Marine Litter
Dec. 5, 2012 - Plastics Associations Report Progress on Global Marine Litter Commitments
“Global Declaration” Encompasses More Than 140 Projects in over 34 Countries
Miami December 5, 2012 – Today the world’s leading plastics associations announced a Progress Report on the Global Declaration of the Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter originally announced in March 2011 at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference. The Progress Report identifies more than 140 projects to prevent marine litter that are completed, underway or planned – a substantial and significant increase from the 100 projects announced in Dubai in November 2011. In addition, the Progress Report provides case studies and detailed insights into preventing marine litter that can be expanded in other regions.
In March 2011, leaders from plastics associations across the globe announced the Global Declaration, a public commitment by a global industry to work with partners to tackle a global problem: plastics in the marine environment.
These plastics associations identified six areas of engagement aimed at contributing to sustainable solutions, focusing on public private partnerships to prevent marine litter, research, public policy, sharing best practices, plastics recycling/recovery and plastic pellet containment. Subsequently, declaration signatories identified 100 specific actions designed to fulfill the declaration, and they agreed to track and report progress.
Additional associations subsequently signed the Declaration, and today there are more than 140 projects completed, underway or planned. The projects vary widely, from education to global research and eco-efficient waste management and litter prevention.
“The plastics industry is firmly committed to the principle that plastics do not belong in the world’s oceans and should not be littered -- plastics should be responsibly used, reused, recycled and finally recovered for their energy value. I’m pleased that actions taken in 2012 and planned for 2013 greatly exceed our commitments from Nov 2011,” said Steve Russell, Vice President, Plastics, at the American Chemistry Council. “This report reflects the determination of our industry to shape solutions in partnerships with others,” said Wilfred Haensel, Executive Director of Plastics Europe.
“The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is pleased to be a signatory to the Global Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter and is committed to continue efforts here in Canada to reduce marine litter”, says Carol Hochu, President and CEO, CPIA. “The Canadian plastics industry has a dozen projects complete or in progress to further recycling and recovery opportunities to reduce plastics entering the marine environment. We invite all Canadians to visit www.marinelittersolutions.com to learn more about the plastics industry initiatives for the protection of our seas and oceans”, says Cathy Cirko, Vice President CPIA.
Nov. 21, 2011 - Plastics associations global meeting: Global plastics industry launches action plan for solutions on marine litter
On November 16 and 17, 2011, plastics industry representatives from across the world met to create a global action plan for solutions on marine litter. This plan describes actions to be taken and progress to be reported by signatories in 2012. Today approximately 100 projects have been identified, which will be carried out in 32 countries, in addition to the global activities supported by all signatories.
Recognizing that solutions to marine litter will require global cooperation, the plastics industry is inviting other interested stakeholders to join in actions to prevent marine litter. Greg Wilkinson, President and CEO, Canadian Plastics Industry Association, said the meeting was a great step forward by these plastics industry representatives through committing to the global action plan for solutions on marine litter, while Cathy Cirko, Vice President, CPIA, added that The global plastics industry is determined to do its part and to play a constructive role in building new partnerships to shape solutions to the issue of marine litter. The activities undertaken by the global plastics industry will be publicly available at: www.marinelittersolutions.org. The website has been launched in English, and will over time display the content in different languages.
The "Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter has been adopted by 54 plastics industry organisations so far. It outlines a six-point strategy for industry action, and advocates close cooperation with a broad range of stakeholders to shape solutions for the marine environment. By way of example, initiatives where our industry has already been involved include: Vacances Propres in France, Keep America Beautiful in the US, Cool Seas in the UK, and the International Coastal Cleanup in South Africa. The Canadian plastics industry's priority is to work with all stakeholders to seize recycling and recovery opportunities in order to divert plastics waste from landfill so that plastics resources do not end up in the marine environment.
Among the activities that the industry is implementing within the joint declaration is a partnership with The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). GESAMP is an advisory body to the United Nations (UN) system on the scientific aspects of marine environmental protection. The plastics industry has committed to support GESAMPs effort to evaluate the sources, fate and effects of micro-plastics in the marine environment. Greg Wilkinson, President and CEO, CPIA, said: We are proud to join the GESAMP initiative as one part of our industrys effort to better understand and prevent marine litter.
