INC4 MEETING IN OTTAWA: IPEN AND TERRE ET DEVELOPMENT MOBILIZE AGAINST PLASTICS RECYCLING

The fourth meeting of experts from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee responsible for developing a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, particularly in the marine environment (INC4), will be held in Ottawa from April 23 to 29.

On this occasion, Cameroonian civil society is mobilizing. Terre et Développement, an environmental protection NGO, briefed journalists from the national press on the issues at stake at this summit, particularly on the issue of plastic recycling. The global network called the “International Pollutants Elimination Network” (IPEN) and the NGO Terre et Développement have continued to take a stand against what already appears to be an aberration in the preparatory documents for the high-level meeting of experts of INC4. In said documents, experts propose the recycling of plastic in the circular economy. Such a proposal is touted as constituting one of the measures likely to increase the elimination of plastic. However, this is not the case, if we judge by the facts proven by scientific data..

In fact, a study carried out in 2020 and which brought together 28 samples of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), from granules obtained in various regions of the world, including Cameroon, demonstrated that the transformation of plastics into granules constitutes a source of concerns. During such a transformation, the process is not healthy, as the plastic industry suggests. This study highlighted the fact that chemicals added to plastic to give it its flexibility or shine increase its toxicity. The same goes for dyes and various other adjuvants. It follows that during the process of transforming plastics into granules, chemical elements are recomposed into various substances. Anything that increases the toxicity of the plastic obtained at the end of the chain. However, these products obtained are objects of everyday use such as dishes and other jars for food use, tables, chairs, vehicle or telephone accessories, etc.

According to the results of studies conducted in 2020, 16,000 (sixteen thousand) chemicals were identified in plastic pellets. A quarter of these products have been recognized as toxic. Most of the other products identified lacked complete data on the chemical compounds and their concentration. Under these conditions, scientific surveys are not conducive to pronouncing on their degree of toxicity..

While some national and regional regulations exist regarding permitted concentrations of hazardous chemicals in plastics, less than 1% of plastic chemicals are subject to international regulation. Hence the importance of this Ottawa summit, which aims to achieve a 1st COP (Conference of Parties) and to legislate on international conventions governing the trade in plastic in all its forms around the world.. 

To date, there are no international standards requiring transparent reporting of chemicals throughout the plastics value chain or requiring comprehensive monitoring of chemicals present in materials recycled into plastic pellets. Such a situation constitutes a real time bomb in terms of the toxicity of plastic in relation to the health of individuals and the environment.

Clément Noumsi