How much does plastic cost us?The ‘impossible ' disposal for poor countries and the nonsense of pollution that does not stop

The new Treaty against Plastic pollution that is being discussed at global level is an opportunity to finally change things and solve the serious inequalities between rich and poor countries

How much does a kilogram of plastic cost?Considering the entire life cycle, from production to disposal, for a kilo of plastic you spend 19 dollars in high-income countries, while in low-and middle-income countries, they can also spend $ 150 and in some cases even 200, with a cost 10 times higher than the reference one.Despite the fact that they are at the same time the countries where the consumption of plastic is very low.Are the results of thelatest report published by thefDo I need plastic pollution?Enabling global equity in the plastic value chain"Who pays for plastic pollution?Promote global equity in the plastic value chain.The report, developed by Dalberg, analyzes the real cost of plastic for environment, health and economy.And raise the alarm:“We can no longer act as if plastic is a cheap disposable good. It has huge costs for some of the most vulnerable communities who do not have the power to change the system.The lack of action will result in a higher cost for all of us,” says Eva Alessi, Head of Sustainability atfFor the association that has always fought for the environment, it is necessary to do something and must be done with the Global Treaty to reduce plastic pollution currently under discussion (the third meeting will be held next week): “This is our chance to change this“.The draft agreement discussed so far, however, would not give sufficient guarantees in this regard and would not provide for the clear and fair global rules that would be necessary.

WWF: "CHANGING THE CURRENT SYSTEM”

‘Our linear model of extract-produce-use-throw, especially when related to plastics, it has an unfair impact on the most vulnerable countries and disadvantaged.In addition to not solving the global plastic pollution crisis in the most efficient way, the current system shifts most of the costs to those who are less equipped to support them, without placing any responsibility on those who most produce and use plastic products', said Eva Alessi, Head of Sustainability atf

THE CASE OF KENY

The problem is that such different costs have substantial implications for low and middle income countries, from 13 to 19 November, the third meeting of negotiations for a Global Treaty to end plastic pollution will be held.Six years ago, the KenaToday, the country continues to have to counter illegal imports of single-use plastic bags, highlighting the cross-border nature of the problem and the inequalities due to the current plastic value chain, which put countries such as Kena

"BINDING RULES EVEN FOR STRONG COUNTRIES THAT PRODUCE MORE PLASTIC”

Thef define binding and fair global rules on the production and consumption of plastic, and to promote by all a more careful use in line with what the organization tells these days through the Sustainable Future campaign.The report on plastic reports theurgent review of the current plastic system.Business-as-usual could be a death sentence not only for a growing number of plastic victim species, but also for many of our Planet's vulnerable and marginalized human communities, for a increased risks to both health, due to both exposure to toxic chemicals conveyed by plastic, and to real “floods and storm surges” of plastic waste. The Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution is our chance to change this, including binding and fair global rules on its production and consumption.
The disproportionately higher costs that low-and middle-income countries incur are the direct result of three structural inequalities that reinforce the current system.

POOR COUNTRIES HAVE NO SAY ON THE MATERIALS TO BE PRODUCED

The first inequality is that the system puts low-and middle-income countries at a disadvantage, as they have minimal influence on what plastic materials are produced and how they are designed, but they are often expected to know how to handle these products once they reach the end of their life cycle.Product and system design considerations are typically done further upstream, in countries with extensive and massive plastic production, and by multinational companies based in high-income countries.Data up to 2019 show that only 9% of plastic waste is recycled.Currently, about 60% of global plastic production is destined for single-use products, which are designed to be thrown away after just one use.

TOO HIGH COSTS OF DISPOSAL

The second inequality is that the production rate of plastic, especially for single-use plastic, it is far exceeding the technical and financial capabilities of waste management, end of life in low-and middle-income countries.Without reducing plastic production and consumption, low-and middle-income countries will continue to have to support the highest burden of environmental and socio-economic impacts due to plastic pollution.

WE NEED CLEAR RULES FOR ALL COUNTRIES, OR EVERYTHING WILL FALL TO THE WEAKER COUNTRIES

The third inequality is that the system lacks a fair way to make plastic-producing countries and companies accountable for their actions, on plastic pollution and its impact on health, environment and economy (for example, through mandatory extended producer responsibility schemes in each of the countries in which they operate).In the absence of common obligations in all jurisdictions and for all companies, to support a circular, fair and non-toxic plastic economy, low-and middle-income countries will always end up paying the highest price.

The establishment and implementation of a United Nations Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution based on harmonized and binding global rules can help us create a more equitable system, empowering low-and middle-income countries and prioritizing the most effective and efficient solutions.An example would be the regulation of plastic products, polymers and chemicals at highest risk - those that can cause the most damage or are most likely to cause pollution – so that we can reduce the pressure on countries, especially those with fewer resources, in the management of this waste.Likewise the opportunity to create global product design rules it can help ensure that products are designed to be reused and/or recycled regardless of the country in which they are produced or used.

THEF

To give citizens the opportunity to express their support for the formulation of an ambitious and fair treaty, thef an international Global Vote and invite everyone to sign.In November, the countries will participate in the third of five negotiating sessions on a global treaty to end plastic pollution.Thef:the prohibition, elimination or gradual reduction of high-risk and unnecessary plastic products, polymers and chemicals of concern.global requirements for the design of products and systems capable of ensure a safe and non-toxic circular economy, prioritizing reuse and improving recycling activities, robust measures to support thoughtful and effective implementation including sufficient financial support and alignment of public and private financial flows, particularly for low-and middle-income countries.

Many of the options included in the first draft of the treaty have substantially weaker language and less specific obligations, making it tempting for governments to return to old bad habits of relying on national or voluntary action rather than creating common regulations.But our report showed that relying on the decisions of individual governments results in an unfair system in which the burdens not only are they unevenly distributed, but they are supported by those who are less equipped to remedy them – concluded Eva Alessi-.Compromising on a treaty based primarily on national action will bring us back to where we were:divided and unable to stem plastic pollution. We can no longer act as if plastic is a cheap disposable good. It has huge costs for some of the most vulnerable communities who do not have the power to change the system.The lack of action will result in a higher cost for all of us.Countries must increase their ambition and develop a treaty with harmonised and binding global rules if we are to achieve a fair plastic value chain and a plastic pollution-free future.