TIME’s Post

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental crises the world is currently facing. It is also a "silent crisis" for millions of people who go about their lives not realizing the impact and longevity of each plastic item, the magnitude of deception from industry that perpetuated the lie that plastic was benign and recycling was the solution, and the sad reality that our recycling unwittingly contributes to the plastic waste trade and waste colonialism. You might be interested to check out the industry trolling in the comments of the post below. This is becoming an increasing problem, as industry scrambles to discredit the growing number of Indigenous and non-indigenous scientists, lawyers, researchers, journalists, ENGOs, and others who are bringing the facts of this issue to light in mass coalitions. Thank you to Time magazine for highlighting this problem, and to colleagues in Fiji who are working on this issue. Read: https://lnkd.in/eHj_b9RB "Less than a third of Fiji’s plastic waste is locally produced. The rest drifts in with ocean currents from as far away as South Africa and Mexico. It must be disposed of, wherever it comes from, and burning is often the simplest option." "When washed into the ocean, what’s left of the plastic detritus will break into microscopic particles that leach heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the marine environment, slowly poisoning the fish that residents reel in for their evening meals."

California passed AB 881 a few years ago banning most mixed plastic bales from being exported to any country but Canada. A review of CalRecycle's data by Jan Dell and Jim Puckett from the Basel Action Network actually finds that mixed bales are not being sent to Canada but instead to Mexico and to counties that have defined the plastic materials as toxic with bans on receiving that material. The findings also show a significant amount of contamination and that the material that is counted as diversion for recycling is actually being dumped in Mexico and other countries. The US exports our waste and we should be concerned that our waste is an environmental justice issue polluting and contaminating other countries but more than that we are impacting every species on our planet, forever. From: The Last Beach Cleanup & Basel Action Network The Reality of Plastic Waste in California Summary of the Findings 1. Mixed plastic waste bales are illegal to export from California to any country but Canada yet these exports happen daily to countries such as Mexico and Malaysia. 2. All California plastic waste bales exceeded the Basel Convention contamination thresholds of 2-5% and should have been banned from export.  3. Even polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles bales (the one Basel acceptable mixture of PET, polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE)) were contaminated by 8-9% other polymers. California bales of PET bottles contained as much as 64% total unrecyclable contamination. 4. Under SB343, all California plastic waste streams fail to qualify as “recyclable” as they are not "defined streams sent to and reclaimed at a reclaiming facility consistent with the requirements of the Basel Convention.” 5. Exported California mixed plastic waste bales cannot be claimed for diversion under AB881. Yet CalRecycle reports high statewide waste diversion rates of 40% . 6. California's mixed plastic waste exports to banned Countries and Mexico are massive. In 2022, California exported 109,276 bales of mixed plastic wastes to banned countries and 166,423 bales of plastic wastes to Mexico.

📅Have you registered? Our next webinar in the 10th Anniversary Series is on the 17th January at 3pm (UTC). Join experts to learn about how pollution is impacting the deep ocean and what opportunities exist through the new Plastics Treaty. 🌍🌊 https://lnkd.in/eVAb4vw6

The war on plastics/sewage entering our Oceans continues. and we need to collaborate to turn off the taps 💚🌎💙🌊 while spending time back home in New Zealand with daily clean ups and seeing a lot of positive moves being made. The message is when you go to the beach, take with you at least 3 pieces of plastic and dispose of them in the right place. we can all do our share to show we care 🦭🦤🐟🐳 https://lnkd.in/dx-S9ySz The civil society has the power to make the changes needed. let us take the responsibility. Oceans Aid Global UOCEAN® 2050

🌊🌍 A groundbreaking study sheds light on the lasting harm of ocean plastic. But we're not standing idly by. Together, we're on a mission to clean up our oceans, from microplastics to vast garbage patches. The solution? A global effort combining emission cuts, production changes, and massive cleanup. The UN Global Plastics Treaty is our beacon of hope, recognizing cleanup as essential. Source: The Ocean Cleanup @theoceancleanup Published Date: November 14, 2023 #CleanOceans #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #OceanCleanup #Microplastics

Our oceans, teeming with life, are under attack. Plastic mountains choke coral reefs, chemical cocktails poison marine life, and overfishing depletes vital resources. Can you imagine a silent ocean, devoid of its vibrant colors and bustling ecosystems? We don't have to! By supporting marine conservation efforts, ditching single-use plastics, and demanding sustainable fishing practices, we can be the wave of change our oceans need. Imagine endless blue horizons teeming with life, not plastic. Together, let's save our seas and preserve their beauty for generations to come. Dive in and take action! #MarinePollution #OceanConservation #SustainableFisheries #ProtectOurOceans https://lnkd.in/gMi7khX6

Curious about the environmental impact of our daily choices? Small actions add up! From reducing single-use plastics to conserving water, every effort counts. Let’s make eco-conscious choices together. 🌎💚 #SustainableLiving

#Plastic Pollution treaty #INC3 negotiations ended in deadlock No surprise considering the complexity of the negotiation process & hostility of the #oil industry Now countries committed to the treaty must continue to drive the process & ambition forward https://lnkd.in/ekP9gpex

Did you know that over 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year, harming marine life? Let's #BeatPlasticPollution together. Follow to learn more interesting facts about the environment.

apart from c/c issues and impacts in the Pacific... we are also battling the plastic pollution and is affecting our pristine oceans #beatplasticpollution. #together we can! #calling for global treaty https://lnkd.in/ekwrR_Ep