Towards an improved international framework to govern the life cycle of plastics

• Author: Nilüfer Oral,Karen Raubenheimer,Alistair McIlgorm
• Date: 01 November 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12267
• Published date: 01 November 2018

SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLE

Towards an improved international framework to govern the

life cycle of plastics

Karen Raubenheimer

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Alistair McIlgorm

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Nilüfer Oral

Correspondence

Email: kraubenh@uow.edu.au Current international and regional frameworks provide a fragmented approach to

the global governance of the life cycle of plastics. Three options to address marine

litter have recently been published and presented at the third meeting of the United

Nations Environment Assembly. This article outlines two options for a new interna-

tional architecture, leaving to the side the third option of maintaining the status quo.

The first suggests a global voluntary agreement that supplements the appropriate

revisions and strengthening of relevant existing instruments. The second option pro-

vides for a global agreement that combines binding and voluntary measures.

Whether the approach is binding or voluntary, strong integration with industry must

be a primary outcome for either to be effective. The article discusses the merits of

these options and considers where the authority for a new international instrument

could come from.

1

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INTRODUCTION

Plastic pollution is found in every environmental compartment, from

the air we breathe

1

to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

2

Scientific

literature on the effects and properties of marine litter has signifi-

cantly increased and the impacts on aquatic organisms are rapidly

being demonstrated. The long‐term effects on human health are not

yet fully understood. The global issue of marine plastic litter is now

being framed as a potential planetary boundary threat.

3

A notable

increase in media attention is fuelling public consciousness. Various

regional bodies have adopted marine litter action plans, with others

under development.

4

Importantly, industry sectors are setting targets to help combat

the issue. Such industry commitments are essential in contributing to

the global governance of the life cycle of plastics. The American

Chemistry Council (ACC) has set a goal of 2030 for all plastic pack-

aging to be 100 percent recyclable or recoverable.

5

In addition, by

2020, all ACC‐operated manufacturing sites across North America

are targeted to participate in Operation Clean Sweep, a cost‐

effective zero‐pellet loss programme developed by ACC. However,

industrial emissions of pre‐production pellets leading to ingestion by

fish have been reported since 1972

6

and pellets are continually col-

lected on beaches around the world.

7

Despite the evidence and a

number of legal instruments already adopted that could regulate

such emissions,

8

compliance with Operation Clean Sweep practices

remains voluntary.

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1

MB Khan et al, ‘Microplastic Abundances in a Mussel Bed and Ingestion by the Ribbed

Marsh Mussel Geukensia demissa’(2018) 130 Marine Pollution Bulletin 67.

2

S Chiba et al, ‘Human Footprint in the Abyss: 30 Year Records of Deep‐sea Plastic Debris’

(2018) 96 Marine Policy 204.

3

P Villarrubia‐Gómez et al, ‘Marine Plastic Pollution as a Planetary Boundary Threat –The

Drifting Piece in the Sustainability Puzzle’(2018) 96 Marine Policy 213.

4

These include the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Seas Pro-

gramme, the Group of 7 (G7), the Group of 20 (G20) and Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooper-

ation (APEC).

5

ACC, ‘U.S. Plastics Resin Producers Set Circular Economy Goals to Recycle or Recover

100% of Plastic Packaging by 2040’(9 May 2018) <https://www.americanchemistry.com/

Media/PressReleasesTranscripts/ACC-news-releases/US-Plastics-Producers-Set-Circular-

Economy-Goals-to-Recycle-or-Recover-100-Percent-of-Plastic-Packaging-by-2040.html>.

6

EJ Carpenter et al, ‘Polystyrene Spherules in Coastal Waters’(1972) 178 Science 749; EJ

Carpenter et al, ‘Plastics on the Sargasso Sea Surface’(1972) 175 Science 1240.

7

Fidra, ‘The Great Technicolour Nurdle Hunt Results’<https://www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/ne

ws-events/item/144-the-great-technicolour-nurdle-hunt.html>.

8

T Karlsson et al, ‘The Unaccountability Case of Plastic Pellet Pollution’(2018) 129 Marine

Pollution Bulletin 52.

DOI: 10.1111/reel.12267

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