Plastic pollution this year’s most pressing consumer issue

Plastic pollution has become a global crisis and it comes as no surprise that Consumers International (CI), an international consumer organisation, chose “tackling plastic pollution” for International Consumer Rights Day.

Although plastic can be a highly useful material, our production and consumption of plastic has become unsustainable. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts & SystemIQ report, Breaking the Plastic Wave, released in August last year, the flow of plastic into our oceans will triple by 2040 without major innovations and changes in policy and behaviour.

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The report estimates that:

• By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish.
• 100,000 marine mammals and turtles, as well as 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually.
• 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year.
• Single-use plastics account for 50% of the plastic produced every year.
• Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
• 40% of the plastic produced is packaging which is discarded after being used once.
• The Pew Report makes it clear that tackling plastic pollution is a global challenge which requires coordinated, international solutions.

Consumers International says as a global consumer movement it is prepared to play a critical role in tackling the issue and promoting the sustainable consumption and production of plastic.

Tackling plastic pollution

Tackling plastic pollution is especially important with an increase in the use of single-use plastic for face masks, gloves and food packaging. It is a critical time to highlight, address and tackle plastic pollution.

ALSO READ: Ocean plastic could outweigh fish by 2050

Levels of awareness

It is hardly a question of awareness, as a global study conducted in 2019 found 82% of respondents were aware of plastic waste and were already taking practical steps to do something about plastic pollution.

The 2019 study found there is a strong consumer response to plastic waste, with:

• 82% of the respondents using reusable cleaning utensils instead of single-use plastic alternatives;
• 72% bringing reusable bags when shopping; and
• 62% using refillable drinking bottles.

The good news is that despite the increased use of single-use plastic during the pandemic, 55% of consumers globally have now become more concerned about the environment as a result of Covid-19. Nearly 74% of consumers in Europe, the US and South America are willing to spend more on sustainable packaging, says Helena Leurent, director-general of Consumers International.

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Is mobilisation the answer?

“As a global consumer movement, we must support consumers to mobilise businesses, governments and civil society to make tackling plastic pollution and sustainable consumption an easy choice. This year we will showcase how consumer advocacy around the world has been demanding change from governments and businesses,” says Leurent.

No single solution

There is no single solution to tackling plastic pollution and therefore the organisation uses the 7 Rs Model of Waste Management, namely replace, rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and repair to demonstrate different ways of tackling plastic waste.

“Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet. Consumer awareness of the plastics crisis is growing around the world. They have a critical role to play in shaping the marketplace and we must support them to mobilise businesses and governments to ensure sustainable consumption for everyone.”

Unsustainable use of plastic

It is a fact that plastic is a highly useful material in our daily lives, but our consumption and production of plastics, especially single-use plastic, has become unsustainable. This in turn is impacting our ecosystems, causing negative environmental consequences, including pollution of the local and international environment and threatening human health.

Leurent says systemic marketplace change is required at all levels from governments, businesses and standard setters to make tackling plastic pollution and sustainable consumption the easy choice for consumers.

ALSO READ: Bid to address plastic bag litter problem

Meanwhile in South Africa

In South Africa the National Consumer Commission decided to dedicate the day to protecting consumers during Covid-19. The law faculty of the University of Fort Hare launched its module on consumer law for fourth-year students as part of the programme.

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