News item | 31-08-2022 | 07:00
To combat plastic pollution and plastic soup, we cannot manage with recycling alone. Worldwide, we need to move much more towards the reuse of plastic products and packaging. In this way we reduce the demand for new plastic products and thus prevent environmental pollution. That is what State Secretary Heijnen (Infrastructure and Water Management) advocates today towards her international colleagues at the G20 meeting on climate and environment in Indonesia.
Heijnen: “There is a worldwide realization that recycling alone cannot leave the earth clean enough for future generations. Our rivers, forests and seas are still polluted by plastic, mostly products that are thrown away after one use. We need to use less new raw materials worldwide and switch more to the reuse of plastic products. This way we prevent the plastic from becoming waste immediately after use, which with a bit of luck is recycled, but too often ends up in our environment. Let’s make reuse where possible the norm and thus prevent environmental pollution.”
Prelude to ambitious UN treaty
The G20 is the annual meeting of the 19 largest economic countries and the EU to agree on higher ambitions on many topics among the participating countries: including US, Japan, China, India, Brazil and some European countries. The Netherlands is not a permanent member of the G20, but has been invited as host country by President Indonesia this year. The aim of State Secretary Heijnen at the G20 summit of environment ministers is to agree on higher ambitions against plastic pollution and to stimulate the role of reuse in this. Agreement at the G20 can be seen as an important stepping stone towards an ambitious UN treaty to combat plastic pollution worldwide, which in turn should lead to binding legislation among the countries that sign that treaty. That treaty must be in place by the end of 2024, countries agreed at the beginning of this year during the UN environment summit. That means intensive negotiations will take place over the next two years.
Heijnen: “In the Netherlands, the reuse society is still in its infancy, to be fair, but it is a start. In the Netherlands, for example, from 2024 it will be mandatory if you eat or drink somewhere on site to do this with a normal, washable mug, cup and plate instead of disposable. I believe that as G20 countries, the largest economies in the world, we must take the lead to take big steps here quickly. If we get the G20 to focus on reuse and thus prevent environmental pollution, this can serve as a prelude to a binding and ambitious UN treaty.”
Multinationals largest source of plastic pollution
With recycling, the material is reused, with reuse the product is reused. Recycling is good, but in most cases reuse is better for the environment. This extends the useful life of a product. Although the situation is different in every country, a large part of the plastic pollution by choices made by a number of large multinationals. State Secretary Heijnen wants to consult with these large multinationals about what they can do to increase the range of reuse. For example, packaging of soap, shampoo or cleaning products. Heijnen: “Worldwide, packaging from major players such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Unilever is still the largest source of plastic pollution, and at the same time it is also these companies that are well on their way to less single-use plastic and more reuse. I think that we as the G20 should talk to them about that and help them. Don’t point the finger, but look together at what is needed to achieve more reuse.”
G20
From Monday 29 August to Thursday 1 September, State Secretary Heijnen, together with Minister Jetten, will participate in the ‘G20 Joint Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting’. This year, the Netherlands will be present as the host country at this international summit in Bali, Indonesia. Exchanging knowledge and agreeing ambitions on matters such as the environment and the circular economy is one of the goals of this international summit. State Secretary Heijnen also visits NGO EcoBali that does a good job in Bali against plastic pollution. Heijnen also visits a small supermarket (Refill Store) where products are offered as refillable as possible.