PlasticsEurope has reiterated its support of the Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter in a recent progress report.
The world’s leading plastics associations launched the report in Miami, updating an original announcement made in March 2011 at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference.
The December progress report identifies more than 140 projects to prevent marine litter that are completed, under way or planned – a “substantial and significant increase” from the 100 projects announced at the Marine Litter Solutions group meeting in Dubai in November 2011.
In addition, the progress report provides case studies and detailed insights into preventing marine litter that can be expanded in other regions.
In March 2011, leaders from plastics associations around the world announced the Global Declaration – a public commitment by the global plastics industry to work with partners to tackle a global problem: plastics in the marine environment.
“The plastics industry is firmly committed to the principle that plastics do not belong in the world’s oceans and should not be littered,” says PlasticsEurope executive director Wilfried Haensel.
“Plastics should be responsibly used, reused, recycled and finally recovered for their energy value,” he continues. “I’m pleased that actions taken in 2012 and planned for 2013 greatly exceed our commitments from November 2011.”
In 2011, the signatories of the global Solutions on Marine Litter declaration identified six areas of engagement aimed at contributing to sustainable solutions, focusing on public private partnerships to prevent marine litter, research, public policy, sharing best practices, plastics recycling/recovery and plastic pellet containment.
Subsequently, the signatories identified 100 specific actions designed to fulfil the declaration, and they agreed to track and report progress.
Additional associations subsequently signed the Declaration, and today there are more than 140 projects completed, under way or planned, varying widely from education to global research and eco-efficient waste management and litter prevention.
