Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change

Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change Sustainable Production and Consumption Association called on 5 June World Environment Day to overcome plastic pollution as a fundamental issue alongside environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. It urged the creation of employment and income from waste plastic as a national resource. The association's message: do not throw away, do not burn, collect separately. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of 5 June 2023 World Environment Day—the largest global platform for public engagement and the most powerful international celebration observed by millions—Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, Faculty Member at Istanbul Technical University and Chair of the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association, emphasized that this year's theme "Beat Plastic Pollution" highlights the important role of adding value to waste plastic in the circular economy in creating employment and income. She noted that humanity, which discovered plastic and benefits from the convenience and solutions it provides, must also succeed in the best waste plastic management. The green figures of the circular plastic economy await us, she said, reiterating: do not throw away, do not burn, collect separately.

Time to beat plastic pollution

On the 50th anniversary of 5 June World Environment Day, organized since 1973 under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with Côte d'Ivoire as host and the Netherlands as supporter, Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, Faculty Member at Istanbul Technical University and Chair of the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association, stated that the focus is on accelerating action against environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change through the theme "Beat Plastic Pollution," with emphasis on the role of waste plastic in the circular economy. She announced that the time has come to beat plastic pollution.

National wealth from waste plastic transformation

Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu stated: "We must regard plastics that have completed their useful life—waste plastics—as valuable domestic raw materials. Because while plastics are produced from imported oil and natural gas, when waste plastic is generated, it becomes our domestic raw material, our national wealth. In waste prioritization, the sequence of Waste Minimization, Reuse, Recycling/Advanced Recycling, Energy and Material Recovery, and Disposal is important. As waste plastic gains value through transformation in the circular economy, systematic transformation and accelerated action are needed for industry's transition to the circular economy. Our country must not remain outside this trajectory. Transformation is a prerequisite for this change."  

The transformation path for circular plastic economy change

Prof. Karaosmanoğlu stated: "In 2022, 175 UN member states approved a historic decision on a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, to be finalized by the end of 2024. This most important multilateral agreement since the Paris Agreement is regarded as insurance for today and tomorrow. Because a life with plastic—humanity's friend—can only be a friend to nature, the environment and climate through the best waste plastic management. Humanity, which discovered plastic and lives with the convenience and solutions it provides, must also achieve the best waste plastic management. Governments, local administrations, the business world, civil society, academia, media and citizens must take action with science and technology-supported solutions on our transformation path for circular plastic economy change. We can achieve change together," she said.

Frightening and green figures of plastic economics

According to United Nations data, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, half of which is single-use, yet less than ten percent is recycled. It is estimated that waste plastic equivalent to a garbage truck per minute, or 19–23 million tonnes annually—in other words, the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers—ends up in lakes, rivers and seas. This quantity is projected to triple by 2040. More than 85 percent of marine debris is plastic, the most persistent and harmful part. More than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution. Microplastics smaller than 5 mm in diameter enter food, water and air. Each of us consumes more than 50,000 microplastics annually, Dr. Karaosmanoğlu noted with alarming statistics. She stated that if we transition to circular plastic economy and reduce waste plastic entering the sea by 80 percent by 2040, we can achieve savings of USD 70 billion by reducing plastic production from oil and natural gas by 55 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from climate change by 25 percent, and create 700,000 additional jobs. She underlined that the green figures of circular plastic economy hold promise for us.

Do not throw away, do not burn, collect separately

First, let us reduce single-use plastic consumption wherever possible in our lives. Let us purchase long-lasting, durable plastic products. Let us consider options to purchase products in refillable packaging. When waste plastic is generated at home, at school, at work, on the road, in fields or forests, let us pause. Let us think. Let us not allow waste plastic to contaminate soil, water and air. Otherwise, the breath of our beautiful world, which we share with plants, animals and microorganisms, will diminish. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu called for action: do not throw away, do not burn, collect separately. Happy World Environment Day, she said.