There are 15 ways to reduce plastic. This is according to a report, commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate.
Prepared by the advisory firm Systemiq, the report states that globally coordinated policies could reduce 90% of mismanaged plastics and 30% of virgin plastic production by 2040.
In particular, these proposals are varied in content, ranging from a ‘plastic tax’ to finance solutions, to a ban on single-use. As well as restrictions on trade in plastic waste, and programmes to remove plastic from the environment.
Without certain precautions, there could be a 60% growth in virgin plastics, resulting in an increase of poorly managed plastics and emissions, which would increase by 63%, this again in a time horizon up to 2040
The council also pushed for a ‘Global Plastic Treaty’. An ambitious project that represents a unique opportunity to put an end to plastic pollution by 2040. Global policies are unfortunately not enough to solve the problem.
In the future there will be difficult negotiations, and there will be a need to stimulate more innovation, gathering new knowledge and stimulating politics to ambition. The future requires a circular plastic economy and clean oceans.