Plastics industry unified in combatting marine litter

Vietnam – This year, a further seven plastics industry associations have signed the Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, also known as the Joint Declaration.

These are: the American Fiber Manufacturers Association; the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association; the Flexible Packaging Association; the Ghanaian Plastics Manufacturers Association; the Myanmar Plastics Industries Association; the Indonesian Olefins, Aromatics and Plastics Association; and the Vietnam Plastics Association.

‘We’re excited to welcome each of these new partners, who bring perspectives from countries in Asia and Africa, or types of plastic not previously represented in our Joint Declaration,’ stated Steve Russell, vice president plastics at the American Chemistry Council during the latest global meeting on plastics and sustainability held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Also at the meeting, it was agreed by delegates from 17 countries that the group will be known henceforth as the Global Plastics Alliance.

‘Addressing marine litter issues effectively requires that we bring local, regional and global stakeholders together,’ stressed Karl-Heinz Förster, executive director of PlasticsEurope. ‘Broadening our fold helps us find new partners and opportunities to tackle this very serious problem.’

Callum Chen, secretary general of the Asia Plastics Forum, added: ‘Together, as a united, global industry, we’re involved in hundreds of marine litter prevention programmes in all regions of the globe. But there is still much to do. Growing our ranks helps further grow our work.’

The Declaration was launched in 2011 and has been signed by 69 plastics associations. Together, they claim to have some 260 projects planned, under way or completed.