SUSTAINABILITY
targets to be achieved by 2030 are – define a list of unnecessary or problematic plastic packaging and items and take measures to address them through redesign and innovation ; 100 % of plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable ; 50 % of plastic packaging to be effectively recycled and 25 % average recycled content across all plastic packaging .
The Pact will stimulate innovative new business models to reduce the total amount of plastic packaging . It will also help build a stronger recycling system , ensuring that plastic packaging can be effectively recycled and made into new products , and also as far as possible back into packaging with the support of all stakeholders .
z All stakeholders need to play their part
Mukherjee said that the various stakeholders in the plastic waste value chain within the framework of plastic waste management have an integral role to play in creating this circular plastic economy . Members include businesses from across the plastic packaging value chain – that is , plastic producing , using , and processing companies .
According to Mukherjee , companies with extensive use of plastic packaging should commit to proactively identifying the problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging in their product portfolio . “ They should eliminate and replace the problematic plastic through redesign and innovation replacement , and used plastic delivery models . The elimination and or replacement by alternatives would be sound from a systems perspective , accounting for impact on the entire plastic packaging and package ecosystem and avoiding unintended consequences . When it comes to innovation and design ideas , all plastic packaging and components are to be redesigned for reuse and recycling ,” she said . z
Plastics in the oceans can kill , smother , trap , or entangle animals . However , the most deadly plastic pollution is abandoned , lost , or discarded fishing gear , known as “ ghost gear .” This discovery is not surprising because , after all , the fishing gear is designed to catch and kill marine wildlife . Photo Shutterstock