By Ronald Sserwadda, 23-04-2024

Scientists and experts from around the world will descend on Ottawa in time for Earth Day as part of a global effort to end plastic pollution on Earth.

The fourth of five rounds of negotiations as part of a United Nations delegations aims to develop an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The summit will be taking place at the Shaw Centre starting on April 23, the day after Earth Day, to April 29.

Approximately 4,000 delegates from 175 countries are expected to attend the week-long summit.

Experts have become increasingly concerned over the impact of plastic pollution on the environment, especially on marine ecosystems. Delegates are seeking international regulations to get rid of the most toxic kinds of plastic and to decrease the levels of plastic produced and consumed globally.

“Plastic waste is something we need to get better at,” said Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institute, on CFRA Live on Newstalk 580 CFRA.

“Our recycling systems are completely broken. On average across the country, only about 10 per cent of plastic is recycled – the rest winds up in the landfill or winds up in the environment.”

The Organization for Economic Co-operation says global plastic production grew from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019, while plastic waste grew from 156 million tonnes to 353 million tonnes.

Globally about half of that waste ends up in landfills, one-fifth is incinerated, sometimes to create electricity, and almost one-tenth is recycled. More than one-fifth is “mismanaged,” meaning it ends up in places it is not supposed to be.

“Half of all plastic ever made has been made in the last 15 years, so were talking about an exponential increase in the production and use in plastics,” Smith said.

“There’s a real good shot in Ottawa with the world in town to write some new rules to solve this type of pollution. As Canadians, I’m proud that we’re hosting.”

A UN report prepared ahead of the second round of treaty talks in Paris last June said more than 13,000 chemicals are used to make plastics, and 10 groups of those chemicals are highly toxic and likely to leech out of their products. That includes flame retardants, ultraviolet stabilizers and additives used to make plastics harder, waterproof or stain resistant.

The session will be preceded by regional consultations taking place on Monday.

The UN says three thematic side events will also be held on Wednesday and Thursday. The themes include: plastic pollution in the marine environment, enabling a just transition and approaches to capacity building, financing and financial mechanisms.

The revised draft (opens in a new tab) of the internationally binding instrument on plastic production is available in all six official UN languages.

The UN says it aims to finalize a deal by the end of the year.

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