New WWF Plastics Facts & Futures Report highlights the need for a systemic approach to tackle plastic pollution in South Africa.

A recent study estimates that the world has produced about 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastics between 1950 and 2015 — 80 per cent of this is plastic waste. A meagre 9 per cent of this waste has been recycled.

Prepared by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), this report documents how corporate lobbyists have been able to influence and effectively water down the ambition of a long-expected restriction on intentionally added microplastics already at its drafting stage.

The U.S. and world are at a turning point, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase and some governments have offered nonsensical and dangerous responses to the pandemic (e.g., reopening businesses too soon, politicizing public health measures like wearing a mask).

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food Industry Asia (FIA) released a regional survey of consumers and food and beverage businesses across South-East Asia that shows a significant disconnect between expectation and action on reducing plastic waste.

This report focuses on the actions and responsibilities of four of the world’s biggest plastic polluters: CocaCola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever. These companies continue to sell billions of products in single-use bottles, sachets and packets in developing countries.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Impact of Plastic Waste on Environment, 22/11/2019.