On behalf of ESDO and IPEN, Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO has given a statement on the global plastic treaty INC-3.
She stated, “Plastic recycling is a false solution to beat plastic pollution. Since plastic products contain chemicals, recycling plastics means recycling these chemicals. Plastic recycling process discharges microplastics in the environment as well as releases greenhouse gases which lead to global warming. Additionally, the persistence of toxic chemicals as additives and the presence of residual contaminants in recycled plastics can pose risks to both human health and the environment.
Another false solution is “bioplastics”. Bioplastics are not inherently biodegradable. These plastics can persist in the environment for a long time, similar to traditional plastics.”
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-3), is taking place at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General of ESDO and Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO are participating at the INC 3 on behalf of ESDO.
