180+ Governments Agree to Curb Impacts on Human Health and Environment, Including Plastic Pollution

May 11, 2019 – MALIBU, Calif., U.S. – Plastic Oceans International, the US-based nonprofit organization serving the ocean and global public to end plastic pollution, announced it firmly supports the legally-binding United Nations (UN) agreement to regulate hazardous chemicals and waste, including plastic waste. See the below statement from Global Executive Director, Julie Andersen.

Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (a.k.a. The Triple COPs) came to a May 10 decision in Geneva, known as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal. Supported by 187 parties (approx. 180 governments), the legally-binding agreement protects human health and the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals and waste, including plastic waste.

Statement by Julie Andersen, Global Executive Director, Plastic Oceans International:

“This deal is firmly supported by Plastic Oceans International, and it stands as a strong statement of leadership in the ongoing effort to solve the plastic pollution issue and ways with which it is dealt. We can no longer pass the problem off to the next generation, just as we can no longer continue to use our global community’s developing nations as dumping grounds for unwanted plastic waste.

“Instead, we must take ownership of the plastic pollution problem and encourage innovation that leads to a shift in social norms, embraces reduction of our plastic reliance and eventually eliminates all single-use plastic products. This agreement stands as a strong statement to the entire world, including the private, consumer and commercial sectors.

“With our global headquarters based in the US, Plastic Oceans is disheartened by our nation’s refusal to join the agreement. A lack of participation is further evidence that the current administration lacks an understanding of how the health of our planet directly impacts the health of our nation – from our citizens to our economy to our national security.”

About Plastic Oceans International
Plastic Oceans International is a nonprofit organization serving the ocean and public to end plastic pollution. Its goal is to change the world’s attitude toward plastic, affecting consumer behavior, corporate and public policy. Plastic Oceans informs, inspires and incites action on plastic pollution to shift the global reliance on plastic. It uses inspirational solutions-focused film, media and awareness initiatives, paired with supportive activism, promoting a global movement to rethink plastic. At least eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year—the equivalent of dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean per minute. While more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually, more than 90% of all plastic is not recycled. Learn more at plasticoceans.org, on Facebook @PlasticOceans, Instagram @plasticoceans, Twitter @PlasticOceansUS and YouTube Plastic Oceans International.