The amount of plastic waste flowing into our sea could triple by 2040, unless governments and companies take drastic measures to reduce plastic production, according to research by the International Solid Waste Association for The Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ. According to the study, disposable plastic use has surged during the coronavirus pandemic, which boosts demand for plastic-based face masks, latex gloves, online delivery packaging, and takeaway food containers.
Academics and scientists involved in the study also said that without any drastic measures to cut plastic production, the amount of ocean plastic waste could reach up to 29 million tons/year in 2040. That will add cumulative maritime plastic pollution to 600 million tons, equal to the weight of 3 million blue whales.
They urged the industry to redirect investments for new plastic production capacity to alternative products, waste collection expansion, and recycling facilities in developing countries to reduce up to 80% of the projected volume of plastic entering the ocean.
The study estimates that global plastic production climbed from 2 million tons in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017. The number is expected to double by 2040. The researchers criticize big plastic makers, including ExxonMobil, Dow, and CPC, which committed to tackling plastic pollution but at the same time continue to invest in new production capacity.
Further, they recommend governments to introduce subsidies for reusable alternatives and implement laws to discourage plastic production expansion. Some consumer good producers such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, and Unilever have committed to slashing the volume of virgin plastic in their packaging portfolio. However, the current corporate commitments and governments’ measures would lower maritime plastic waste by only 7%, the researchers noted.
