Want a solution to plastic pollution? Scientists urge UN to require global reporting
Plastic is a wonder material that has molded itself to fit a wide variety of applications. But it comes with a host of drawbacks that aren't fully considered. That's why the United Nations has convened to hammer out a treaty to address plastic pollution.
Scientists urge the United Nations to implement a global reporting system for plastic pollution, highlighting the need for standardized measurement and tracking of plastic production, usage, disposal, and pollution. Co-authored by researchers from UC Santa Barbara and Tsinghua University in Beijing, the proposal emphasizes the importance of data collection and reporting, which is crucial for managing plastic waste effectively.
The authors argue that without proper measurement and reporting, it will be challenging to regulate plastic pollution, similar to how successful international treaties have addressed other environmental issues. They propose a program that would involve measuring the types of plastics produced, their trade, recycling, and disposal, requiring standardized labeling and measurement practices.
The scientists stress that plastic is an indispensable material with numerous beneficial applications, but its non-biodegradable nature contributes significantly to environmental pollution. They advocate for a global reporting system to enable tracking of plastic flows, evaluating interventions, and informing regulations, drawing parallels with successful international pollution agreements.
The authors stress that managing what cannot be measured is impossible, emphasizing the urgency of adopting standardized reporting practices to address the plastic pollution crisis effectively.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
