World's leading plastics associations promote sustainability at Global Meeting

On 20 November, at the 24th Global Meeting on Plastics and Sustainability,  the world’s leading plastics associations announced continued progress since the launch of the Global Declaration of the Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter in March 2011 which at that time identified 100 projects.  Since then, there are now more than 140 industry projects tackling Marine Litter. 

At the three-day meeting, participants also discussed strategies to address sustainability, and called on other plastics producers, as well as brand owners, retailers and institutions to consider undertaking similar efforts.

Plastics associations from Malaysia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, South Africa, and the United States analysed current projects to prevent littering, with a specific emphasis on plastics. As a result they called for improvements in plastics resource recovery and waste management since 80% of marine litter originates from land.

“Improving plastics recovery so that all plastics are collected and used as a valuable resource for recycling and energy production is the most important step to prevent marine litter in the future,” said Mr Lim Kok Boon, President, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA).

Mr Lim called on governments around the world to integrate the issue of littering into their national waste management strategies and to increase public awareness about marine litter and its impact on marine ecosystems. “Every piece of litter has its owner,” added the MPMA President. The plastics industry also made clear that more involvement of leaders from other business sectors is necessary.

“We believe that strategic partnerships with inter-governmental organisations, NGOs and marine researchers offer a good opportunity for real progress, particularly on resource recovery. Our industry has proven that it is determined to actively contribute to prevent marine litter. Therefore, we now need the involvement of others to take our actions to the next level,” said Mr Lim Kok Boon.

Emerging technologies such as energy recovery and integrated recycling programmes are possible solutions to prevent marine litter, in particular in regions without integrated waste management infrastructure, in coastal areas with large populations and on small island nations. This requires working together with all interested organisations in partnerships, according to Mr Lim.

The 24th Global Meeting held for the first time in Malaysia (as well as South-east Asia) on Plastics and Sustainability was sponsored by the Scientex Group which is a well-diversified entity with manufacturing and property development as its core businesses.