TY - JOUR
T1 - The time for ambitious action is now
T2 - Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty
AU - Brander, Susanne M.
AU - Senathirajah, Kala
AU - Fernandez, Marina O.
AU - Weis, Judith S.
AU - Kumar, Eva
AU - Jahnke, Annika
AU - Hartmann, Nanna B.
AU - Alava, Juan José
AU - Farrelly, Trisia
AU - Almroth, Bethanie Carney
AU - Groh, Ksenia J.
AU - Syberg, Kristian
AU - Buerkert, Johanna Sophie
AU - Abeynayaka, Amila
AU - Booth, Andy M.
AU - Cousin, Xavier
AU - Herzke, Dorte
AU - Monclús, Laura
AU - Morales-Caselles, Carmen
AU - Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea
AU - Al-jaibachi, Rana
AU - Wagner, Martin
PY - 2024/11/1
Y1 - 2024/11/1
N2 - The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential “pillars” necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.
AB - The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential “pillars” necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.
KW - Global plastic treaty
KW - Human rights
KW - Microplastics
KW - Nanoplastics
KW - Source reduction
KW - Transparency
KW - Global plastic treaty
KW - Human rights
KW - Microplastics
KW - Nanoplastics
KW - Source reduction
KW - Transparency
U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881
DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39047828
AN - SCOPUS:85200216845
SN - 0048-9697
VL - 949
JO - Science of the Total Environment
JF - Science of the Total Environment
M1 - 174881
ER -