Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty
Author Brander, S.M.; Senathirajah, K.; Fernandez, M.O.; Weis, J.S.; Kumar, E.; Jahnke, A. ORCID logo ; Hartmann, N.B.; Alava, J.J.; Farrelly, T.; Carney Almroth, B.; Groh, K.J.; Syberg, K.; Buerkert, J.S.; Abeynayaka, A.; Booth, A.M.; Cousin, X.; Herzke, D.; Monclús, L.; Morales-Caselles, C.; Bonisoli-Alquati, A.; Al-jaibachi, R.; Wagner, M.
Source Titel Science of the Total Environment
Year 2024
Department EXPO
Volume 949
Page From art. 174881
Language englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Keywords Global plastic treaty; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Transparency; Human rights; Source reduction
Abstract 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.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29584
Brander, S.M., Senathirajah, K., Fernandez, M.O., Weis, J.S., Kumar, E., Jahnke, A., Hartmann, N.B., Alava, J.J., Farrelly, T., Carney Almroth, B., Groh, K.J., Syberg, K., Buerkert, J.S., Abeynayaka, A., Booth, A.M., Cousin, X., Herzke, D., Monclús, L., Morales-Caselles, C., Bonisoli-Alquati, A., Al-jaibachi, R., Wagner, M. (2024):
The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty
Sci. Total Environ. 949 , art. 174881 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174881