Seeking to deliver solutions to stop plastic pollution, the marine conservation organization Oceana held the discussion “Pollution by plastics: solutions from the circular economy” moderated by the Director of the Oceana Marine Pollution Campaign, Javiera Calisto, in the Camila Ahrendt from Plastic Oceans Chile participated; Karina Arteaga from the Basura Foundation and José Manuel Moller from Algramo.
“We believe that it is of utmost importance to debate not only on the consequences that plastics and waste in general have on the environment, but also on the different ways that exist to solve them,” said Calisto. “We believe that the key is to avoid plastics and disposables that are used only once and opt for reusable elements, thus encouraging what is known as a circular economy,” he added.
The problem of plastic pollution is increasing. In fact, in the last decade alone, the world produced more plastic than throughout the last century, while each year more than eight million tons of this material reaches the ocean. For this reason, promoting the circular economy would end the incessant production of plastic, favoring the reuse of this material.
José Manuel Moller, founder of Algramo, an entity that supplies bulk dispensing machines to neighborhood stores, believes that it is possible to get used to reusable. “In the first years, to give an example, only 5% of the people who bought in the warehouses that work with us returned with their detergent container; Today 80% do it ”, he stated. “We must keep materials in the economy and out of the environment and stop looking at recycling as the great solution when it is actually reuse,” he added.
According to the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine of the Chilean Navy (DIRECTEMAR), in 2018 among the most found items in beach cleanings are plastic waste, lids, food wrappers, drink bottles, pieces pen and grocery packaging, among others.
“Plastic is intended to last for many years, but is being treated as a disposable. Today almost 50% of the plastics produced are for single use ”, Camila Ahrendt of Plastic Oceans Chile pointed out. “If we consider that the elaboration of this material has a great impact on the environment, it is not logical that it be used to discard it in a few minutes,” she added.
Along the same lines, Karina Arteaga, from the Basura Foundation, emphasized that prevention in the generation of garbage is key to reducing pollution, as well as changing user habits, which requires education and time.
Interactive show
During the conference, the interactive space “What hides plastic?” Was also inaugurated, an exhibition that will be available for free until December 11 and which seeks to raise awareness about the problems that plastic generates in the ocean and ways in which they can be avoided. The installation consists of a sensory experience divided into several sections where each one reveals a problem associated with plastic pollution and its possible solutions.
Recall that a bill that seeks to limit single-use plastics is currently in the pipeline in the Senate, waste that is among the most found on the beaches of Chile and which due to its low economic value and high cost collection and classification, they are not recycled, so they do not enter what is known as the “circular economy”.
The Social Summit for Climate Action considers more than 150 free activities organized by civil society that will take place between December 2 and 11 at the Tío Lalo Parra Cultural Center, in the municipality of Cerrillos. The complete program can be consulted at this link.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.