PLASTICS Outlines Priorities to Address Marine Debris

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) today released its first official statement on marine debris, recognizing the critical importance of our oceans and the great environmental challenge that uncollected plastics present. The statement also highlights the industry’s  commitment to preventing and mitigating marine debris through strengthened recovery systems around the globe. 

“Plastics offer many sustainability advantages that can significantly reduce greenhouse gasses, water consumption and air emissions,” said PLASTICS’ President & CEO William R. Carteaux. “But plastics must be prevented from entering the environment through investment in proper recovery systems. The entire plastics industry is committed to being part of the solution – finding real ways to combat the problem.”

In the statement, PLASTICS outlines the following priorities:

PLASTICS supports data driven research efforts that identify opportunities to meaningfully address marine debris. These opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• educating manufacturers and the public to prevent litter
• expanding collection opportunities
• developing new end markets that increase demand for recycled plastics
• promoting the design of plastic products in a way that facilitates recovery
• promoting clean-ups
• and, ensuring plastics are managed properly at manufacturing sites through programs like Operation Clean Sweep and Zero Net Waste

“The plastics industry is committed to preventing and mitigating marine debris,” according to the statement. “PLASTICS recognizes that marine debris is a global issue, and partners with other associations, non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental authorities to coordinate efforts to strengthen recovery systems around the globe and prevent the loss of any plastics, all of which are valuable, into the environment.”

PLASTICS acknowledges that a collaborative approach is the only approach to solving the marine litter problem. The statement on marine debris serves as a public commitment by the industry to meaningfully address the problem and as a bridge to open dialogue about solutions with other important partners that are equally invested in solving this issue.

Click here to read the full statement. To learn more about PLASTICS’ sustainability efforts, click here.

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About Plastics Industry Association

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), formerly SPI, is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, representing nearly one million workers in the $404 billion U.S. industry. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members and the industry more globally competitive while advancing recycling and sustainability. To learn more about PLASTICS’ education initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, networking opportunities and policy advocacy, and North America’s largest plastics trade show, NPE: The Plastics Show, visit plasticsindustry.org. Connect with PLASTICS on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.