With the ever increasing focus on environmental sustainability, the world faces a pressing need to tackle the ecological impact caused by extensive plastic use. Biomaterials are beginning to emerge as a promising solution to address this challenge, according to Angelica Buan. Too much of plastics The global food packaging market is on an upward trajectory, projected to soar from nearly US$1.2 trillion in 2023 to surpass US$1.4 trillion by 2028, as reported in Smithers’ The Future of Global Packaging to 2028. Asia commands the largest market share, accounting for US$470 billion of world packaging sales in 2023, followed by North America with US$270 billion and Western Europe with US$234 billion. The insatiable demand for plastics, continuous waste production, and ineffective management, are unsustainable
However, alongside its rapid growth, a challenge b e y o n d e c o n o m i c c o n d i t i o n s a n d s u p p l y ch a i n d i s r u p t i o n s i s e m e r g i n g i e . s u s t a i n a b i l i t y. T h e Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report, Towards Eliminating P l a s t i c Po l l u t i o n b y 2 0 4 0 , u n d e r s c o r e s t h a t t h e c u rr e n t b u s i n e s s - a s - u s u a l s c e n a r i o — m a r k e d b y relentless plastics demand, waste generation, and mismanagement — is unsustainable. Without ambitious, coordinated, and global policy action, this trend will persist, perpetuating the increase in plastic waste. Over the last two decades, plastics production has more than doubled and is projected to surpass 1.2 billion tonnes/year by 2060. The report also foresees a proportional rise in plastics leaking into rivers and oceans, estimated to soar from 6 million tonnes in 2020 to over 9 million tonnes. This exponential increase in plastic usage and waste volume will significantly amplify adverse consequences for the environment, climate, and health.
Materials News
Biomaterials: wonder materials that are beyond plastics Despite anticipated improvements in waste collection and recycling, plastics use and waste are predicted to surge by over 50% above 2020 levels by 2040. While advances in waste management will reduce plastic leakage, an estimated 23 million tonnes is still expected to escape into the environment by 2040. Treaty to curb plastics consumption Targeting the elimination of plastic pollution, the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC), consisting of 62 Ministers from various nations, has been formed to create policies and strategies for a circular plastics economy. It aims to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040 through an ambitious treaty that manages the entire life cycle of plastics, safeguarding human health and the environment. T h e H AC ’s g l o b a l s t r a t e g i c o b j e c t i v e s i n c l u d e restraining plastic consumption and production to sustainable levels; establishing a circular economy for plastics that safeguards the environment and human health; and achieving environmentally sound management and recycling of plastic waste.
The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, with 62 Ministers from various nations, aims to craft policies for a circular plastics economy and eliminate plastic pollution by 2040 DECEMBER 2023
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