What's wrong with plastic? Movements and what can be done overseas and other activities [Environment]

Hello everyone, this is logminami.

Have you heard more and more words like "plastic-free" and "circular economy" recently? It's been several years since it became common for plastic bags to be charged. At first, I was confused, thinking, "What, are you going to spend money on a bag?", but now my bag has become a part of my life.

But why is plastic the problem in the first place? What's wrong? Let's think together about everything from simple questions to actions we can do.

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What is plastic in the first place?

Plastics are polymeric compounds synthesized using fossil fuels such as petroleum. Because of its light, durable, inexpensive and easy to process, it is used in all kinds of situations, including food packaging, home appliances, clothing, and building materials.

However, that "convenience" can sometimes be a disadvantage.

For example, plastics are difficult to break down in nature, and it can take more than 450 years for a bottle to return to the soil. The reality is that plastic that flows through the wind and rivers can turn into the ocean and become microplastics, affecting the ecosystem...and this is exactly what is happening all over the world.

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Japan's charge for plastic bags, the background and impact

From July 2020, plastic bags have been charged all over Japan. The purpose is to "reduce disposable plastics," but this alone is actually not enough. Among the OECD countries, Japan has the highest amount of plastic waste per capita. We use plastic not only in plastic bags, but also in food trays, plastic bottles, and packaging materials all over our everyday lives.

However, I believe that the introduction of charges for plastic bags will play a major role as a trigger.

"I started carrying my own eco bags." "I learned that the plastic bags I casually bought actually put a strain on the environment."

This development of consciousness should lead to the next action.

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Isn't plastic = evil? Reevaluation perspective

What I want to cherish is not to fall into the extreme idea that "all plastic is evil."

For example, in the medical field. Plastic is essential for IV tubes, syringes, gloves, etc. from cleanliness and cost.

Furthermore, the lightweight plastic contributes to reducing fuel consumption during transportation. PET bottles are lighter than glass bottles, which also leads to more efficient logistics, leading to CO2 reductions.

So, what's the problem?

These include "disposable" and "inadequate collection and reuse mechanisms."

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Global initiatives: Challenges from IKEA and H&M

What I'm paying attention to is the movements of Swedish IKEA and H&M. IKEA has set a goal of converting all plastic products into renewable or recycled materials by 2030.

H&M has also signed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, accelerating the use of recycled materials. Companies are trying to incorporate a "second life" of plastic into their business.

Japanese companies should be able to learn a lot from these challenges of global companies.

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It's moving forward in Japan too! Ingenuity and ingenuity of local governments and businesses

In Japan, for example, Suginami Ward, Tokyo is holding a campaign to bring your own containers, and bento shops and other companies are working together to reduce the number of disposable containers.

Ajinomoto has also announced that it will switch to paper packaging and reduce CO2 emissions. Uniqlo is also working on switching to paper bags.

Even small and medium-sized enterprises are gradually increasing the number of ethical stores that use recycled plastic and carry unpackaged products.

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The reality of marine plastic pollution

Japan is surrounded by the sea on all sides. That's why marine plastic issues are not irrelevant.

For example, according to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment, it is estimated that even the waters near Japan are as many as tens of thousands of microplastics floating in the waters of Japan. These can be incorporated into marine life such as fish and shellfish, and ultimately affect our human dining table.

70-80% of marine waste flows from land. In other words, there is a reality that "trash from our city" is flowing into the sea.

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Plastic Alternative Materials: Future Choices

Biodegradable plastics and plant-derived bioplastics are attracting attention as they aim to remove plastics.

For example, PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic made from corn and other materials, and has the property of returning to the soil. In addition, packaging made with banana leaves and bamboo is also in practical use overseas.

However, these materials also pose challenges. It cannot yet be called a "magic material" because of its high production costs and the nature that it only decomposes under certain conditions.

Still, these innovations certainly have great potential to support the next step.

What is the International Plastics Convention? ——Why the world is trying to break away from "disposable"

As plastic measures are progressing in various countries, such as the introduction of charges for plastic bags, in 2022, the United Nations Environment General Assembly decided to formulate a "legally binding international treaty" to fundamentally resolve plastic pollution. The International Plastics Convention covers the entire lifecycle from production to disposal, and is expected to be the first comprehensive framework to internationally promote the reduction of single-use plastics and create a system for recycling. Intergovernmental negotiations are still continuing today, and globally seeking a shift towards sustainable plastic use while maintaining a balance between the environment, economy and society.

Schedule and history of the negotiations for International Plastics Treaty

Original plan: Formulate treaties by the end of 2024

The United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA‑5.2/March 2022) established the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) and officially stipulated that by the end of 2024 the draft legally binding plastic treaty would be completed.

Negotiations stagnant: INC‑5 (November 2024/Busan) cannot be agreed

At the scheduled fifth negotiation meeting (INC‑5, November 25th - December 1st, 2024 / Busan, South Korea), there was a strong conflict between oil and plastic producers and countries with high ambitions over whether or not to set targets for plastic production reductions, and a final agreement was not reached on the treaty proposal.

Reopening and conclusion scheduled: INC‑5.2 will be implemented in August 2025

As a result, the fifth negotiations will be divided into two parts, with INC‑5.2 scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from August 5th to 14th, 2025. Here we aim to final adjustments and agree to the treaty statement.
Ultimately, the plan is to adopt and conclude the treaty at the "plenipotentiaries" meeting within 2025.

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The scene of escaping plastics: dilemma and true feelings

I want to do something good for the environment. However, there is also a gap between "ideal" and "reality" in the field.

In restaurants, you can also hear comments such as the paper straws becoming more slurping quickly and the need to clean them. Consumers also commented, "What if the gift you gave was scrunched in paper packaging..."

However, rather than blaming those voices, I would like to work together to think about what can be improved from that point.

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What we can do, just a little courage

So, what can you do on your own? Those who thought so.

For example,

• Hold your own bottle and bag
• Choose a refill product
• Buy paper packaging or nude items
• When it's not necessary, I refuse and tell the store staff from the customer that it's okay to go there. I wondered, "Do you really need this?"

Just that alone will help reduce resource consumption.

When I shop, if I think, "Isn't this packaging too much?", I try to choose a different product whenever possible. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just being aware of it is a sufficient step.

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Thinking about the future with plastic

In our society, plastics will never reach zero anytime soon.

But I think we can build a "sustainable relationship."

Because it is a convenient material, we carefully select how it can be used and arrange a mechanism for collection and reuse. I think that this accumulation of efforts will lead to leaving a better planet for the next generation.

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For other information on sustainability, please seeClicking here.

Well then!