Plastics’ increasing dangers are shaping up as a cause for major concern. It takes a long time for plastics to break down in the environment but a gathering list of indicators suggests we are looking at the calm before the storm.
Although it can take over a millennium to break down entirely, plastics swiftly degrade into micro-particles under certain conditions.
For instance, simply unscrewing a bottle cap can instantaneously unleash microplastics. Many plastic variants begin decomposing into micro-particles within a matter of decades or even years, depending on the environment.
Some shocking study results are emerging. It has now been confirmed that plastic derivatives have been found in human sperm and placental tissue. The study on human testes has amplified concerns that the proliferation of plastics, often laden with hormone-disrupting agents, might be a driving force behind the global deterioration in sperm quality. Microplastics have also been implicated in heart disease.
Despite the looming environmental and health crises linked to microplastics, efforts to address this predicament remain nascent. Global plastic output burgeoned from approximately 230 million tons annually in 2000 to 460 million tons in 2019, with projections indicating another twofold surge by 2040.
While the outlook may appear grim, specialists contend that resolute, prompt, and effective measures exist to mitigate the expansive harms that plastics can cause. Some of the solutions being put forward involve a mix of personal restraint and Government effort at an international level.
Global constraint
Dr Philip Landrigan, a staunch anti-plastic proponent and public health expert at Boston College, advocates enforcing a global constraint on plastic production, with a particular emphasis on single-use plastics.
Drawing parallels to the restrictions imposed on chlorofluorocarbon manufacture under the Montreal Protocol and greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Climate Agreement, he accentuates the necessity of instituting a global limit on plastic production.
While acknowledging the indispensable role of certain plastics in critical sectors like engineering and medicine, Landrigan underscores the imperative to curtail what he deems “superfluous plastics,” namely single-use disposable plastics. Single-use plastics currently constitute about 40 per cent of the plastics market.
In a recent engagement leading up to the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, Landrigan underscored the formidable presence of industry stakeholders rallying against a production cap, particularly concerning single-use plastics.
Furthermore, he stresses the need for heightened public awareness regarding microplastic pollution’s direct and tangible ramifications on human health. He urges voters to advocate for comprehensive bans on single-use plastics and the enforcement of stringent plastic regulations similar to those in California.
Developing transparency
Norwegian University of Science and Technology researcher Martin Wagner says that enhancing transparency around “plastic chemicals of concern” emerges as another critical intervention.
Of the 16,000-plus known chemicals in plastics, over 3,600 remain unregulated “plastic chemicals of concern.” These chemicals are characterised by their carcinogenicity, hormone-disrupting attributes, or overall toxicity and bio-accumulative nature.
Wagner underscores the fundamental right of individuals to be informed about the chemicals they are involuntarily exposed to through plastics.
He wants regulation of 15 key groups of plastic chemicals of concern, including bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS. He believes manufacturers should disclose the composition of their products. By enforcing a “no data, no market” ultimatum, policymakers can prod manufacturers to divulge the chemical constituents of their products transparently.
Wagner argues that this increased disclosure could empower consumers to make informed decisions concerning products that may contain hazardous chemicals. Beyond mere assurances of being “BPA-free,” Wagner urges explicit declarations regarding the presence of chemicals of concern on product labels.
Reuse strategies
Encouraging the adoption of reusable packaging by manufacturers and retailers emerges as a pivotal stride towards mitigating plastic-related harms. Tiza Mafira, a climate policy expert and director of Climate Policy Initiative Indonesia, champions this approach.
Calling for a shift away from single-use plastic packaging towards reusable alternatives in plastic, glass, or aluminium, Mafira advocates for a system where packaging can be returned, sanitized, refilled, and resold – similar tostic historical practices like the reuse of milk bottles in certain regions.
Recognising the substantial overhaul required to materialise this vision, Mafira emphasises the necessity for industry-driven changes, with producers spearheading the transition towards safe, reusable, and ultimately recyclable packaging solutions. Presently, a mere fraction of plastics undergo recycling.
In tandem with these endeavours, consumers can bolster sustainability initiatives by supporting zero-waste stores and brands integrating reuse systems into their business models.
Efforts like the Asia Reuse Consortium, spearheaded by Mafira, champion the mainstream adoption of reuse and refill systems for both online and in-store transactions. Such a process could guide the formulation of global reuse standards and align them with international trade norms.
In confronting the escalating plastic crisis, proactive measures like enforcing global production constraints, amplifying transparency on hazardous plastic chemicals, and advancing reusable packaging solutions stand as crucial steps towards safeguarding human health and environmental well-being from the pervasive perils of plastic pollution.
Though the challenges loom large, a collective resolve to tackle this crisis head-on offers hope for a future where sustainability prevails over consumer subjugation to hazardous materials and the wonton lusts of irresponsible manufacturers.