Human behaviour, not plastics, major cause of ocean pollution
PEOPLE’S irresponsible behaviour and not plastic products themselves are the cause of ocean pollution, says Plastics SA.
Plastics SA says while attempts to reduce or even ban single-use plastics have become a worldwide initiative, the idea of increasing the use of other packaging material is not a sustainable solution.
“If we replace plastic with other materials such as glass, paper etc. and not address consumer behaviour, those materials will soon become the next problem,” says Monya Vermaak, Plastics SA marketing and communications executive.
“There is no guarantee that they (other materials) will be recycled and not end up in the ocean,” said Vermaak.
She said Plastics SA, which represents all sectors in the industry, viewed “unnecessary plastic items as the critical issue of our time”.
“We take the issue of plastic waste incredibly seriously,” said Vermaak. “There are many positive uses for plastic, but clearly, there are products and materials that could be used less.”
She said while plastics were valuable and made modern life convenient and easy, “they need to enter the recycling stream to maintain their value and be kept out of the environment.”
She said results of the latest International Coastal Clean Up had shown that pollution in the oceans was caused by irresponsible human behaviour.
It’s that what needs to be addressed and corrected, said Vermaak. She said a lack of waste infrastructure in Third World countries had contributed significantly to the litter problem.