Tackling plastic pollution
Recent years have seen increasing global concern about tackling plastic pollution, which is having a well-documented detrimental impact on the natural world. At the same time as increasing concern, plastic production has also been increasing at unprecedented levels. Last year saw a number of significant steps in the fight against plastic, with the UK bringing in a ban on a host of single-use plastics, and countries around the world coming together to begin talks on a global plastics treaty. In the year ahead, these talks come to a climax and the UK, along with 63 other countries head into elections, meaning potentially significant change on the horizon.
UK Government to hold election
The clock is ticking on the UK Government to hold an election, with just 12 months left of this Parliament. The pre-election battle ground is now heating up with Parties on all sides putting forward their vision to become the next government. Green issues are likely to become a dividing line between the Conservative and Labour, with policies such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone already having split the two largest parties. Whoever takes the keys to Number 10 next needs innovative and ambitious ideas to tackle the range of climate issues at hand, including the plastic pollution crisis, which continues to grow.
Sales of plastic bottles continue to soar
Sales of plastic bottled water are soaring in the UK, with 3.5 billion PET bottles of bottled water sold annually. These plastic bottles, alongside other harmful single-use plastic items often end up polluting the natural world, including rivers and seas, causing untold damage to marine life. At BRITA we believe that simple policies, such as extending the provision of water fountains, could have a significant impact on behaviour change towards reuse and ultimately reduce consumption of plastic bottles. We also know the public is ready and waiting for this type of change with 70% of Brits stating they would use a reusable water bottle if it were easier to refill in public, according to our latest research.
UN Plastic Treaty
Looking beyond the UK, progress on the UN Plastics Treaty is set to accelerate, with representatives due to attend a series of negotiations this year. Campaigners hope the talks result in a far-reaching agreement, which establishes a framework for significantly reducing the production of plastics and holds nations accountable for their plastic waste management. Whilst many were hoping the agreement would include a focus on reuse, it looks more likely that recycling will be central.
Biodiversity Conference
Alongside the plastics treaty negotiations, in October the United Nations will also be facilitating the Biodiversity Conference (COP16), in Columbia. The conference aims to determine global efforts to protect and restore nature for the year ahead. With 12 million tonnes of plastic finding its way into the sea each year, world leaders must come together to turn the tide on plastic, which chokes marine life from the coastline to open seas.
Our ambition to take on plastic bottle water companies
The year ahead presents both opportunities to get real on tackling plastic pollution, but there’s also potential for delays in progress. With so much at stake for the environment, 2024 must be a year of action not inaction. We know businesses have an important role to play in climate solutions, and at BRITA we have big ambitions, from driving forward our campaign to increase water fountains and taking on plastic bottled water companies to working closely with our innovative charity partners.
