Countries gather to thrash out deal on 'plastic crisis'
Summary
Countries are meeting at a UN conference in Geneva to try to agree on a global treaty to reduce plastic waste. Scientists warn that around 200 trillion pieces of plastic are in the world's oceans, and the amount could triple if no action is taken. Despite a previous agreement in 2022 to create a legally binding treaty, no consensus has been reached so far.Key Facts
- Plastic production has increased significantly since the 1950s, reaching 475 million tonnes by 2022.
- Only about 10% of plastic is recycled, while 60% is used only once before becoming waste.
- Plastics are found in oceans and can harm wildlife by ingestion or entanglement.
- Microplastics, tiny plastic pieces, are found across all environments and can harm animal tissues.
- A report estimates that the health impacts of plastic pollution cost at least $1.5 trillion yearly.
- Informal waste workers face health risks like burns, cancer, and stillbirths from exposure to plastic waste.
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