Five oil and chemical companies pledged to tackle plastic waste but produced vastly more plastic than they diverted from the environment, Greenpeace data reveals.
Sandra Laville reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Five major companies in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste produced 132 million tons of plastic over five years, compared to just 118,500 tons of waste cleaned up.
- Despite promises to divert 15 million tons of plastic, the alliance quietly abandoned this target, citing it as overly ambitious.
- UN treaty negotiations to limit plastic pollution face resistance from industry groups opposing production caps.
Key quote:
“They’re letting the running tap flood the house while trying to scoop up the water with a teaspoon. The only solution is to cut the amount of plastic produced in the first place.”
— Will McCallum, co-executive director at Greenpeace UK.
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution contributes to environmental degradation and public health risks, yet production continues to grow. Without limiting production, recycling efforts may not prevent rising waste levels in oceans and ecosystems.
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