Global Plastic Alliance ramps up marine litter efforts

The number of projects undertaken to deal with marine litter has increased sharply in recent years, the Global Plastic Alliance (GPA) said, as the industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact.

There were 395 projects planned, in progress or completed to prevent marine littering as of early this year, up fourfold from 2011, the GPA said in its latest progress report. The projects were undertaken by 80 plastics associations in 43 countries.

The GPA was formed in 2011 as part of international efforts to reduce plastic litter.

At least 2.5pc of global plastics production ends up in the oceans — around 8mn t/yr of total plastics production of 300mn t/yr — according to non-governmental organisation the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The plastics industry is dealing with a rising number of bans on single-use plastic bags, which typically start in major cities. The bans have yet to have a big impact but are likely to put pressure on demand for some polymer grades in the near term, just as polymer supply is rising rapidly as new capacity comes on line.

By Yee Ying Ang