Global plastics groups pledge to fight plastics litter in oceans

23 March 2011 17:02  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS)--The US Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), PlasticsEurope and 40 other plastics and chemicals trade groups have pledged to work together in fighting plastics litter and waste in oceans, they said on Wednesday.

In a joint statement issued at a conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, the groups laid out steps that industries will take and suggested approaches and platforms for global cooperation and future partnerships. 

Producers of plastics from around the globe would use the declaration as a framework for action, they said.

The main causes of marine litter were inadequate waste management infrastructure and insufficient recycling, they said.

SPI CEO William Carteaux said: “The plastics industry has always been about creating innovations that meets societal needs.”

“Marine litter is no exception, and SPI stands ready to participate with others in problem-solving this issue,” he added.

Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council (ACC), said marine litter is a global problem that requires global solutions.

Jacques van Rijckevorsel, president of PlasticsEurope, said while plastics contribute towards preserving resources and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, they need to be disposed of responsibly through either recycling or energy recovery.

“Plastics should not be part of the oceans, and marine litter is not acceptable,” van Rijckevorsel added.

Additional information about the groups' plan is available on this website.

Check out Doris de Guzman’s Green Chemicals Blog for views on sustainability issues

By: Stefan Baumgarten
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