With starting out as Plastic Oceans UK and producing the ground-breaking documentary on plastic pollution, “A Plastic Ocean”, it is safe to say that we know a thing or two on plastic!

 

• On Global Plastic Production
  
  According to a Our World in Data report, the number of plastics produced globally in 2015 is 350 million tonnes. At Ocean Generation, we understand that plastic production levels continue to grow year on year, albeit we’ve seen some evidence of a temporary COVID-19 related blip in 2020 which we expect will soon resume to its exponential growth trajectory. In fact, a report by Plastics Europe predicts that the global plastic production levels will reach 1,800 million tonnes by 2050.

                               

• No plastic should end up in the ocean or any natural environment – landfill and incineration facilities are not aligned with our vision for a world where a healthy connection between humanity and the ocean has been restored.
  
  
• Preventing ocean plastic pollution starts with reduction in plastic production and use, as far upstream as possible – unnecessary and problematic plastics must be eliminated.

 

• Businesses producing and/or selling plastic have a responsibility for the full life cycle and all impacts of their products, including product end-of-life.

 

     

• Tackling plastic pollution starts with preventing waste generation first and foremost – we prioritise at-source prevention over cure as the most effective strategy.

 

• Where plastic use is absolutely essential, we prioritise reuse first and foremost – reducing the need for single-use and downstream waste management.

 

• While improving recycling can provide an important safety net, we cannot recycle our way out of the urgent plastic pollution crisis.

 

• Scientific credibility and intentional social inclusion cannot be compromised by any real solution to plastic pollution.

        We must address the knowledge gaps in science.