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Global Plastics Treaty

All articles tagged with #global plastics treaty

environment27 days ago•0 min saved

Australian seabirds set new plastic ingestion record with 894 pieces

Researchers on Australia’s Lord Howe Island discovered a dead sable shearwater containing 894 pieces of plastic, a new record that exceeds the previous year’s count of 778. The ingested plastic weighed 64.2 grams, representing over 15% of the bird’s body weight. This finding, part of a 16-year study, highlights a sharp rise in plastic exposure among seabirds since 2023, driven by parents mistaking ocean debris for food. Experts warn that even if plastic production stopped today, ocean pollution levels would continue to rise until 2050, necessitating stricter legislation like mandatory attached bottle caps.

via Gizmodo|

#environment #global-plastics-treaty #lord-howe-island

environment2 years ago•5 min saved

"Global Study Reveals Alarming Levels of Ocean Plastic Pollution and Hotspots of Marine Life Risk"

A recent study by researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and the Alfred Wegener Institute has found large quantities of plastic waste and microplastics in a remote marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean, similar to those found in one of the world's largest known garbage patches. The study highlights that plastics are distributed much more widely than expected, posing a threat to the entire ocean ecosystem. The researchers call for global emissions of plastics into the ocean to be stopped as quickly as possible and advocate for the adoption of a legally binding global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution.

via Phys.org|

#environment #global-plastics-treaty #marine-protected-area

health-environment2 years ago•5 min saved

"Unveiling the Cost of Plastic Chemicals on America's Health: A $250 Billion Burden"

A study by New York University researchers estimates that exposure to microplastics, including 'forever chemicals,' costs the US healthcare system $289 billion annually, surpassing the healthcare costs of the entire Covid pandemic. These tiny plastics, found in bottled water and most food, have been linked to chronic health conditions such as cancers, hormone imbalances, fertility problems, and heart disease. The study calls for a Global Plastics Treaty to address the pervasive issue of microplastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives to reduce the incidence of diseases and healthcare costs associated with plastic pollution.

via Daily Mail|

#forever-chemicals #global-plastics-treaty #health-costs

environment3 years ago•3 min saved

"UN treaty talks aim to reduce global plastic pollution by 80%"

As talks begin on a global plastics treaty, countries are debating whether to limit plastic production or focus on recycling. A 55-nation coalition is calling for a strong treaty including restrictions on hazardous chemicals and bans on problematic plastics products. The U.N. Environment Programme has released a blueprint for reducing plastic waste by 80% by 2040, focusing on reuse, recycling, and reorientation of plastic packaging to alternative materials. Environmental groups criticize the report for focusing on waste management, which they see as a concession to the global plastics and petrochemicals industry. The industry has put mechanical and chemical recycling at the center of its position.

via Reuters|

#circular-economy #environment #global-plastics-treaty