Driving Climate Action Through Responsible Sourcing and Recycled Plastics
(Source Credits: Plastics For Change)
As the Global Plastics Treaty approaches its final negotiations, we stand at a critical juncture—not just to tackle plastic pollution, but to address its deeply intertwined climate impact. A recent report by Eunomia, commissioned by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), offers a bold vision for aligning industry practices with the 1.5°C climate target. At the heart of this vision are responsible sourcing and an increased reliance on recycled plastics.
Here’s where the "40x40" target comes into play.
The 40x40 Target: Rethinking Plastic Production for Climate Impact
Imagine a future where we produce 40% less virgin plastic by 2040. This is exactly what the “40x40” target aims to achieve, using 2025 as a baseline. Reducing plastic production on this scale would prevent 371 million tonnes of primary plastic from entering the market each year, totalling a 2.7 billion tonne reduction over 25 years. Such a bold target could fundamentally alter how we think about plastics and climate action, aligning the Global Plastics Treaty with international climate commitments like the Paris Agreement.
Pathways to a 40% Reduction in Virgin Plastic
Achieving the 40x40 target will be no small feat. The report proposes two possible approaches:
1. Business-As-Usual Demand Scenario: This pathway would require a 63% global recycling rate—a staggering leap from today’s 10%. Achieving this would mean a nearly tenfold expansion in global recycling infrastructure, stretching our current systems to the brink.
2. Reduced Demand Scenario: The second scenario, a 35% reduction in demand for plastic, sets a more attainable recycling rate target of 43%. Achieving this would still demand a significant increase in recycling capacity, relying heavily on supportive policies that prioritise demand reduction and foster innovation in recycling technology.
Each pathway highlights that while recycling is essential, it isn’t a silver bullet. To meet the 40x40 goal, the industry must reduce demand for virgin materials and rethink the entire production process.
Moving Beyond Recycling: Decarbonizing Plastics for a Sustainable Future
This issue goes beyond plastics ending up in the environment—it’s about tackling emissions head-on by transforming the production process. Here’s what’s needed:
Electrification of Production: Shifting to electric steam crackers powered by renewable energy could reduce emissions by up to 30% for polyethylene and polypropylene, plastics found in everyday products. This shift would not only make the industry more sustainable but also enable low-carbon chemical recycling.
Chemical Recycling and Bio-Based Plastics: For hard-to-recycle plastics, chemical recycling could bridge the gap where mechanical recycling falls short. Meanwhile, bio-based feedstocks like bio-ethylene present a promising alternative that could cut our dependency on fossil fuels.
Renewable Energy for Heat and Electricity: Plastics production relies heavily on energy. Transitioning to green hydrogen and renewable energy sources would decarbonize these processes, reducing the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Demand Reduction Through Redesign and Policy: Reusable products, incentives for recycled content, and restrictions on single-use plastics can all reduce the demand for new plastics, fostering a culture of sustainability in both production and consumption.
A Call for Urgent Action
Time is a critical factor here. Without immediate steps, plastics could account for half of our global carbon budget by 2025, making it increasingly difficult to meet climate goals. The next five years are crucial.
For this reason, the Global Plastics Treaty should outline concrete reduction targets, incentivise responsible sourcing, and support advanced recycling technologies. Coordinated, cross-sector action is essential to drive this shift, making circularity not just a concept but a practical solution for the plastics industry.
A Shared Responsibility to Reimagine the Future of Plastics
The momentum is here, and the Global Plastics Treaty offers a historic opportunity to reshape how we produce, use, and view plastics. Businesses, governments, and communities all have a part to play. By investing in responsible sourcing and embracing recycled materials, they can meet consumer demands for sustainability while innovating for a cleaner future.
Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to bring about this shift. We can redefine the future of plastics, ensuring it aligns with a sustainable, climate-conscious economy.