it was dumped or burned, but still categorized as "recycled.". We take the security of your data seriously. Even Greenpeace finally admits the obvious: Recycling plastic doesn't work. What Will It Take to Clean Up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Some researchers estimate that we may be adding up to 12 million tonnes annually. And why going zero waste and reducing plastic production at the source is the real solution to plastic pollution and a prosperous circular economy for Were not only working on solutions to address the plastic crisis on land, were also working to help the ocean cope with the crisis. Here are a few techniques to rethink how you wrap up your gifts the waste-less way this year. Lisa Ramsden, Greenpeace USA Senior Plastics Campaigner, in a statement, says, "Corporations such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestl, and Unilever have worked with industry front groups to promote plastic recycling as the solution to plastic waste for decades. 3. r/sustainability. The Biden Administration must support a legally binding glo As we approach the end of another very challenging year, we look back on our top videos of the year. Take action on plastic. Plastic ingestion and PCBs in seabirds, P.G.Ryan, et. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Were just beginning to realise the scale of the problem, but fortunately the answer is simple: make and use less plastic. Greenpeace has released a plan showing how supermarkets can half their plastic packaging by 2025. Plastic-free and packaging-free stores are on the rise as the demand for a zero waste market is increasing. The organization's findings build on previous research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Review restaurants and cafes and recognize them when they avoid straws and plastic packaging and let them know you want them to do better when they dont. The Arctic Sunrise Departs for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, The Climate Emergency Unpacked: How Consumer Goods Companies are Fueling Big Oils Plastic Expansion, Programa de Recuperacin Justa de Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace Report: Greenpeace USAs Just Recovery Agenda, Deception by the Numbers: Claims about Chemical Recycling Dont Hold Up to Scrutiny, Health experts highlight need for reusable PPE, Over 125 health experts sign onto statement on the safety of reusables during COVID-19, The Making of an Echo Chamber: How the plastic industry exploited anxiety about COVID-19 to attack reusable bags, Throwing Away the Future: How Companies Still Have It Wrong on Plastic Pollution Solutions, Greenpeace Report: Packaging Away the Planet, COP27 Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company named worst plastic polluter for five years in a row according to 2022 Brand Audit, Newly-formed Business Coalitions Call for Reduction is Not Enough; We Need to Limit Plastic Production, Greenpeace airship flight by PepsiCo headquarters challenges the company to ditch plastic, Greenpeace USA welcomes Starbucks plans to eliminate single-use cups, encourage reusable mugs, Greenpeace USA welcomes Coca-Cola decision to make at least 25% of their packaging reusable by 2030, Greenpeace USA calls on the Biden Administration to support treaty addressing the whole lifecycle of plastics, Greenpeace USA calls for global treaty to include the whole life cycle of plastics, UN Ministerial Builds Momentum for Global Plastic Treaty, but United States continues to lag behind, Greenpeace USA, Movement for Black Lives, and Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy Release the Most Comprehensive Analysis to Date of Fossil Fuel Racism, Greenpeace responds to environmental racism in Louisianas Cancer Alley, Build Back Fossil Free Week of Action Spotlights Environmental Justice, President Biden Will Enter Office With a Mandate to Act for Climate Justice, Greenpeace USA Introduces Policy Agenda for Biden and Congress on COVID-19, Environment, and Economic Recovery, Plastics industry continues its exploitative lobbying on Ohio bill to ban plastic bans, New research shows the plastic industry is exploiting COVID-19 to attack reusable bags, Plastic monster trolls Publix around Florida to highlight the retailers plastics problem, Americas largest beverage companies announce initiative to maintain plastic use Greenpeace Response, Shopping for Plastic: The 2021 Supermarket Plastics Ranking, Tweet to Take Action: No Bailout for the Plastic Industry, Call your Congress member to support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. 1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) This is one of the most commonly used plastics. Whenever you see plastic in nature, collect it and recycle it if possible or put it in the trash can. They also called for pressure on companies that produce plastic items packaging, containers, and so forth to hold these companies accountable with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that would require them to create recycling systems for their products. Plastic pollution is also a climate, health and social justice issue. These cookies are used to recognise you between successive visits and thus provide you with a better experience, storing your consent preferences and the last Greenpeace.org website visited. They found samples from Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and elsewhere, amounting to about 18 tonnes. 103. A Holiday Wish for Coke: Stop fueling the climate crisis, Greenpeace USAs Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste WrappingNever Buy Gift Paper Again, President Biden: Extinguish the U.S. Several generations have now grown up believing that tossing out a drink container is completely normal, reasonable behaviour. Based at the University of Exeter in the UK, the laboratories provide scientific advice and analytical support to Greenpeace offices worldwide, over a range of disciplines. Plankton eaters birds, fish, and mammals often confuse plastic pellets with their food; copepods, euphausiids, and cephalopods. You dont have to leave your email address or phone number, but if you do, well use these to keep you updated on how you can get involved through petitions, campaigning, volunteering and donating. Writing for City Journal, John Tierney noted, " This has been obvious for decades to anyone who crunched the numbers, but the fantasy of . This is the year we put the onus back on corporations that are producing so much plastic pollution to say, "this is your problem, not ours. These cookies are required for technical reasons so that you can visit our website and use the functions we offer. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have banned certain microplastics. In the open ocean, plastic collects in eddies or gyres, relative calm regions surrounded by stronger ocean currents. Were just beginning to realise the scale of the problem, but fortunately the answer is simple: make and use less plastic. Plastic is everywhere. Find out how your supermarket ranked in our plastic league table, and get tips on reducing plastic in your own life. Join us in letting executives at Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestl, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, McDonalds, and others know that we no longer want products made with single-use plastic packaging. You dont have to leave your phone number, but if you do, well use it to keep you updated on how you can get involved through petitions, campaigning, volunteering and donating. Know more about the worsening plastic problem and what we can do to finally put an end to the age of plastics. The waste picker, now 20, from the city of Adana in Turkey, told Human Rights Watch (HRW): "When I inhaled, it would feel like my lungs were squeezed and under pressure. Increasing ambition on reusable packing and refill stations in-store is vital to reducing throwaway plastic. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, now dedicates himself to uncovering the many frauds perpetrated by the organization he helped form to save whales and baby seals. By ABC NEWS October 27, 2022, 8:21 AM 3:22 On Location: November 23, 2022 Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. Pieces of plastic are sharp, brittle, toxic, and routinely found in the stomachs of dead fish, turtles, and marine mammals. Now, together, Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic are scaling this up and offering the public the same opportunity to get to grips with their own plastic footprint and gather the proof we need to push the government to get it right and set a target to reduce single-use plastic by 50% by 2025 and put a ban on sending our waste to other countries. 9 December 2022- A price cap on gas and short-term rebates for household energy bills will help blunt some of the rampant price gouging by gas corporations, but a swift transition to renewables is the true solution to Australia's energy crisis, says Greenpeace Australia Pacific. | New Greenpeace Report: Plastic Recycling Is A Dead-End StreetYear After Year, Plastic Recycling Declines Even as Plastic Waste Increases Paper, cardboard, and metals are all recycled at a high rate, but plastic continues to be trash October 24, 2022 Most plastic simply cannot be recycled, a new Greenpeace USA report concludes. Moving away from polluting industries like oil needs to be fair for workers in those industries. We cannot recycle our way out of the plastic litter problem. Appeared in the Toronto Sun, December 7, 2022. Two of the world's largest corporate users of plastic, Coca-Cola and Unilever, have said that they're not convinced by plastic credits as a solution to the marine litter crisis. Now Greenpeace has seen the light, or at least a glimmer of rationality. When plastic breaks down it doesn't disappear, it gets smaller, creating tiny particles called microplastics. This time, near the PepsiCo HQ. Use our Million Acts of Blue Toolkit to learn more about how you can take action and stop single-use plastic at its source! What are the impacts on the creatures that exist in the toxic ecosystem weve created? Cheap and disposable, plastic has been a symbol of our throwaway culture. Multinational corporations often impose plastic packaging on poor nations that may lack recycling systems to deal with them. As of today, some 9 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced and spread around the world. See All Use Cloth Bags. Plastic has been found in the deepest, most remote parts of the ocean. The team analysed individual plastic components used in packaging, such as lids and films, and then modelled this data alongside weight and sales units to produce the final results. . It is estimated that up to about one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die each year from ingesting plastic or by getting tangled in nylon fishing line, nets, six-pack plastic can holders, and plastic rope. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act was just reintroduced today with strong updated language to uphold environmental justice and to hold big pla President Biden has promised to become a climate champion that must include tackling the plastic pollution crisis. What exactly does a future without reliance on single-use plastics look like? In 2017, 98% of its products, including beverages, were packaged in single-use packing. Document the single-use plastic pushed on you and use your social media to tell corporations enough is enough! To quote from an NPR article by . But the flow of plastics into the environment continues on a global scale. The equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic enters into our seas every minute, every day, all year long. Nothing that is used for a few minutes should end up polluting our oceans for a lifetime. The United States has a critical role to play in the creation of a global plastics treaty. The headline pledge was that 100% of plastic packaging would be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, but this goal will 'almost certainly be missed by most organizations', the environmental group's report said. Rex Weyler is an author, journalist and co-founder of Greenpeace International. Use reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and bags. I don't. The negotiations, This is a huge problem that brings us to our headline. al. To the plastics industry, this is a global success story. For Earths beleaguered ecosystems, for all non-human species, and for anyone paying attention, plastics have been a deadly disaster. Many of the freedoms and rights we cherish as Australians were won and defended . Marine species, including fish, seabirds and even marine mammals, can end up eating pieces of plastic, and at the same time get an additional dose of toxic chemicals. What's the solution to the plastic problem? Find out what the just transition means. And yet, the government's own research (you know . Microbeads, another type of microplastic, are sometimes added to products such as cosmetics and toothpaste. Plastic pollution is destroying our planet and disproportionately impacting low-income and Black and Brown communities. Plastic bag bans already exist in some cities and countries around the world: San Francisco and Portland in the US; Modbury in the UK; Mexico City; Delhi, Mumbai, Karwar, Rajasthan in India; Oyster Bay and other communities in Australia; and throughout Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco and many other African countries. According to global brand audits, PepsiCo is one of the worlds worst plastic polluters. The Federal Government today unveiled new measures to rein in . They will reject the old story, and rediscover how to produce and deliver goods in a way that respects our oceans and our planet. And if industry has its way, plastic production could double by 2030. The assessment found that across the board, U.S. supermarkets are failing to adequately implement plastic reduction in their packaging, Greenpeace says. Greenpeace investigators found British plastic waste being dumped and burned in Turkey on the roadside, near waterways and in the open air, and people nearby have reported serious health problems. At Greenpeace, we think the industry plays a larger role than individuals. Do you want to. But the very qualities that make plastic so useful also make it a huge problem. Turtles, dolphins and seabirds can become entangled or injured by large pieces of plastic. SYDNEY, 7 December 2022 - The following statement is attributable to David Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Facebook or Google) to track the effectiveness of our online marketing strategies and to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. According to a 2016 plastic industry report, the worlds plastic production has grown by 8.6% per year since 1950: from 1.5 million tonnes annually to over 330 million tonnes annually. In the 1970s, the petrochemical and fossil fuel industry, alongside consumer goods giants, spent millions of dollars on ads to push the myth of plastic recycling to trick customers into believing that recycling was a real solution for the explosion of plastic packaging. In June this year, Greenpeace Germany activists protested at the G20 conference in Bremen and demanded that wealthy nations take concrete steps to reduce the use of plastics by banning key sources of plastic pollution and phasing out single-use plastic items. Microplastics have even been found in human poo. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. According to the report from Greenpeace, only 5% of the plastic we recycle is recycled. To help fight back against the plastic industry rhetoric that single-use plastic is inherently safer, will you take a moment to write a letter to the Target is selling you products that are labeled as recyclable, but in fact, are not. Please select which cookies you are willing to store. The corporation produced 1.7 million tonnes of plastic last year as a result of its throwaway packaging. For too long, corporations have put the onus on all of us to deal with their own failed design problem. Our own researchers have found plastic pollution in Antarctica. Without large-scale action, global plastic production continues to rise. Were demanding that corporations take responsibility for the plastic pollution crisis and end the use of destructive single-use plastics and packaging. Plastics! This became one of the most famous film lines from the 1960s era. In addition to the Performance cookies mentioned above, we may also place in your browser cookies from third-party services (e.g. As of today, some 9 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced and spread around the world. Ocean Justice would harness a power shift that advances their full participation and leadership in ocean decision-making and secure their equal access We want to make sure that PepsiCo hears us loud and clear: its time to ditch plastic and switch to systems of refill and reuse. Demand big corporations do their part to end plastic pollution! A family friend approaches him and says, Ben I have one word for you: Plastics. Ben nods and stares into space, oblivious to the career advice. Swallowed by everything from microscopic zooplankton to giant blue whales, they enter the food chain and carry harmful toxins. You can share your images highlighting the problem in one of 3 ways: Doing a trash clean up? So-called bioplastics might seem like a great idea, but they can actually be just as bad as normal plastic. As many Canadians know by now, the Trudeau government has declared war on plastic waste, as part of the larger "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions plan launched in 2020. Our oceans are slowly turning into a plastic soup, and the effects on ocean life are chilling. There are five major ocean gyres; two in the Atlantic, north and south, two in the Pacific, and one in the Indian Ocean, plus dozens of smaller gyres. This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to have your gift 5X MATCHED for all donations to Greenpeace USA up to a total of $100,000 and make a meaningful impact on our fight to save . Of 51 million tons of plastic waste created in 2021 by U.S. households only 2.4 million tons were recycled, according to their Circular Claims Fall Flat Again report released this week. Coca-Colas plastics problem is beyond being a litter and ocean problem. But what actually happens to the plastic waste we put out for collection? As global demand for oil declines, the fossil fuel industry is turning to plastics to stay afloat. Supermarkets are starting to talk about what they need to do. Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu Here are the steps you can take now to end plastic pollution: It is going to take commitments both large and small to tackle the scale of the plastic pollution crisis in front of us, and we all have a role to play. But then, making life more pleasant for humans has never been high on the green agenda. Replace plastic items at home with alternatives made from natural materials (bamboo toothbrushes, glass jars, wooden toys). We use 13 million straws every day, according to Greenpeace: we use them for a few minutes but they take up to 500 years to degrade, causing very serious damage to ecosystems. "U.S. retailers are moving at a snail's pace on plastic reduction efforts," said Greenpeace USA Oceans Campaign Director John Hocevar in a press release. It should not take a visit from the United Nations Human Rights Council for Coke, Pepsi, and Proctor and Gamble to recognize their impact on communiti Thousands of Activists Push Biden to End Fossil Fuel Era, "We have never been closer than we are right now to ending fossil fuel racism and ushering in the era of the Green New Deal.". Greenpeace research estimates that only around 5 percent of the plastic waste produced in the United States in 2021 was recycled. Join the Rainbow Warrior and Beluga as they set sail to find out all about it. We use cookies to enhance your experience. Do you want to, Rex Weyler was a director of the original Greenpeace Foundation, the editor of the organisation's first newsletter, and a co-founder of Greenpeace International in 1979. October 31, 2019. It appears that Greenpeace is using all plastics created as a denominator - that includes durable goods, playground equipment, railway ties, even toilet seats, that are meant to last many years as well as non-durable goods not intended for recycling such as garbage bags and other products. Ang #2022Wrapped ng mga PLASTIC! But plastic isnt just a problem for wildlife. However, the situation is a lot more complicated than we think. A Greenpeacereport released today, Packaging Away the Planet, ranks 20 of the largest U.S. grocery retailers for the first time on their efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. 284934). effectively to process into new materials, and that recycling has "failed" for this reason. The Arctic Sunrise is visiting the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a soupy mix of plastics and microplastics, now twice the size of Texas, in the middle Much of the plastic that we throw away ends up in our oceans. The gyre contains six kilograms of plastic for every kilogram of plankton. It's lightweight, strong, typically transparent and is often used in food packaging and fabrics (polyester). The group has issued a report accompanied by a press release headlined, "Plastic Recycling Is A Dead-End Street - Year After Year, Plastic Recycling Declines Even as Plastic Waste Increases.". Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London N1 2PN. Released this morning (17 May) the report, called 'Trashed', detailed findings from a Greenpeace UK investigation in March 2021. Banning plastic bags is a good start, but we need large-scale global bans on throw-away plastic containers, including water bottles, juice and drink bottles, and other packing materials. Ive attended allegedly green events, where organizers distribute hundreds, perhaps thousands of plastic water bottles. Plastics are closely correlated with economic growth. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. @gpph. Greenpeace believes that if supermarkets put the findings into practice, plastic packaging could be halved in the next five years. And then I moved there now when the weight problem of young science fiction novels are an environmental activist with greenpeace from 1971258 since then, he has gone on to caroline knapp, a humane and thoughtful . Greenpeace issued a report accompanied by a press release headlined "Plastic Recycling Is A Dead-End Street -- Year . November 7, 2019. According to a 2016 plastic industry report, the world's plastic production has grown by 8.6% per year since 1950: from 1.5 million tonnes annually to over 330 million tonnes annually. We use tracking and analysis tools to ensure continuous optimisation and demand-oriented design of our website. Throughout the end of December, Teen Vogue is releasing a series that looks at the plastic pollution crisis and the incredible momentum for a world be Our oceans are choking with single-use plastic. The Greenpeace article found: "Mechanical and chemical recycling of plastic waste has largely failed and will always fail because plastic waste is: (1) extremely difficult to collect, (2 . We use tracking and analysis tools to ensure continuous optimisation and demand-oriented design of our website. Rex's c, We use cookies to enhance your experience. A former child worker has spoken out about the lingering health impact of working at a plastic recycling plant in Turkey - where EU states send nearly 500 metric tonnes of waste each year.. Radio Free never takes money from corporations, keeping our focus on people, not profits. The Greenpeace airship flies again! Much of it flows into the oceans, turning them into a plastic soup. Food and drink companies in particular need to slash the amount of unnecessary plastic packaging they use. Greenpeace Environmental Trust (Charity No. It is estimated that up to, With enough pressure from our supporters and allies around the world. Recycling is not and has never been a real solution for plastics, and our environment, oceans, and communities are paying the devastating price for the crisis. Plastic is now entering every level of the ocean food chain and is even ending up in the seafood on our plates. Of course, using less plastic isnt easy for everyone. At the United Nations Environmental Assembly last March, governments officially adopted a mandate opening negotiations for a global, legally-binding plastics treaty to address the whole lifecycle of plastics. Find out where your supermarket ranks in the latest plastics league table. Heres what they need to do. However, plastic is not just an ocean and waste problem, it is also a climate, health and social justice problem. It can even be mistaken for food. They first entered consumer production in the 1950s. In the film The Graduate, young university graduate, Ben (Dustin Hoffman) appears annoyed and distracted when his wealthy American parents stage an elaborate party to show him off to their peers. and polyester clothing or rope. Another preventable shipping disaster is polluting our oceans with plastics. The human garbage the found originated from all over the world. 5 minute read Nov. 28, 2022. The flood of plastic in our environment is a typical example. Watch these videos and you'll find out. Greenpeace report sparks plastic export concerns Concerns over plastic exports have been raised following a report by Greenpeace, which showed plastic waste shipped from the UK to Turkey illegally dumped and burned. Wildlife becomes ensnared in discarded plastic and microplastics are eaten by ocean creatures. December 9, 2022 Pollution, recycling Many of us see recycling as the easiest means of combating plastic waste and ensuring that it does not end up in the environment. Beyond continuing to drive the climate crisis, petrochemical and plastic production have deadly health and environmental impacts and a long history of environmental racism, from the U.S. Gulf Coast's Cancer Alley where the plastic industry is poisoning Black, Brown and frontline communities to China's Cancer Village in the Global South. So Greenpeace is also calling for 25% of packaging to be reusable by 2025, and 50% . Watch Peak Plastic Foundations docuseries: Voices from the Fenceline that tells the powerful, real stories of community members and activists who liv Join us for the U.S. plastic policy flaming dumpster tour Washington D.C. We need an ambitious, binding global treaty that will keep plastic out of nature, of course, but will also address other impacts of plastic production For Plastic Free July, lets ramp up the fight to pass the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. We need to reverse this trend by increasing public investment in water fountains, water filling stations, water hook-ups for public events, and bans on plastic drink bottles. The fossil fuel industrys increased reliance on plastics will be just as harmful for people and the planet. Bits of plastic have been found in every corner of the world, including the deepest ocean trenches and on uninhabited islands. For Plastic Free July, let's call on Congress to support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. An effort to end plastic pollution by 2040 is dividing the United States and the European Union. This Plastic Free July, join Greenpeace in turning up the heat on big brands. Supermarkets still aren't doing enough to reduce plastic - but who's making the most progress? For some disabled people, for example, single-use plastic is, Find out how your supermarket ranked in our. | Your information is safe and secure with us read our privacy policy. These cookies may also be used to serve advertising to you after you have left our site (retargeting cookies). Which supermarkets are worst for plastic? Greenpeace said the report is evidence that voluntary corporate targets have failed and called on the U.N. to forge a . The plastic industry is using COVID-19 to exploit peoples fears around sanitation and hygiene to interfere with legislation banning or regulating the use of single-use plastic bags. Big plastic-polluting corporations like Coca-Cola, Nestl and PepsiCo are driving this growth and their failure to end their reliance on single-use plastics and invest in reuse and refill is contributing to fossil fuel production expansion, and laying the groundwork for a devastating boom in single-use plastics. The Zero Waste Living Lab identifies four potential business models that emerge as building blocks of a single-use, plastic-free future. Ecology teaches us, however, that there is no away. Everything that passes through our hands ends up somewhere. Every action to reduce single-use plastics sends a message to the industry that its time to change. Thats the weight of 100 million blue whales 5,000 times the actual blue whale population left on Earth. In fact, a new study from the New England Medical Journal indicates that coronaviruses can survive on plastic surfaces for 2-3 days, and on cardboard for 24 hours. Among seabirds, the Procellariiformes (albatross, petrels, shearwaters) are most vulnerable due to their small gizzard and inability to regurgitate the plastics. Greenpeace Research Laboratories (Exeter, UK) The Greenpeace Research Laboratories form the Science Unit of Greenpeace International. What are the alternatives to plastic packaging? Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling on the government to advocate for the interests of people and climate in negotiations for a global treaty that will end plastic pollution after the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). Learn about the causes of the climate crisis and the solutions to tackle it. According to Greenpeace USA's survey, only two types of plastic are widely accepted at the nation's 375 material recovery facilities. Together, we can do better. Ask Justin Trudeau and other world leaders to support a strong global plastics treaty! Aldi and Sainsbury's have committed to halving their plastic footprint by 2025. Mandatory phase out timelines said Maack, would motivateinnovation [and] G20 competition to identify and implement the most innovative solutions, contributing far more than continued talks.. You are visiting the Greenpeace International website. New contra-rotating turbine design produces double the energy of the world's largest turbine The company behind it hopes to have a massive 30-MW model by 2029. interestingengineering. Researchers have found plastic in the stomachs of 44% of all seabird species, 22% of cetacean species, and in all sea turtle species. Our oceans are slowly turning into a plastic soup, and the effects on ocean life are chilling. To the plastics industry, this is a "global success story." Conventional plastic recycling doesn't workeven Greenpeace says so. ), but we also need governments to enforce requirements that corporations who manufacture or distribute plastic, take responsibility for recycling 100% of their production and distribution. Greenpeace has released a plan showing how supermarkets can half their plastic packaging by 2025. Greenpeace also claims that it is impossible to sort the various types of plastic (#1, #2, #5, etc.) . Bring your own glass container or mesh baggies and buy grains, nuts, and other items in the bulk section. We expect to drop further as more plastic is produced. Big brands need to do more and increase their investment in reusable and refillable systems. For some disabled people, for example, single-use plastic is essential to their health or quality of life. Although people found no plastic not even soda bottles, one of the plastics used a lot, meaning that it is constantly being recycled can be called "recyclable.". Visit Greenpeace Fund, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable entity created to increase public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through research, the media and educational programs. 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Sri Lankas shores are flooding with plastic, Plastic pollution is a global problem Starbucks needs to take global action, Coca-Cola its time to stop your pollution at source, Plastic is a climate, health and social justice issue, Congress: Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021, President Biden: Act to solve the plastic pollution crisis, The future of holiday gifting is secondhand, Whats At Stake in 2020: A Plastic-Free Future, Exposed: Big Oil lobbies Trump Administration to expand plastics across Africa, The plastics industry continues to treat Black and Brown lives as disposable, How to Participate in Plastic Free July 2020, The Story of Plastic is an eye-opener on the global plastic pollution crisis, On Earth Day, lets shape this plastic-free future together, How the plastic industry is exploiting anxiety about COVID-19, Recycling isnt dead, but plastic is killing it, Going Plastic Free: The Rise of Zero Waste Shopping, Going Plastic Free: 4 Zero Waste Strategies for Businesses. Our own researchers have. But the data is clear: practically speaking, most plastic is just not recyclable. essential to their health or quality of life. As the worlds most developed nations, said Thilo Maack of Greenpeace Germany, the G20 countries have a responsibility to adopt legally-binding solutions. If you forget your reusable coffee mug at a coffee shop, ask to have your coffee for here in a real mug and drink it there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A strong global plastics treaty must ensure a holistic approach to ending the plastic crisis by: Please select which cookies you are willing to store. As a result, vast quantities pollute our world. Even clothes made from artificial materials shed microplastic fibres when theyre washed. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 1988. October 24, 2022 Plastic recycling remains a 'myth': Greenpeace study by Issam AHMED A Greenpeace USA study found that of 51 million tons of plastic waste generated by US households in. Why is it that something intended to be used for minutes is packaged in something that lasts forever? It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. Greenpeace campaigner, Juressa Lee says "If big oil and plastic polluters like Coca-Cola have their way, these negotiations will be derailed and we will end up with a weak and ineffective treaty. Greenpeace Protests Last year, an audit of plastic pollution found that Nestl is one of the top three plastic polluters in the world. The Guardian has reported that marine scientists documented 38 million pieces of plastic on the remote, uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific. The new documentary film that BIG PLASTIC doesnt want you to see. Press Release - Greenpeace. We can fight for total bans on plastic materials (bags, bottles, etc. Refuse plastic whenever possible. Tell President Biden to champion an ambitious international agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. 1. The solution we' Wanna know where plastic pollution really starts and ends? These fatal flaws have been clear since the start of the recycling movement. But plastic isnt just a problem for wildlife. . Sign our petition demanding that the CEOs of seven of the largest producers of single-use plastics take responsibility for their products. According to a survey by Greenpeace USA, only two types of plastic are widely accepted at the country's 375 recycling facilities. Learn about the connections between single-use plastic, fossil fuels and the climate crisis. Its time these companies acknowledge the entire destructive life-cycle of plastics, stop propping up the fossil fuel industry, and commit to moving away from single-use plastic completely. Jinali has a plan to move her school away from single-use plastics at the age of 13! changing the way corporations deliver products to people with focus on refill and reuse; demanding full transparency on plastic production, use, import and export; requiring wealthy countries to lead the zero-waste transition and help others; ensuring Indigenous Peoples, frontline communities, waste pickers and other affected workers have a voice in designing a just transition to a reuse economy. Discover why sanctuaries are vital to keep the oceans healthy. , the biggest companies like Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks, McDonalds, Unilever, Nestl, and Procter & Gamble will embrace a better model through innovation and redesign. Much of the UKs plastic waste is dumped and burned overseas, affecting people's health. Even as some countries are split on the approach the treaty should take, some observers said there seems to be growing agreement that plastic pollution is not just about waste ending up in the ocean. Greenpeace and plastic Term 1 / 10 campaigner Click the card to flip Definition 1 / 10 person who is trying to attract attention to a particular issue Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by LoisCD2 Terms in this set (10) campaigner person who is trying to attract attention to a particular issue launch Many of us spend time carefully sorting our recycling. In a new research brief, Greenpeace USA details the ways the plastics industry is exploiting peoples fears around COVID-19. A truckload of plastic enters the ocean every single minute and UK supermarkets produce 800,000 tonnes every year. It is up to all of us to demand better to tell these corporate giants that we will no longer tolerate the plastics they force upon us. World Plastic production 1950 2015: Plastic Industry report, 2016, 38 million pieces of plastic waste on uninhabited island: Guardian, 2017, Plastic pellets on all UK beaches: Guardian, Pollution in 10 km deep Mariana Trench:Guardian, Plastic statistics, stats: Eco Watch , 2014, Greenpeace calls on G20 to act for plastic-free oceans.

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