Civil society calls for action on plastic

As the final stages of three years of international talks on a Global Plastics Treaty begin in Geneva, civil society groups have called on the Scottish Government to do more to protect people and nature from plastic pollution. 

In an open letter to the First Minister, 18 groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland outline the damage created by plastic, and call for the Scottish Government to act now to prevent further harm. They say as well as supporting a global treaty, the Scottish Government must do more at home to tackle the root causes of plastic pollution. 

Plastics are damaging to human health and wildlife. Microplastics and the chemicals used to make plastics are found in our bodies and are linked to an array of diseases, from autoimmune conditions to cancer. Wildlife, especially marine animals, is harmed by plastic waste dumped in our oceans and not properly managed on land. As plastic is made from fossil fuels, its production contributes to climate breakdown too. 

Despite the increasing harm from plastics, production levels are set to triple by 2060, which will worsen the crisis. 

As a global problem, a plan to end the plastic crisis needs international cooperation, so a strong global plastics treaty is a vital part of success. Scotland is involved in these negotiations as part of the UK and supports global efforts for an ambitious treaty.  

Kim Pratt, Friends of the Earth Scotland said: 

“We all want a future free from plastic pollution, but the Scottish Government is failing to take the actions needed to protect people and nature from the growing harms of the plastics crisis.  

“Promises at an international level will only be meaningful if they are backed up with action at a local level. Industry-backed solutions, such as recycling, do not address the underlying cause of the plastics crisis – that there is too much plastic to begin with and more is being made every day. 

“It doesn’t have to be this way. The Global Plastics Treaty is an incredible opportunity internationally, and a chance for the Scottish Government to reset the way plastics are used in Scotland too. 

“There are practical steps the Scottish Government should be taking today to halt the plastics crisis. These include immediately banning the burning of plastic waste, forcing companies to be responsible for cleaning the products they sell, and investing in reuse services.” 

Becky Kenton-Lake, coalition manager at campaign group Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: 

“Plastic waste can be seen littering our streets, countryside, parks and beaches, causing significant harm to the environment and our health. Tiny fragments have been found everywhere on earth, from the highest mountaintops to the deepest parts of the seas. It’s in the food we eat and the air we breathe. And it doesn’t go away, piling up and remaining in the environment for decades. 

“Now, with plastic production at its highest levels ever and forecast to increase threefold in the next 35 years, it’s time to stamp out this avoidable health hazard. 

“The Scottish Government must take strong and swift action to protect people and the planet. Supporting the Global Plastics Treaty would show international leadership and encourage others to act, but practical measures must also be brought in to reduce plastic in Scotland and drive the shift to a truly circular economy. 

“We need action to radically cut the amount of new plastic being made, reduce the amount we use and eliminate waste, with producers and sellers forced to foot the bill for dealing with it.”