Greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and waste are set to grow by 37 percent by 2050, researchers say. Photo: 123rf
A scientist says a study on global plastic waste is encouraging, but the best strategy is to significantly reduce the use of plastics in the first place.
Modelling published in the journal Science suggests plastic waste is likely to double by 2050.
The study also found that greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and waste management were set to grow by 37 percent over the same period.
According to the research, if just four of the eight interventions being considered for the United Nations Plastic Pollution Treaty are adopted, plastic waste around the world could be reduced by about 90 percent in 25 years.
ESR researcher Olga Pantos said policies to reduce plastic waste were "encouraging", but plastics posed a significant risk to the environment and human health.
"The other 'end-of-life' fates of plastics are immense, and only getting bigger.
"The most important and impactful thing we can do is to significantly reduce our use of plastics... [and] every bit of plastic we refuse or don't voluntarily bring into our lives reduces harm all the way back to the point where fossil fuels are drawn out of the ground to make the plastic polymer.
"Doing so also reduces the need for all the other chemicals used in plastic production - of which approximately 4000 are known to have negative human health effects - reducing emissions from transport, removing the risk of the plastic or plastic item becoming pollution on its long journey from factory to your door.
"We are facing a triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Plastic is a major contributor and amplifier of all three. It is essential that an ambitious and effective treaty, based on scientifically robust evidence, is achieved to ensure a safe and sustainable future for generations to come."