The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) took place in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. It brought together representatives from over 170 countries to work on a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution. While there was progress, many challenges still need to be addressed. Here’s a simple breakdown of what happened.
Read MoreExtended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach that extends a producer’s responsibility for a product to the post-consumer stage of its lifecycle. In simpler terms, it means that companies that manufacture, import, or sell plastic products are also responsible for collecting and recycling those products after consumers are done with them.
Read MorePlastic offset schemes offer a promising solution, allowing businesses to compensate for their plastic use by supporting initiatives that remove or prevent plastic waste. While offsetting shouldn't replace efforts to reduce plastic consumption, it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Here are ten innovative approaches companies can consider in offsetting their plastics.
It all starts with you. When you place your plastic items in the recycling bin, you're setting off a chain of events. In India, however, the formal waste collection system often falls short. According to a 2021 report by the Centre for Science and Environment, only 60% of India's plastic waste is collected. The informal sector, including waste pickers, plays a crucial role, collecting up to 60% of plastic waste in some cities.
Read MoreA significant portion of India's plastic recycling workforce operates in the informal sector, comprising individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. Many are migrants from rural areas or belong to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups like Dalits, tribes, and religious minorities, driven by economic necessity to take on this hazardous work. Their precarious financial situation often forces them to prioritise immediate income over personal safety.
Read MoreGoing green can’t be a side hustle for fashion anymore. It needs to be at the very core of who they are and what they do. Achieving the goal of reducing environmental impact will require all retailers to think creatively and look for solutions across the value chain, including how products are displayed in stores.
Read MoreThe fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, took place from 23rd to 29th April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. Despite some progress made, the issue with the reduction of plastic production remained unaddressed with various environmental groups expressing their concern about it.
Read MoreThe world grapples with a growing plastic pollution crisis. Millions of tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, harming marine life and ecosystems. To address this pressing issue, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC).
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