AGM 2020 Resolution on Plastics, Public Health and the Environment

The ACR during the AGM 2020 approved a Resolution on Plastics, Public Health and the Environment

Justification

Source: The main objectives for the literature study “Gender and Plastics Management” are:

• to conduct research on the links between gender and plastics consumption and production, with
• focus on the impacts of the chemicals used in plastic production on human health, as well as
• the roles of women and men as agents of change in reducing the impacts of plastics on the environment (especially marine environment) and human health.

Main findings from the literature study Plastic production and consumption:

• The packaging industry uses about 40% of the global plastic production, and households use about 20% of the global plastics for consumer products.
• Studies found women buy basic consumer goods such as food, health items, clothing and household products more often than men.
• Men more often buy expensive goods like cars and electronic equipment

Plastics and hazardous chemicals:

• Studies, mainly from wealthy countries showed that both men and women can be at risk from hazardous chemicals during plastic production, usage and disposal.
• Very little research is available on the exposure of the work force to hazardous chemicals in the plastics industry in less-wealthy countries.
• Moreover, on a global level there is very scarce gender disaggregated literature to be found about the number of workers in the plastic industry, and their exposure to hazardous chemicals and resulting health effects during the several specific processes of plastic production and plastic waste management (i.e. recycling, incineration).
• Not only during production, but also in daily life, plastics, for example plastics from packaged food, PVC flooring, can release hazardous chemicals such as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), affecting both men and women. In addition,
• EDCs are also identified in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs), of which women are the biggest users.

Management of waste: Taking a global perspective, the low income and lower-middle income countries dispose of far less amounts of municipal solid waste than the high and upper middle income countries. Nevertheless globally landfilling of waste is still the most common practice. The EU collectively exports almost half of the plastics collected for recycling, at least 87% of which goes to China.

Although the household use of plastics in less wealthy countries is much lower than in wealthy countries, the less wealthy countries contribute to a large extend to plastic litter in waterways and Oceans due to the poor or lacking waste management. Globally 80% of the marine litter is land-based; five Asian countries contribute with more than half to the marine litter

Summary Findings of a literature study: Plastics, Gender and the Environment in countries without formal waste management. More women earn livelihoods in the informal waste and recycling sectors than in similar formal occupations. Waste management, i.e. recycling behaviour, cannot be generally attributed to males or females, but there are gender roles, which may differ between cultures. As a consequence, exposure to health hazards may differ due to such gender roles.

The sources of the pollution depend on the location and the local/regional activities. To mention a few examples:

• the presence or absence of a plastic industry;
• population density and activities (released litter, washing machines, traffic);
• consumer habits on using PCCP and detergents with microplastics;
• level and type of solid waste management; and
• marine activities.

Environmental behaviour and gender roles: Research showed women tend to perceive various hazards as more risky in comparison to men and are less willing than men to impose health and environmental risks on others. However, waste management cannot generally be attributed to males or females, but there are gender roles, which may differ between cultures

Recommendations

Investigations showed that in Europe the fragmentation of plastic debris is the main source of microplastics, followed by tyre abrasion and pellet loss.

• Evidence indicates that the uptake of plastic particles and associated chemicals through seafood consumption poses threats to human health. Evidence also indicates that micro plastics can be transported through the placenta to unborn foetuses.
• However, the amount and type of ingested plastic particles, and consequently the risks for human health upon consumption, depends on several factors and may vary between countries, species and populations of fish and seafood.
• To prevent future damage to human health and wildlife, intentionally added microplastics in PCCPs, such as in toothpaste, shampoos, baby care products or cleaning and maintenance products, needs to be prohibited as they are apparently easy to replace by harmless substances.

Key findings regarding the global practices on waste management are:

• international efforts should be made in particular to reduce the wealthy countries plastics waste disposal, targeting women as important stakeholders;
• infrastructure for adequate recycling practices should be communicated and established;
• formal and informal landfilling and incineration should be minimised, and the needs of men and women in the informal waste sector should be addressed.
• Microplastics: The findings regarding the release of microplastics into the environment show the complexity of the causes and sources of microplastics. Investigated atmospheres, rivers, lakes and oceans are contaminated with different types of microplastics and from different landbased sources.

 Educational campaigns on all levels targeting

• decision-makers,
• men and women, and male and female consumers

Topics could include, for example:

• the consequences of purchasing,
• reusing and disposing of plastic consumer goods,
• impacts and sources of microplastics in the environment and in food, microplastics in PCCP,
• and adequate plastic waste management need to take place.

Biodegradable plastics: based on the available evidence it can be concluded biodegradable plastics will not contribute to a reduction of marine litter.

• Agents of change: men and women can act as agents of change in order to reduce plastics related to basic consumption and to increase the recycling rate of plastics.
• Nevertheless, awareness of the environmental problems related to plastics has to be raised globally among men, women and decision-makers:
• A reduction of plastic use in daily life requires a multi-sectorial approach. A regional or national ban on plastic bags and plastic one use disposable items is one step,
• Moreover retailers and in particular consumers are important stakeholders for realizing a reduction of plastic consumption at household level.
• Alternatives to plastic goods have to be incentivised, promoted and produced.
• Globally, accessible and affordable infrastructures for the safe collection and recycling post-consumer plastics have to be in place

 Source: WECF Women Engage for a Common Future: Plastics, Gender and the Environment