2023-07-02 12:20:48
The International Day Free of Plastic Bags is celebrated on July 3 with the aim of raising awareness about the negative impact that plastic bags have on the environment and promoting their reduction and responsible use.
celebration background
The International Day Free of Plastic Bags has been celebrated since the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2017 that urged countries to take measures to reduce the use of these. Since then, various countries and organizations have joined this initiative, promoting sustainable alternatives and encouraging the adoption of more responsible practices in the use of bags. In fact, in February 2022, the representatives of the 175 participating countries in the United Nations Environment Assembly (THE MOMENT for its acronym in English), held in Nairobi (Kenya), agreed on the first legally binding international treaty against plastic pollution “End of plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument”. This historic agreement supposes that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (CIN) on plastic pollution committed to addressing ways to promote sustainable plastic production and consumption through, among other measures, product design and environmentally sound waste management, including through energy efficiency approaches. resources and circular economy.
More than a trillion plastic bags a year and 150 years for their degradation
It is estimated that a plastic bag can take more than 150 years to degrade. However, it is important to note that decomposition does not mean that they disappear completely, but that they fragment into microplastics that can persist for hundreds of years.
As for the number of plastic bags consumed, it is difficult to provide an exact figure due to the large number of bags used around the world. According to estimates of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), it is estimated that around one trillion plastic bags are consumed globally each year. However, these figures may vary depending on the region and country.
Plastics account for 85% of marine litter
The growing pollution caused by the excessive use of plastics represents a serious environmental challenge worldwide, generating negative impacts on the environment, the economy, society and health within the framework of sustainable development. If effective and necessary measures are not taken to change the current situation, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems is expected to increase significantly, from around 9 to 14 million tons per year that were generated in 2016, to a projection of 23 to 37 million tons per year for the year 2040. According to the report of the UN environment program” From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution” Despite current initiatives and efforts, it is estimated that the amount of plastic in the oceans is between 75 and 199 million tons, which represents 85% of marine litter.
Up to 34,000 million tons of plastic by 2050
The main sources of marine litter and plastics are of terrestrial origin. Much of the cumulative production of plastic between 1950 and 2017, estimated at 9.2 billion tons, became plastic waste. Three-quarters of this waste was landfilled, became poorly managed waste streams, or was released into the environment, including the sea. Microplastics find their way into the ocean through the breakdown of larger plastic items, leachate from landfills, sludge from sewage treatment systems, airborne particulates, agricultural runoff, shipbreaking, and accidental cargo losses at sea. Extreme events such as floods and storms can carry large amounts of debris from coastal areas and litter accumulations in rivers, estuaries, and shorelines into the ocean. With cumulative plastic production between 1950 and 2050 expected to reach 34 billion tons, there is an urgent need to reduce global plastic production and plastic waste streams in the environment.
Lethal to marine species and harmful to humans
Plastics cause lethal damage to a wide variety of marine species. In addition, they affect the carbon cycle and the ability of coastal ecosystems to combat climate change. As plastics break down, they release microplastics and toxic substances that pollute water and sediment, affecting marine food chains. Microplastics can also carry pathogenic organisms and cause genetic changes, inflammation, and alterations in the behavior and growth of marine organisms. This endangers their reproduction, survival and the functioning of marine ecosystems.
Burning plastic waste, ingesting contaminated shellfish, and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with plastics all pose risks to human health. Microplastics can enter the human body and pose a threat to coastal communities that depend on seafood. In addition, marine plastics affect the well-being of people by discouraging the enjoyment of the beaches and causing concern for the health of charismatic marine species.
Losses of more than 100,000 million dollars
Marine litter and plastic pollution pose a serious threat to coastal communities, shipping and port operations. By 2040, it is estimated that plastic leakage into the oceans could create an annual financial risk of $100 billion for companies if governments require them to cover waste management costs according to the volumes and capacity of planned recycling. By comparison, the global market for plastics was worth around $580 billion in 2020, while marine natural capital losses are estimated to be as high as $2.5 trillion a year.
Accidentally created in 1933 and first banned in 2002
Since their accidental creation in 1933, plastic bags have become ubiquitous throughout the world. Over the years, they have quickly replaced cloth and paper bags due to their convenience and economical price. However, their proliferation has generated significant environmental challenges.
In the 1970s, plastic bags spread globally and began to dominate the market, especially in the United States. As their popularity grew, these bags were found to be responsible for the deaths of sea turtles and the accumulation of plastic debris in the ocean, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
In response to these issues, Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002, followed by other countries that implemented similar measures. In 2017, Kenya implemented a strict regulation to ban plastic bags, and several countries, including Colombia, have adopted taxes or bans to reduce their use.
The issue of plastic pollution has become increasingly relevant internationally. The European Union implemented a directive on single-use plastics in 2019, and China committed in 2020 to strengthen control of plastic pollution.
An important milestone occurred in 2022, when the United States agreed to endorse a global treaty to combat ocean plastic pollution, setting the stage for international cooperation and action.
#International #day #free #bags..