Brussels - PlasticsEurope, the European Association of Plastics Manufacturers, and EuPC, the European Plastics Converters, together with other actors in the European plastics industry are developing a joint approach on marine litter with Surfrider Foundation, a global NGO created by surfers dedicated to defending, saving, improving and managing marine resources. The industry is unanimous in its view that marine littering is completely unacceptable and that it must work with other groups in society to find solutions, to litter entering the marine environment.

The initiative, which includes establishing a joint programme with a leading NGO and working alongside the European Union on this issue, demonstrates that the industry wants to play an important role and contribute significant technical expertise to tackling the problem and shaping a solution.

The European plastics industry’s concern was especially expressed in a debate at the recent PlasticsEurope and EuPC annual meetings involving speakers from the industry, legislators and research community. The industry-filled audience overwhelmingly voted that the plastics sector "should act responsibly and contribute to solving the marine litter problem.”

Dr Wilfried Haensel, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope said, "Marine litter is a high priority for our industry, demonstrated by the intention to agree on a joint approach with Surfrider, as well as our involvement with the European Maritime Strategy working group established by the EU Commission.”

And he added, "The marine litter issue is complex but experts are united in the view that 80 percent of the plastic material in our oceans originates from land. The huge investments we are making to help improve end-of-life waste management throughout Europe are therefore fundamental to help solve this problem. Even more effort needs to go in this direction in combination with new initiatives to stem other sources of marine pollution and evaluate what can be done practically to undo decades of littering and poor waste management across the world that has resulted in this problem".

Quelle: PlasticsEurope

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