Changing The Lens About Plastic

In 2016, Dame Ellen Macarthur forecast that by 2050 there would be more plastic waste in the sea than fish. Since then, discussion of how to address single-use plastic pollution has risen up the global agenda, driven by voices including Sir David Attenborough in Blue Planet. There have been some signs of progress – for example, consumers shifting their shopping habits to select non-plastic packaging between 2019 and 2021, and in India, the passing of a ban on certain single-use plastic items, including straws, in 2022. But despite this, the Minderoo Foundation recently reported that in 2021, 139 million metric tons (MMT) of single-use plastic waste was generated globally, representing a kilogram more plastic packaging waste per human. In India, plastic consumption was estimated at 15kg per capita.

In our oceans, according to the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation, 67 per cent of species of whale and dolphin are now affected by plastic pollution, with plastics having been shown to affect their ability to feed, digest, navigate, breathe, breed and migrate. Additionally, in 2022 microplastic pollution was detected in human blood for the first time with scientists finding tiny particles in almost of 80 per cent of people tested.

The implications of these data pose a significant challenge to both our environment and society. There is an urgent need for continued and collaborative action, if we are to address this challenge, but this is not an easy task. That is because plastic is embedded in so many products that we use in our daily life--from toys to food packaging. It is more than only an issue of tackling pollution or waste. In fact, it is intertwined with other critical issues, touching on social and economic considerations as well.

Addressing the plastic challenge and accelerating the transition to a circular economy can help us progress towards a sustainable world and move forward on our journey to attain a plastic-free future. Delivering this effectively will require a transition that works for all parts of society and all geographies – one that is accessible and affordable to all. 

There are many ways in which we make a positive impact by addressing some of the costs of cutting plastic usage. As we change our thinking, we can start to look at materials through a different lens and begin integrating the principles of circularity. However, for some people and in some countries, it can be a formidable challenge, as plastics provide the world's growing population with greater access to fresh foods, safer drinking water and medicines. And in many cases, it can help to reduce the waste of products contained within resealable containers. 

Looking at the plastic challenge beyond just waste means seeing the challenge through the whole lifecycle of the product, from its manufacture, use and end of life, designing in such a way that there is potential for reuse, remanufacture and recycling. Each stage of the plastic lifecycle can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment and society, depending on how we manage it. In addition, plastics’ lifecycle can vary across both sectors and regions, depending on their required uses within a sector and the manufacturing and waste management infrastructure. For example, in India, research suggests that only 30 per cent of 3.4 MT plastic waste generated annually is recycled. Nevertheless, there is still much that we can do to reduce the impact of plastics and realise the benefit that this material brings to all countries and people worldwide. 

Firstly, it’s about infrastructure and ensuring we have the requisite waste handling and treatment facilities in place. This is a significant challenge, as over 3 billion of the world’s 8 billion population (38 per cent) don’t have access to proper waste disposal facilities.In India, waste management is a significant challenge as current systems are struggling to cope with the volumes of waste generated by an increasing urban population.

For facilities and product designers this can also mean focusing on the value of the material they are working with, not just in the recycling of waste but in innovating in this space. This could include looking at how these materials can be downcycled (whereby something of lesser value, but of at least some value, is created from the original item once it has been discarded). If we think about waste differently there are opportunities for all types of organisations.

Transitioning to a more circular approach involves taking a lifecycle perspective of the product, spelling out the risks of pollution, while designing the potential for positive societal benefits and minimised impact to people and planet. This assessment would also include the total carbon emissions. 

Equally, it is about innovation to significantly reduce emissions at the front end of the process, which includes using renewable energy or bio-based materials that act as an alternative to traditional fossil-fuel based plastics. In reality, having multiple solutions based on dual horizons can help us accelerate progress toward a low-carbon future that protects our oceans from plastic and our environment from greenhouse gas emissions.

Given the link between plastic pollution and climate change, action on addressing plastic waste and pollution can form a critical component of an organisation’s net zero journey and wider sustainability strategy as reporting requirements come into effect. To support organisations on this journey, we launched the ISO Net Zero Guidelines at COP27 to provide end-to-end framework for taking credible net zero action. We are now turning this into an auditable solution to help organisations be truly transparent in their journey.

Recognising the scale of the challenge, we are also working on a sustainable packaging guideline to provide an independent mark of trust to consumers where sustainable packaging has been followed rigourously throughout the supply chain.

Taking action on reducing the use of polluting plastics and delivering the benefits to society, is an opportunity for all of us, including individual consumers and organisations. We have the potential to play a leading role in supporting the innovations that enable low-carbon manufacturing and find ways to minimise our reliance on single-use plastic.With innovation and collaboration across society, we have the opportunity to shape a better future for us.

(Martin Townsend is director, BSI Centre of Excellence for Sustainability.)