Three pieces of advice for politicians about plastic
Plastic, and plastic pollution, are a huge problem for both human health and the environment. An interdisciplinary panel of experts suggests that politicians take three concrete steps to better understand and rein in this growing problem.
Plastic has become indispensable in our modern world. We find plastic in everything from the healthcare system to food production on land and at sea. But the use of plastic leads to huge pollution problems and also has health consequences.
Increasing amounts of plastic waste on land and in the world’s oceans are visible reminders of the scale of the problem.
But the biggest challenge is linked to the plastic we don’t see. Plastic chemicals and micro- and nanoplastic particles are released into the environment during use and decomposition.
In a presentation during Arendaluka, an annual gathering in southern Norway for politicians, business leaders and researchers, NTNU researchers offered three concrete measures that politicians can enact to better understand this problem and eventually bring it under control.
Arendalsuka (Arendal Week)
Arendalsuka is the largest political gathering in Norway held annually since 2012. The event’s mission is clear: strengthen the belief in political empowerment and democracy through open debate and involvement.
Arendalsuka is the result of co-creation between national and local political parties, NGO's, universities, research institutions, private companies and the Municipality of Arendal.
Arendalsuka takes place every year in mid-August. For 5 days, the city of Arendal is filled with an interesting and educational variety of exhibitions and events.
Source: arendalsuka.no
The plastic problem is obviously very complex, but the research group has still managed to boil its advice down to three main points.
1. We need to know much more about how plastic affects our health
All plastics contain chemicals, both those that are added intentionally to provide specific properties, but also those that result from production or impurities. Over time, these chemicals migrate or leak from the plastic material into the environment and can thus enter our bodies through being inhaled, eaten or smeared on the skin. Chemicals from, food packaging, among other sources, can leak into food and drink.
- You might also like: Plastic food packaging contains harmful substances
2. We must stop using harmful chemicals in plastic production
Of the more-than 16,000 chemicals used in plastic production, more than 26 per cent have been proven to be harmful to health and the environment. These account for a staggering 29 to 66 per cent of chemicals found in plastic materials.
At the same time, the potential for harm is unknown for over 62 per cent of the chemicals used in plastics, and we have little insight into the cocktail effect that mixing different plastic chemicals can lead to.
- You might also like: More than 16,000 chemicals in plastic; many are harmful
3. We must reduce plastic consumption and build a safe circular plastic economy
More than 1/3 of all plastic that is produced is used in disposable products. Packaging plastic makes up 42 per cent of all plastic waste, and is almost exclusively new plastic made from fossil sources. Much of the plastic packaging is unnecessary because it neither meets real practical needs, increases functionality, nor adds value to the product.
Despite positive developments in terms of recycling, recycled plastic products still make up only 12.6 percent of the plastic used in Europe, largely because the production of new plastic from fossil sources is so cheap.
Curbing this problem will require international agreements, the researchers say.
Researchers from across the spectrum
This strategy was developed by an interdisciplinary group:
- Anne Mari A. Rokstad, associate professor, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU
- Bjørn Egil Asbjørnslett, director, NTNU Ocean and Coast strategic area
- Isabel G. M. Richter-Jacob, associate professor, Department of Psychology, NTNU
- Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin, PhD candidate, Department of Geography, NTNU
- Karl Klingsheim, professor, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU
- Liv Eggset Falkenberg, coordinator, NTNU Health and Life Sciences strategic area
- Marius Widerøe, director, NTNU Health and Life Sciences
- Martin Wagner, professor, Department of Biology, NTNU
