So-called bioplastics might seem like a great idea, but they can actually be just as bad as normal plastic. Economic success without ecological consciousness can end in disaster. 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. 5 minute read Nov. 28, 2022. Marine birds and plastic pollution, Marie Y. Azzarello & Edward S. Van Vleet, Marine Ecology, 1987. Plastic is incredibly versatile and long-lasting, finding its way into every corner of our lives. Greenpeace is urging the other major supermarkets to do the same. Acceptance of Unrecyclable Plastic Products and Californias Continued Exports of Plastic Waste Exports to Non-OECD Countries. 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. Radio Free never takes money from corporations, keeping our focus on people, not profits. Recycling alone is simply never going to solve this problem. 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. Ask world leaders to support a global plastics treaty! 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. Plastic-free and packaging-free stores are on the rise as the demand for a zero waste market is increasing. "There is not a single place that individuals are confronted with more single-use plastic than in our grocery stores, yet these companies continue to drag their feet and offer excuses. 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. 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. Some nations are imposing recycling taxes on plastic bags. November 14, 2019. Every year, were adding millions of tons more plastic to marine environments. Governments should prioritise prevention at source., Citizens can put pressure on their governments to require glass bottles for drinks, substitute packing materials with materials that are reusable. By ABC NEWS October 27, 2022, 8:21 AM 3:22 On Location: November 23, 2022 Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. 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. Greenpeace said the report is evidence that voluntary corporate targets have failed and called on the U.N. to forge a . Replace plastic items at home with alternatives made from natural materials (bamboo toothbrushes, glass jars, wooden toys). Greenpeace research estimates that only around 5 percent of the plastic waste produced in the United States in 2021 was recycled. But then, making life more pleasant for humans has never been high on the green agenda. Even clothes made from artificial materials shed microplastic fibres when theyre washed. 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. 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. "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. 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. They will reject the old story, and rediscover how to produce and deliver goods in a way that respects our oceans and our planet. Big brands need to do more and increase their investment in reusable and refillable systems. The plastics obstruct the animals intestines, block gastric enzyme secretion and there are growing fears that they might also disrupt hormone levels or cause other biological effects as a result of the chemical burden they carry. As the makers of plastic the oil and gas industry double down on plastics as the next frontier for future petrochemical production, we must fight back to expose the fossil fuel industry hiding behind plastics. Use reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and bags. As an individual, I do everything I can to reduce single-use plastic in my life. According to global brand audits, PepsiCo is one of the worlds worst plastic polluters. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 1988. 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. Plastic has been found in the deepest, most remote parts of the ocean. Reply. How much plastic is in the ocean, and where does it come from? Tell your local supermarket that you wont buy produce wrapped in plastic. Swallowed by everything from microscopic zooplankton to giant blue whales, they enter the food chain and carry harmful toxins. Oct. 24 (UPI) -- About 95% of the plastic used by U.S. households winds up in landfills rather than at the recycling station, environmental group Greenpeace said Monday. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. The organization's findings build on previous research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 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. | As a result, vast quantities pollute our world. Pieces of plastic are sharp, brittle, toxic, and routinely found in the stomachs of dead fish, turtles, and marine mammals. Plastic Policy Dumpster Fire, Congress: Take Action for Plastic Free July. 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. Instead, there's growing traction for a rival grouping the High Ambition Coalition, chaired by Norway . The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty will start this November, with the goal of completing the process by the end of 2024. Among seabirds, the Procellariiformes (albatross, petrels, shearwaters) are most vulnerable due to their small gizzard and inability to regurgitate the plastics. Together, we can do better. 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. Microplastics have even been found in human poo. We will never create the green and peaceful future we all want if racist systems continue to divide and exploit us. Greenpeace, the iconic environmentalist organization, now says traditional plastics recycling (separation, concentration of waste stream . 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. Say no to straws, lids, plastic bags, and plastic takeaway containers. Of course, using less plastic isnt easy for everyone. Document the single-use plastic pushed on you and use your social media to tell corporations enough is enough! 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). 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. How does your favorite supermarket rank when it comes to reducing the plastic thats polluting our oceans, waterways, and communities? We cannot recycle our way out of the plastic litter problem. 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. 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. 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. 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. Single-use plastics are filling up our landfills, choking our rivers, and contaminating our oceans. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have banned certain microplastics. WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The first round of negotiations on a global plastics treaty ended on Friday with agreement to end plastic pollution but a split on whether goals . Plastic pollution is destroying our planet and disproportionately impacting low-income and Black and Brown communities. Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu Greedy corporations are responsible for plastic pollution, forest destruction, and the fossil-fueled climate emergency we are witnessing around the world. Find out what the just transition means. 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. Know more about the worsening plastic problem and what we can do to finally put an end to the age of plastics. The first intergovernmental committee meeting (INC-1) for an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded today with a mix of high and low moments, setting the stage for a two-year-long process that could result in one of the most significant multilateral environmental agreements in history. 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. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. 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. Appeared in the Toronto Sun, December 7, 2022. al. Turtles, dolphins and seabirds can become entangled or injured by large pieces of plastic. The future treaty has a huge potential to put the world on a path towards a plastic-free future but it will be up to us to make sure that it delivers on its promises. This is a huge problem that brings us to our headline. Find out how we can change the fishing industry. A lot of this plastic is not even visible. essential to their health or quality of life. Here are a few techniques to rethink how you wrap up your gifts the waste-less way this year. The North Pacific gyre creates the largest garbage site in the world: 700,000 to a million square kilometers of floating plastic. 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. With production increasing, thats set to rise. 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 . Greenpeace believes that if supermarkets put the findings into practice, plastic packaging could be halved in the next five years. 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. Call on your city to reinstate reusables. For far too long, corporations have put the onus on all of us to deal with their own failed design problem. 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. Without large-scale action, global plastic production continues to rise. Many of us spend time carefully sorting our recycling. 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. . 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. 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). Discover why sanctuaries are vital to keep the oceans healthy. It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. Your information is safe and secure with us read our privacy policy. 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. 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. Can you find President Biden to call on him to protect global oceans? Turtles, dolphins and seabirds can become entangled or injured by large pieces of plastic. 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.". Plastic is now entering every level of the ocean food chain and is even ending up in the seafood on our plates. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. 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. Plastic pollution is also a climate, health and social justice issue. Need more ideas? 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. According to Greenpeace, researchers found little change in progress toward recycling plastic waste as the use of plastics continues to grow. SYDNEY, 7 December 2022 - The following statement is attributable to David Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. 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. The new documentary film that BIG PLASTIC doesnt want you to see. The country imports scrap plastic, and the volume increased in 2018 when China's ban on waste imports took effect. It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. This is how the future of a localized, circular and zero waste economy can increase human health and well-being, regenerate ecosystems, and create val Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu We use tracking and analysis tools to ensure continuous optimisation and demand-oriented design of our website. Take action on plastic. effectively to process into new materials, and that recycling has "failed" for this reason. 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. 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. What's the solution to the plastic problem? These fatal flaws have been clear since the start of the recycling movement. Its time to bust those plastic myths once and for all. Even Greenpeace finally admits the obvious: Recycling plastic doesn't work. 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. Cheap and disposable, plastic has been a symbol of our throwaway culture. The negotiations, 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. 1. Much of the UKs plastic waste is dumped and burned overseas, affecting people's health. Going Plastic Free: What Does a Zero Waste Future Look Like? 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 Our climate is breaking down, but it's in our power to prevent it getting worse. Plankton eaters birds, fish, and mammals often confuse plastic pellets with their food; copepods, euphausiids, and cephalopods. The assessment found that across the board, U.S. supermarkets are failing to adequately implement plastic reduction in their packaging, Greenpeace says. But plastic isnt just a problem for wildlife. Get involved and help improve free and open access to journalism for all. 6 months of inaction: Wheres President Biden in Protecting our Oceans? 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. Every action to reduce single-use plastics sends a message to the industry that its time to change. 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. 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. The flood of plastic in our environment is a typical example. olumn reflects on the roots of activism, environmentalism, and Greenpeace's past, present, and future. Facebook or Google) to track the effectiveness of our online marketing strategies and to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. You canopt out at any time. Moving away from polluting industries like oil needs to be fair for workers in those industries. Some researchers estimate that we may be adding up to 12 million tonnes annually. Microbeads, another type of microplastic, are sometimes added to products such as cosmetics and toothpaste. Greenpeace issued a report accompanied by a press release headlined "Plastic Recycling Is A Dead-End Street -- Year . 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). We take the security of your data seriously. But the very qualities that make plastic so useful also make it a huge problem. Wildlife becomes ensnared in discarded plastic and microplastics are eaten by ocean creatures. 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. A lot of people do. Statement from Greenpeace USA Oceans Campaign Director John Hocevar. 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. 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. We use cookies to enhance your experience. 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. Food and drink companies in particular need to slash the amount of unnecessary plastic packaging they use. The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty will start this November, with the goal of completing the process by the end of 2024. 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. Ask Justin Trudeau and other world leaders to support a strong global plastics treaty! Plastic boon or curse essay - Recently, I attended the kyoto climate meeting in montreal last december, I spoke about this case. 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.". Help us identify and expose the corporations contributing to plastic pollution on our beaches and in other natural areas by adding a brand audit to your cleanup! In a new research brief, Greenpeace USA details the ways the plastics industry is exploiting peoples fears around COVID-19. The solution we' Wanna know where plastic pollution really starts and ends? Many of the freedoms and rights we cherish as Australians were won and defended . Carry your own utensils or a wooden spork and avoid using plastic utensils. As of today, some 9 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced and spread around the world. All Rights Reserved. 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. What really happens to my plastic recycling? In 2017, 98% of its products, including beverages, were packaged in single-use packing. 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. 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. | 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. 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. The scale of the problem corporations have created must be met with a fundamental shift in how they bring products to people. 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. Do you want to. Plastic is everywhere. Heres what they need to do. Were just beginning to realise the scale of the problem, but fortunately the answer is simple: make and use less plastic. I don't. 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. Purchase loose fruits and vegetables or shop at the farmers market. But plastic isnt just a problem for wildlife. 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.. Greenpeace analyzed the US' roughly 370 material recovery facilities to conduct its surveys. According to the 2015 Global Ocean Commission its estimated to reach 500 million tonnes a year by 2020. However, plastic is not just an ocean and waste problem, it is also a climate, health and social justice problem. Plastic packaging created a global shift from reusable containers to single-use, throw-away containers. In addition to the Performance cookies mentioned above, we may also place in your browser cookies from third-party services (e.g. For too long, corporations have put the onus on all of us to deal with their own failed design problem. 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. 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. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have. But the flow of plastics into the environment continues on a global scale. 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. The corporation produced 1.7 million tonnes of plastic last year as a result of its throwaway packaging. Our oceans are slowly turning into a plastic soup, and the effects on ocean life are chilling. However, it takes more than five decades to degrade. October 24, 2019. . . Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London N1 2PN. And yet, the government's own research (you know . Here are more individual actions you can take on a daily basis to help solve this problem: The new documentary film that BIG PLASTIC doesnt want you to see. | Much of it flows into the oceans, turning them into a plastic soup. By Valerie Volcovici. Is It True And The Same For Malaysia? Jinali has a plan to move her school away from single-use plastics at the age of 13! Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made, Roland Geyer, Jenna R. Jambeck, and Kara Lavender Law, Science Advances, 19 July 2017. These cookies are required for technical reasons so that you can visit our website and use the functions we offer. So Greenpeace is also calling for 25% of packaging to be reusable by 2025, and 50% . This time, near the PepsiCo HQ. 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 . Swallowed by everything from microscopic zooplankton to giant blue whales, they enter the food chain and carry harmful toxins. Refuse plastic whenever possible. We can bring about a simpler life without endless waste a life where people and the planet flourish. By clicking "Accept all cookies" you agree to our. It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Greenpeace Protests Last year, an audit of plastic pollution found that Nestl is one of the top three plastic polluters in the world. As the worlds most developed nations, said Thilo Maack of Greenpeace Germany, the G20 countries have a responsibility to adopt legally-binding solutions. A truckload of plastic enters the ocean every single minute and UK supermarkets produce 800,000 tonnes every year. They first entered consumer production in the 1950s. . Bits of plastic have been found in every corner of the world, including the deepest ocean trenches and on uninhabited islands. Plastics can come with a range of hazardous additives and can act as a chemical sponge, soaking up and concentrating other pollutants. The human garbage the found originated from all over the world. Similar in principle to carbon credits, plastic credits allow polluters to offset their plastic footprint by purchasing certificates . Greenpeace could have added a sixth reason: forcing people to sort and rinse their plastic garbage is a waste of everyone's time. 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. 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. But the data is clear: practically speaking, most plastic is just not recyclable. Demand big corporations do their part to end plastic pollution! When plastic breaks down it doesn't disappear, it gets smaller, creating tiny particles called microplastics. Researchers have found plastic in the stomachs of 44% of all seabird species, 22% of cetacean species, and in all sea turtle species. 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. The plastic industry is using COVID-19 to exploit peoples fears around sanitation and hygiene to interfere with legislation banning or regulating the A shocking new Greenpeace report reveals that most types of single-use plastic are not recyclable in the United States. The United States has a critical role to play in the creation of a global plastics treaty. 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. The equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic enters into our seas every minute, every day, all year long. People around the world have come together to end plastic pollution, and its working. In Hawaii, south of this gyre, a dead turtle was found with over a thousand pieces of plastic in its stomach. Help us make this a reality. Ang #2022Wrapped ng mga PLASTIC! Here are the plastic pollution facts you need to understand whats happening. Of course, using less plastic isnt easy for everyone. Were all worried about the issue of plastic packaging but whats the real solution? Locally, in some environments, these bans have reduced plastic waste. The Guardian has reported that marine scientists documented 38 million pieces of plastic on the remote, uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific. and polyester clothing or rope. And if industry has its way, plastic production could double by 2030. Microplastics have even been found in human poo. They have created this mess and must be held accountable. Were demanding that corporations take responsibility for the plastic pollution crisis and end the use of destructive single-use plastics and packaging. 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. Another preventable shipping disaster is polluting our oceans with plastics. Plastics helped create a throwaway culture. 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. October 31, 2019. Examples: Beverage bottles, Food bottles/jars (salad dressing, peanut butter, honey, etc.) Greenpeace Research Laboratories (Exeter, UK) The Greenpeace Research Laboratories form the Science Unit of Greenpeace International. And the damage continues. Bring your own glass container or mesh baggies and buy grains, nuts, and other items in the bulk section. 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. We can fight for total bans on plastic materials (bags, bottles, etc. [1] https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastic-pollution In mainstream society, this behaviour appears normal. Our world deserves better, and we dont need their products if they refuse to adapt. 103. 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. Greenpeace Environmental Trust (Charity No. 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. These cookies are required for technical reasons so that you can visit our website and use the functions we offer. 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. John Hocevar, our Oceans Campaigns Director, explains the impact of plastic pollution in the Anacostia River, near his home in Washington, D.C., and how recycling is a false solution to combating the plastic crisis. The Greenpeace airship flies again! It is estimated that up to, With enough pressure from our supporters and allies around the world. 1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) This is one of the most commonly used plastics. Tell Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestl to stop fueling the climate crisis. 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. Whenever you see plastic in nature, collect it and recycle it if possible or put it in the trash can. The Zero Waste Living Lab identifies four potential business models that emerge as building blocks of a single-use, plastic-free future. 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. The first is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is. 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.". Find out how your supermarket ranked in our plastic league table, and get tips on reducing plastic in your own life. You can share your images highlighting the problem in one of 3 ways: Doing a trash clean up? Ive attended allegedly green events, where organizers distribute hundreds, perhaps thousands of plastic water bottles. According to Greenpeace USA's survey, only two types of plastic are widely accepted at the nation's 375 material recovery facilities. 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. Find out where your supermarket ranks in the latest plastics league table. . Going Plastic Free: 3 Myths About Ending Plastic Pollution, The Bermuda Triangle Has a Plastic Problem (And What You Can Do About It), Greenpeace Ships Are Setting Sail to Tackle the Global Plastic Pollution Crisis, Plastic Straws Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg, Teen Vogue Joined Greenpeace at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Heres What They Saw, Toxic Ecosystems: The Impact of Plastic on Marine Life, These 10 Companies are Flooding the Planet with Throwaway Plastic. Writing for City Journal, John Tierney noted, " This has been obvious for decades to anyone who crunched the numbers, but the fantasy of . 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. However, MRFs in Minnesota rely on sophisticated mechanical and manual methods of sorting to separate plastic types with great accuracy. To the plastics industry, this is a "global success story." 702 H Street, NW, STE 300, Washington, D.C. 20001 | 1-800-722-6995, Greenpeace US Joins Ocean Justice Forum in Announcing Platform. Impossible to filter from waste water, they end up in our oceans. Tell Coca-Cola, Nestle and Unilever to phase out single use plastic, today! ), 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. . We expect to drop further as more plastic is produced. Statement on the sentencing of climate activist Violet Coco. 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. It's lightweight, strong, typically transparent and is often used in food packaging and fabrics (polyester). Environmental group Greenpeace said that without a strong treaty, plastic production could double within the next 10 to 15 years, and triple by 2050. 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! When plastic breaks down it doesnt disappear, it gets smaller, creating tiny particles called microplastics. However, the situation is a lot more complicated than we think. Its time for us to reject the old corporate story that a throw-away lifestyle makes us happy. Because of the fundamental chemistry of most commonly used plastics, they are not biodegradable, so they accumulate as virtually permanent contamination in Earths ecosystems. 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. This short scene foreshadowed the age that followed. Here's what they need to do. Greenpeace Admits Plastic Recycling Doesn't Actually Work. The annual amounts imported by Thailand from 2018 vary according to different . Increasing ambition on reusable packing and refill stations in-store is vital to reducing throwaway plastic. The gyres accumulate plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic containers, plastic drums, polystyrene packing, foam pieces, polypropylene fishing net, plastic rope, plastic traffic cones, disposable lighters, plastic toys, rubber tires, plastic toothbrushes, and other unidentifiable bits and pieces. Useful and convenient, its also a massive pollution problem. At Greenpeace, we think the industry plays a larger role than individuals. Use our Million Acts of Blue Toolkit to learn more about how you can take action and stop single-use plastic at its source! To stop this, we must produce less plastic in the first place. According to the report from Greenpeace, only 5% of the plastic we recycle is recycled. Greenpeace, June, 2017, How You Can Help the Ocean:Smithsonian, Seven actions for healthy oceans:David Suzuki Foundation, Phaseout of lightweight plastic bags Wikipedia. Facebook or Google) to track the effectiveness of our online marketing strategies and to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. 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. Please select which cookies you are willing to store. People around the world have come together to end plastic pollution, and its working. Greenpeace found that only . 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. 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. Microplastics are just as devastating. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Supermarkets are starting to talk about what they need to do. In addition to the Performance cookies mentioned above, we may also place in your browser cookies from third-party services (e.g. For Plastic Free July, let's call on Congress to support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. This Plastic Free July, join Greenpeace in turning up the heat on big brands. Multinational corporations often impose plastic packaging on poor nations that may lack recycling systems to deal with them. A study by Greenpeace USA found that of the 51 million tons of plastic waste generated by US households in 2021, only 2.4 million tons were recycled, about five percent. Coca-Colas plastics problem is beyond being a litter and ocean problem. In a single square-metre of sand, digging down 10 cm the researchers found over 4,000 tiny bits of plastic. Sanderine van Odijk & Anne Poggenpohl, enviu The Federal Government today unveiled new measures to rein in . For some disabled people, for example, single-use plastic is essential to their health or quality of life. Rex's c, We use cookies to enhance your experience. @gpph. Sign our petition demanding that the CEOs of seven of the largest producers of single-use plastics take responsibility for their products. Conventional plastic recycling doesn't workeven Greenpeace says so. So fix it. During the holidays we tend to get so caught up in the festive spirit that we forget about the resulting environmental impacts. 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. A plastic bag has an average use of 12 minutes, explains Greenpeace. The flow of plastics into our environment has reached crisis proportions, and the evidence is most clearly on display in our oceans. Bottles, pots and food trays are immediately obvious, but other types of plastic pollution can be harder to spot. What are the alternatives to plastic packaging? 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. Some retailers will even give you a discount for doing so! Zero waste doesnt mean zero funin fact, its a chance to exercise your creativity! Ecology teaches us, however, that there is no away. Everything that passes through our hands ends up somewhere. Commercial organic polymers were first synthesized a century ago, used by armies in World War II. November 7, 2019. But what actually happens to the plastic waste we put out for collection? 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. Talk trash with your friends, family, and colleagues! Greenpeace also claims that it is impossible to sort the various types of plastic (#1, #2, #5, etc.) The U.S. has been working to get countries to join its "End Plastic Pollution International Coalition by 2040," but so far they aren't biting. 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. Bottles, pots and food trays are immediately obvious, but other types of plastic pollution can be harder to spot. Plastics made of renewable, organic biomass sources, like vegetable fats and oils, and corn starch. In the open ocean, plastic collects in eddies or gyres, relative calm regions surrounded by stronger ocean currents. Our planet can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. If bioplastics end up in the ocean they can entangle and endanger sea life, just like regular plastic. Simple ways to cut down the amount of plastic we all use, from bags and bottles to straws and packaging. Fighting Plastic Pollution - Greenpeace USA Oceans Fighting Plastic Pollution What is the plastic pollution crisis? 284934). 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. Their labels are misleading, and often incorrect. Learn about the causes of the climate crisis and the solutions to tackle it. Greenpeace report finds plastics recycling is a dead-end street Majority of plastic produced in US isn't recycled, according to new report. Released this morning (17 May) the report, called 'Trashed', detailed findings from a Greenpeace UK investigation in March 2021. +31 20 718 2000 www.greenpeace.org/international Press Page Action Page More Releases From This Org. Learn about the connections between single-use plastic, fossil fuels and the climate crisis. 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. 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. 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. Corporations have lobbied to decrease drinking fountains in certain markets. Plastics were about to explode upon the world. But we need to go much further to end the flow of plastics into the ocean. Many coffee shops have ceramic mugs for customers, but they only use them upon request. Over 90% of plastics are not recycled. It can even be mistaken for food. Another year #WrappedInPlastic! Plastics! This became one of the most famous film lines from the 1960s era. Greenpeace has released a plan showing how supermarkets can half their plastic packaging by 2025. Thats the weight of 100 million blue whales 5,000 times the actual blue whale population left on Earth. Greenpeace has released a plan showing how supermarkets can half their plastic packaging by 2025. Plastic products should still be available for those who need them. Join the Rainbow Warrior and Beluga as they set sail to find out all about it. Text and images Greenpeace. The environmental organisation is taking action against the UK's troubling relationship with plastic waste exports. 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. Greenpeace Philippines. Watch these videos and you'll find out. Aldi and Sainsbury's have committed to halving their plastic footprint by 2025. Rex Weyler is an author, journalist and co-founder of Greenpeace International. 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. 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. Despite covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, only a tiny fraction of our oceans are protected. Bits of plastic have been found in every corner of the world, including the deepest ocean trenches and on uninhabited islands. Microplastics are just as devastating. The gyre contains six kilograms of plastic for every kilogram of plankton. Nothing that is used for a few minutes should end up polluting our oceans for a lifetime. What are the impacts on the creatures that exist in the toxic ecosystem weve created? The fossil fuel industrys increased reliance on plastics will be just as harmful for people and the planet. 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. 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. 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, like fracked gas and oil, and it contributes to climate change throughout its life-cycle. 3. r/sustainability. 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. Press Release - Greenpeace. Your information is safe and secure with us read ourprivacy policy. 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. Arm yourself with knowledge about one of the biggest threats to our oceans. , the biggest companies like Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks, McDonalds, Unilever, Nestl, and Procter & Gamble will embrace a better model through innovation and redesign. We take the security of your data seriously. You can opt out at any time. Our oceans are slowly turning into a plastic soup, and the effects on ocean life are chilling. 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 . But shes not stopping there shes fighting to make reusables the norm at schools throughout California. Our future depends on it. We use tracking and analysis tools to ensure continuous optimisation and demand-oriented design of our website. Tell President Biden to champion an ambitious international agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. According to a survey by Greenpeace USA, only two types of plastic are widely accepted at the country's 375 recycling facilities. 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. 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