UN Targets to Achieve Net Zero Marine Plastic Pollution by 2050

Expert reports suggest that approximately 11 million tons of plastic waste is discharged into the ocean every year, which is likely to go higher in the coming years.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest research report published by the United Nation’s International Resource Panel outlines ambitious plans to reach net zero marine plastic pollution by 2050. It recommends systemic changes to the entire plastics economy towards protecting the world oceans from getting polluted with plastic waste.

The report condemns the piecemeal efforts made till date to tackle plastic pollution, saying that only concerted action could bring about effective changes. Simultaneously, there must be significant reduction in the overall amount of plastics being produced. In addition to global consensus on formulating plastic-related policies, priority should be given for innovations in the recycling sector, it noted.

Expert reports suggest that approximately 11 million tons of plastic waste is discharged into the ocean every year, which is likely to go higher in the coming years. The efforts undertaken currently by various governments and the industry as a whole have the potential to reduce this figure by only 7% by 2040. The concerted actions, as proposed in the report, would make dramatic changes, said report author Steve Fletcher.

The report recommends regulation in plastic waste trade across borders. Also, it calls for independent studies to evaluate the effectiveness of existing plastic policies.

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