100 Countries Fail To Save The World From Plastics

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Americans create 50 pounds of plastic waste annually, depending on who counts. Plastic products are used in virtually every nation and territory, so each has some plastic pollution problem. Over 100 countries have been at a UN summit in an attempt to cut global plastic production sharply. It has not worked.

According to Reuters, “Doubts rose on sealing a global treaty to curb plastic pollution on the last day of scheduled talks, as over 100 countries pushed to cap production while a handful of oil-producing countries wanted to focus only on plastic waste.” Petrochemicals, which include plastics, are a primary source of oil demand. The amount used is a matter of debate. The US government cannot find a number, “Plastics are produced from natural gas, feedstocks derived from natural gas processing, and feedstocks derived from crude oil refining. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is unable to determine the specific amounts or origin of the feedstocks that are actually used to manufacture plastics in the United States.” It is enough, so the oil-producing states must believe it is highly profitable.

The problem with focusing on plastic waste rather than plastic is that so much plastic eventually becomes plastic waste. Although that seems obvious, it has been lost somewhere in the debate.

Microplastics

Until two decades ago, plastic waste containment was based on large plastic items. Microplastics became part of the problem with publishing “Lost At Sea: Where Is All The Plastic?” in 2004. Microplastics were eventually discovered in the deepest parts of the ocean. It was also quickly discovered in food, humans, and animals. There is evidence that it affects human health, particularly as a potential contributor to cancer.

Last month, two other international gatherings of nations meant to address the environment failed. COP29 agreed to provide $300 billion a year to slow global warming, but most estimates are that over $1 trillion a year is needed. COP16, which was formed to prevent the destruction of the Earth’s ecosystems, also failed.