TY - JOUR

T1 - The time for ambitious action is now

T2 - Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty

AU - Brander, Susanne M

AU - Senathirajah , Kala

AU - Fernandez, Marina O

AU - Weis, Judith S

AU - Kumar, Eva

AU - Jahnke, Annika

AU - Hartmann, Nanna B.

AU - Alava, Juan José

AU - Farrelly, Trisia

AU - Almroth, Bethanie Carney

AU - Groh, Ksenia J.

AU - Syberg, Kristian

AU - Bürkert, Johanna Sophie

AU - Abeynayaka, Amila

AU - Booth, Andy

AU - Cousin, Xavier

AU - Herzke, Dorte

AU - Monclús, Laura

AU - Morales-Caselles, Carmen

AU - Bonisoli-Alquati , Andrea

AU - Al-jaibachi, Rana

AU - Wagner, Martin

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential “pillars” necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.

AB - The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential “pillars” necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.

KW - Faculty of Law

KW - Global Plastics Treaty

KW - Microplastics

KW - Nanoplastics

KW - Transparency

KW - Human Rights

U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881

DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881

M3 - Journal article

VL - 949

JO - Science of the Total Environment

JF - Science of the Total Environment

SN - 0048-9697

M1 - 174881

ER -