Global Plastics Industry Activities to Prevent and Combat Marine Litter Up More Than 165-Percent

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 20, 2016) - Leaders from plastics organizations across the globe announced that there were approximately 260 projects planned, underway or completed as part of the Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter (Global Declaration), a public commitment by the global plastics industry to tackle plastic in the marine environment. The announcement came with the release of the plastics industry's annual progress report, which documents the various efforts underway around the world.

"As a united, global industry, we've come a long way from where we started in 2011," said Callum Chen from the Asia Plastics Forum. "Today we have active marine litter prevention programs occurring in all regions of the globe and we are continually pursuing opportunities to grow our work."

The Global Declaration was launched in March 2011 at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference by 47 plastics associations from regions across the globe. Recognizing their important role in fighting marine litter, these plastics associations have launched and are supporting projects in six key areas aimed at contributing to sustainable solutions. The six focus areas of the Global Declaration are education, research, public policy, sharing best practices, plastics recycling/recovery, and plastic pellet containment.

[Read highlight of the report in the 2016 Progress Report Executive Summary]

"We're very pleased with the continued growth in the work we're doing on marine litter," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. "Since our last report, we've increased the number of industry associations participating as part of the Global Declaration and demonstrated that, united, we can help make a difference."

"Marine litter is a complex environmental challenge that requires joint efforts at the local, regional and global level," said Karl-H. Foerster, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope. "We look forward to continue developing and executing programs that address marine litter, and work with governments, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and other stakeholders. It is critical that we have these partnerships and continue to bring additional stakeholders to the table to tackle this very serious issue."

"Whilst the majority of consumers act responsibly, a minority who do not use or dispose of their plastic products appropriately, causing negative impacts such as litter," said Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary-General, Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA). "That's why raising awareness about proper waste management and recycling is so important to us." 

Since initiating the Global Declaration, signatories have identified numerous specific actions designed to fulfill these commitments across six focus areas and have agreed to track and report progress. In 2013 the Global Declaration also became part of the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Partnership on Marine Litter. 

Today, 65 associations in 34 countries have signed on to the Global Declaration, and the 260 projects underway, planned or completed (as of December 2015), represent a nearly 165 percent increase in the number of projects since the Global Declaration's announcement.

About PlasticsEurope
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU28 member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection. More than 1.45 million people are working in 62,000 companies (mainly small and medium sized companies in the converting sector) to create a turnover above 350 bn EUR per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers - represented by PlasticsEurope, converters - represented by EuPC - and machine manufacturers - represented by EUROMAP. For further info see the web links: www.plasticseurope.org, www.plasticsconverters.eu, www.euromap.org Visit http://www.plasticseurope.org/

About the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division
The American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division represents leading companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow through plastics. Ongoing innovations from America's Plastics Makers™ have led to medical advances and safety equipment that make our lives better, healthier and safer every day. And advances in plastics are helping Americans save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease waste. Because plastics are such a valuable resource, the Plastics Division is leading efforts to "reduce, reuse, recycle and recover," including through outreach, education and access to advances in recycling technology. Visit www.plastics.americanchemistry.com.

About the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) represents the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Established in 2006, the association voices the common interests of more than 250 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95% of chemical output in the Arabian Gulf region. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing up to US$108billion worth of products a year. Visit http://www.gpca.org.ae/.