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Plastic pollution is one of the major environmental challenges of our time, and tourism has an important role to play in contributing to the solution.

Much of the plastic used in tourism is made to be thrown away and often can’t be recycled, leading to large amounts of pollution.

of tourism is in coastal areas

Tonnes of plastic in the ocean each year, increase during tourist season.

• Each year, an additional eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans where it is responsible for the deaths of up to one million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals, marine turtles and countless fish.  
• With 80 per cent of all tourism taking place in coastal areas , plastic from the sector can be a large contributor to this pollution.
• During peak tourist season, marine litter in the Mediterranean region was found to increase by up to 40 per cent.
• In-land and urban tourism can also contribute to marine plastic pollution, with huge amounts of plastic pollution ending up in rivers and getting carried into the oceans .
• If current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050. 

The production of more than 300 million tonnes of new plastic every year also depletes natural resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

• More than 99% of plastics are derived from oil, gas and coal — all of which are dirty, non-renewable resources.  
• If current trends continue, plastic could account for 20% of the world’s total oil consumption by 2050.  
• The process of extracting, transporting and refining those fossil fuels, then manufacturing plastic, pollutes billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.
• If growth in plastic production and incineration continue, cumulative emissions by 2050 will be over 56 gigatons of CO2e, or 10–13% of the total remaining global carbon budget.  

of plastics o made from oil, gas and coal

Of tonnes of greenhouse gases. o come from making plastics, of oil consumption o could be from plastics by 2050, the global tourism plastics initiative aims to stop plastic ending up as pollution while also reducing the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced.

To realise this vision, tourism companies destinations commit to eliminate the plastic items they don’t need; innovate so all plastics they do need are designed to be safely reused, recycled, or composted; and circulate everything they use to keep it in the economy and out of the environment.

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Tourists ride a horse on Kedonganan Beach, Bali, January 27, 2019. Every year during the wet season, from November to March, trash by the ton washes ashore, earning it the nickname garbage season.

• PLANET OR PLASTIC?

Bali fights for its beautiful beaches by rethinking waste, plastic trash

From single-use plastic bans to education, Bali is digging deep to preserve its pristine reputation and save its tourism industry.

What’s the first thing about Bali that comes to mind? Likely its beautiful, pristine beaches. But beaches on the paradisiacal island in the Indonesian archipelago increasingly feature not shells, but rather, plastic trash.

Plastic waste has been piling up on Bali, fueled by a lack of infrastructure—or an official plan—to deal with it. Also contributing to bottle- and bag-strewn beaches are growing tourism, ingrained cultural practices, and a lack of awareness about the lifecycle of plastic from disposal, to sea, to washing up on beaches as trash.

In a 2015 study in Science of the top 20 countries that poorly managed plastic waste, Indonesia was listed second. The nation generated 3.2 million tonnes of plastic in 2010, and nearly half of it ended up in the sea. China was first, the United States twentieth. The Indonesian government issued numbers to National Geographic that were quite a bit lower than those in the study, but the bottom line is the same: Most plastic trash isn't managed well in Indonesia.

Bali is trying to cope with its plastic problem, and there are some shining stars in the effort. In late 2018 Balinese Governor Wayan Koster announced a ban on plastic bags, polystyrene, and plastic straws. The Indonesian government has vowed to reduce plastic marine waste by 70 percent by 2025. And the Balinese government is converting the island’s biggest landfill, the 80-acre Suwung landfill in the capital of Denpasar, to an eco-park and waste power plant .

Changing minds

Visitors often bring snacks to Tegal Wangi beach to enjoy while watching the sunset, yet often leave trash behind.

Tourists help clean up the beach at Batu Bolong.

Some Balinese are starting to take action, among them Melati and Isabel Wijsen. The teen sisters established Bye Bye Plastic Bags six years ago, when they were 12 and 10 years old. The organization has become one of the largest environmental nonprofits in Bali.

“Changing the mindset of the people is always at our core. We want to help people understand the importance of why they have to say no to plastic,” says Melati, now 18.

She said that since Bye Bye Plastic Bags began, a lot of young people in Bali have started to become more aware of the problem of plastic waste.

“Six years ago, when we went to a presentation at an elementary school with 150 students, they were all excited. But when we asked the question, is plastic good or bad? And they all said at the same time, plastic is good,” Melati says.

But now, in every classroom that they go to, she says, almost every child would say no to plastic bags. “It has become a topic that is really inserted in the daily lives of the young people,” she adds. “That’s really where the impact is for us.”

Creative solutions

Pristine mangroves are polluted with plastic trash near Tahura Ngurah Rai.

I. Gede Hendrawan, a marine scientist at Udayana University, says mangroves have become plastic waste traps in recent years.

The government’s recent ban on single-use plastic bags raised the objections of Indonesian plastic producers, who are concerned that the ban will put a damper on the plastics industry. Producers are adamant that waste management must be improved, in addition to reducing usage. The Indonesian Olefin, Aromatics, and Plastic Industry Association (INAPLAS) said the ban would also hinder efforts to come up with creative solutions for plastic waste management.

EcoBali is a company that offers such a solution. Trash separation is almost unheard of on Bali. Garbage collectors in the island usually only take household waste, and that straight to the landfill.

Paola Cannucciari, who has been living in Indonesia for over two decades, founded EcoBali in 2006. “We’re one of the pioneers of having waste separation and we only collect non-organic. As for organic, we’re hoping people will start composting, and they can use our composting system,” she says.

EcoBali collects separated non-organic waste and brings it to a sorting facility in Canggu, sending recyclable plastic to centers in Java.

Workers load plastic materials to be washed and shredded at Re>Pal Recycling facility in Pasuruan, East Java. The facility recycles plastic bags, plastic wraps, and some food packaging into plastic pallets that can hold up to a ton.

A freshly molded plastic pallet is inspected at Re>Pal Recycling facility. Re>Pal handles 10,000 tonnes of plastics per year, 240 tonnes of which come from Bali.

Avani Eco brings nature into the picture. Founder Kevin Kumala has developed a biodegradable plastic bag, food packaging, and straw made of cassava, a starchy root vegetable that can be turned into an alternative to plastic. Kumala claims his product is water soluble, non-toxic, and compostable.

“I truly believe there are more Rs than just reduce, reuse, recycle,” he says. “There’s also repurpose and replace. If we stick to the notion of 3R, it’s not enough.”

“For this country to escape from this plastic epidemic, we need to be more creative in offering solutions,” Kumala says.

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Marine plastic pollution

• Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year for use in a wide variety of applications.
• At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up  80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.
• Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris , which causes severe injuries and death.
• Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change .
• There is an urgent need for a global plastics treaty that directly addresses plastic pollution’s impact on biodiversity.

What is the issue ? 

Plastic is a synthetic organic polymer made from petroleum with properties ideally suited for a wide variety of applications including: packaging, building and construction, household and sports equipment, vehicles, electronics and agriculture. Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, half of which is used to create single-use items such as shopping bags, cups and straws. If discarded improperly, plastic waste can harm the environment and biodiversity.

At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year . Plastic debris is currently the most abundant type of litter in the ocean, making up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments . Plastic is found on the shorelines of every continent, with more plastic waste found near popular tourist destinations and densely populated areas.

The main sources of plastic debris found in the ocean are land-based , coming from urban and stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, littering, inadequate waste disposal and management, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction and illegal dumping. Ocean-based plastic pollution originates primarily from the fishing industry, nautical activities and aquaculture.

Under the influence of solar UV radiation, wind, currents and other natural factors, plastic breaks down into small particles called microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm). The small size makes them easy for marine life to ingest accidentally.

Many countries lack the infrastructure to prevent plastic pollution such as: sanitary landfills; incineration facilities; recycling capacity and circular economy infrastructure; proper management and disposal of waste systems. This leads to ‘plastic leakage’ into rivers and the ocean. The legal and illegal global trade of plastic waste may also damage ecosystems , where waste management systems are not sufficient to contain plastic waste.

Plastic pollution is found in all areas of the ocean and in marine organisms.

Why is it important ?

Plastic pollution is a widespread problem affecting the marine environment. It threatens ocean health, the health of marine species, food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.

Impacts on marine ecosystems

The most visible impacts of plastic debris are the ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species. Marine wildlife such as seabirds, whales, fish and turtles mistake plastic waste for prey; most then die of starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic. They also suffer from lacerations, infections, reduced ability to swim, and internal injuries. Floating plastics also help transport invasive marine species, thereby threatening marine biodiversity and the food web.

Impacts on food and human health

Microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, salt and are present in all samples collected in the world’s oceans, including the Arctic. Several chemicals used in the production of plastic materials are known to be carcinogenic and to interfere with the body’s endocrine system, causing developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders in both humans and wildlife. Recently, microplastics were found in human placentas but more research is needed to determine if this is a widespread problem.

Toxic contaminants also accumulate on the surface of plastic as a result of prolonged exposure to seawater. When marine organisms ingest plastic debris, these contaminants enter their digestive systems, and over time accumulate in the food web. The transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans through consumption of seafood has been identified as a health hazard, and research is ongoing.

Impacts on tourism

Plastic waste damages the aesthetic value of tourist destinations, leading to decreased income from tourism. It also generates major economic costs related to the cleaning and maintenance of the sites. The build-up of plastic litter on beaches can have a negative impact on a country’s economy, wildlife, and the physical and psychological wellbeing of people.

Impacts on climate change

Plastic production contributes to climate change. If plastic waste is incinerated, it releases carbon dioxide and methane (from landfills) into the atmosphere, thereby increasing emissions.

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for action to ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’ (Goal 14) and ‘By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution’ (Target 14.1).

What can be done?

Despite positive efforts from countries to tackle elements of plastic pollution, such as bans on certain forms of single-use plastics, a global plastics treaty is essential because plastic pollution is transboundary and a main driver of biodiversity loss . The protection and restoration of biodiversity, and nature per se , must be incorporated in the legally binding control measures and enforcement terms of the future treaty.

Regional and national governments should also explore national legislative frameworks on Extended Producer Responsibility . These are emerging as innovative, low-cost solutions, as are policies to promote circular economies.

Governments, research institutions and industries need to work collaboratively to redesign products , and rethink their use and disposal to reduce microplastic waste from pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres. Consumers and society must shift to more sustainable consumption patterns . This will require solutions which go beyond waste management and consider the whole lifecycle of plastic products; from design to infrastructure, and household use.

More funding for research and innovation should be made available to provide policymakers, manufacturers and consumers with the evidence needed to implement technological, behavioural and policy solutions to address marine plastic pollution.

Methodologies to identify, measure and address marine plastic pollution sources and plastic leakage are available, including from IUCN.

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IUCN publications on marine plastic pollution

IUCN statement and proposed text for inclusion of biodiversity protection in the plastics treaty

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Polluting rivers, beaches and the ocean: How can Trinidad solve its plastics problem?

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Plastic pollution blocks rivers, chokes oceans and makes its way into the food chain as microplastics. It’s a global environmental crisis, and Small Island Developing States are especially vulnerable, having to cope with detritus washing up on their beaches, as well as the waste they generate themselves. 

The Maraval river winds its way through Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad & Tobago, reaching the sea at Invaders Bay, the evocative name of the site where British troops landed in the late 18 th Century. 

Today, the area is heavily built up, and construction has begun on a large-scale project that is expected to see hotels, housing and shops spring up on the oceanfront. Another by-product of development is plastic pollution; on the day that UN News went to the Maraval River, a steady stream of waste could be seen floating downstream, including water bottles, detergent containers and even a discarded yoga ball aimlessly bobbing around.

Countries like Trinidad are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution. They are heavily dependent on imports and receive tonnes of plastic every day. In Trinidad alone, around 129,000 metric tonnes of plastic are brought into the country every year. 

Trinidad has limited resources to treat the waste, which directly affects tourism and fishing, two important elements of the country’s economy; tourists don’t want to relax on beaches covered in waste, and marine litter can damage fish stocks and boats. 

Coastal communities can suffer from reduced income and employment while shouldering clean-up operation costs. On top of that, there’s an increased risk of flooding due to blocked stormwater systems and drainage, meaning higher clean-up costs, and increased maintenance for water infrastructure.

From bust to boom

Dealing with the problem might appear to be an overwhelming task, but in Trinidad, the UN is working with local organizations to not only collect the waste, but also find ways to reuse it in ways that benefit local communities.

At Invaders Bay, a group of volunteers from environmental consulting firm Coastal Dynamics have stretched a boom across both banks of the Maraval River. This traps most of the detritus and stops it from reaching the ocean. In just one week, hundreds of plastic items are pushed up against the boom, almost enough to reach both sides of the river, a visually arresting indicator of the amount of waste that is pouring down Trinidad’s waterways on a daily basis.

“The Maraval is a thoroughfare of plastic,” said Frank Teelucksingh, a Trinidadian oceanographer and the director of Coastal Dynamics. “This is just one example. During the wet season, the rain washes all the plastic off the land, into the rivers and then the sea. There are dozens and dozens of rivers in Trinidad, and they don’t yet have booms stopping the plastic from flowing into the ocean”.

Mr. Teelucksingh explained that the pilot project, which receives funding from the UN’s Green Environment Fund, also has an educational aspect, in a country where, he says, the population doesn’t trust the water from the tap, and doesn’t have a history of responsibly disposing water bottles and other waste. Mr. Teelucksingh is in discussion with the government and UN to scale up the project to many more of Trinidad’s rivers. 

But, whilst this might remove the plastic out of the water, it won’t solve the wider problem: Only around 10 per cent of plastic in Trinidad is recycled, and the remaining 90 per cent is discarded either in landfills, waterways or elsewhere in the environment. 

The UN in Trinidad is attempting to make a dent in these stark figures, by developing upcycling projects that involve collecting discarded waste, and turning it into useful products that can benefit local communities and the country at large. 

A concrete solution

In the village of Kernaham, a farming community on the east coast of Trinidad, UN News met Sharda Mahabir, an environmental expert at the UN Development Program ( UNDP ) in Trinidad and Tobago, beside a greenhouse which appeared to be made of wood. In fact, it is constructed entirely of waste plastic.

“Plastic lumber is made of all kinds of waste, including high density plastic like bleach bottles, fabric softener bottles, and plastic bags,” explained Ms. Mahabir. “We combine all of these different types of plastics into an extruded product, which looks like wood”.

The lumber is made at a factory in Arima, near Port of Spain, where sacks of plastic are taken to large shredders to be cut into multi-coloured pieces, the size of breakfast cereal. The raw materials are mostly containers made from types of plastic that can’t be recycled and, therefore, have no commercial value. Many other types of plastic, such as industrial sheeting, and even car interiors, are also stacked up, ready to be broken down, melted, and converted into strong and durable building materials that have been turned into a range of products, such as benches, tables, and window frames.

Ms. Mahabir was keen to demonstrate another way to use the shredded material and prevent it from adding to the microplastic pandemic: concrete. She introduced UN News to  members of a group for vulnerable women in Kernaham, who were adding shredded plastic to gravel, to bind together sand and water and create “sequestered concrete” as a way of trapping plastic, and removing it from the environment.

“The women collect plastics on the beach and from their own communities, and then process them in such a way that they can make products out of it,” said Ms. Mahabir. “They're making plant pots, benches and pavers. As well as the environmental benefits, they are creating extra income for themselves”.

“I started this group because of the poverty level in my community,” explained Omatie Rampersad, the President of the Kernaham/Cascadoux Women’s Group. “We also have a lot of plastic pollution in the area, it goes into the streams, causes flooding and, when we burn it, it pollutes the air. 

We want to have a clean environment, and we want to empower women by helping them to become financially sustainable. We also want to educate our people and the surrounding communities on how to dispose of plastics properly. We are trying our best to show the whole country how we can deal with this problem.”

An international plastics treaty

From 23 to 29 April, delegates from around the world are meeting in Ottawa, Canada, to continue negotiations on the development of a legally binding agreement that will bring the international community closer to finally being able to get to grips with plastic pollution, particularly in the marine environment.

Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, Inger Andersen, the head of the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP ), expressed her hope that the talks will lead to a reduction in the production of problematic waste, and more investment in solid waste management and recycling.

Ms. Mahabir agreed with these aims and added that, on top of education, more research and development investment is needed to create alternatives to the kinds of plastics that are ubiquitous in most societies.

“Maybe there's some plant, some tropical tree or fruit that could be converted into a biodegradable plastic. We want to encourage the younger generation to consider taking up the sciences that are required to develop these potential alternatives. 

Until then, we have to find ways to deal with the problem, and this is what our programmes are addressing. We also need to address the economic angle; there's a lot of unemployment in Trinidad, and we want to see if upcycling can generate jobs. Every piece of furniture built in the plastic lumber factory has been sold, helping to support more livelihoods. I hope that an agreement can be reached in Ottawa, one that encourages the private sector to invest more in recycling, and funds ways to effectively clean up and capture plastic waste pollution”.

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The (In)Visible Plastic Pollution Problem

Waterpact project to quantify and reduce plastic waste in us rivers.

NREL researchers Ali Chamas (left) and Clarissa Lincoln (right) use tweezers to remove plastic debris from samples from the Delaware River for analysis. The WaterPACT project is investigating plastic pollution in U.S. rivers.  Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

Rivers are nature’s highways, supplying nearby areas with life-sustaining water, nutrients, and biodiversity on their journeys to larger bodies of water. These days, however, they are far from pristine. A harmful substance is making its way down rivers and into oceans around the world: plastic debris.

In the United States, more than a million tons of plastic debris enters ocean-bound rivers, creeks, and sewer drains every year. Today’s waterborne plastics debris consists mostly of discarded textiles, electronics, construction materials, single-use packaging, and other waste. The result is a complex plastic pollution problem with broad scope, significant challenges, and emerging solutions.

“Rivers are a delicate ecosystem that we depend on. By targeting plastic pollution in rivers, we can intercept it before it profoundly affects our ecosystems, communities, or the ocean,” said Ben Maurer, principal investigator of the Waterborne Plastics Assessment and Collection Technologies (WaterPACT) project.

The WaterPACT project is led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) . WaterPACT is on a mission to develop renewable-energy-powered technologies to detect, quantify, and collect plastic from U.S. waterways. With collaboration from researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the NREL-led Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment  (BOTTLE) consortium, and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, the WaterPACT project aims to reduce the volume of plastic currently entering the ocean annually via U.S. waterways by more than half by 2040.

“Our hope is to understand the problem enough to do something about it,” Maurer said. “We don’t have the perfect solution yet, but waiting for perfect is pointless. We know enough today to make fewer mistakes moving forward and to start developing solutions, both upstream and downstream.”

Sizing Up the Plastic Pollution Problem

WaterPACT scientists realized early in their research that data on the types and concentrations of plastics in U.S. rivers did not exist on a comprehensive, national scale. In fact, there was no established methodology for gathering or analyzing plastic waste. So began a series of innovations to evaluate the scope of the plastic pollution problem.

“It’s exciting to feel like we’re at the forefront of a growing field,” said Clarissa Lincoln, a research technician at NREL. “We try to keep in mind that when things don’t work, we’re still gathering useful information. We’re hopeful that having a better understanding of what strategies are not the most efficient or the most accurate will save other researchers time down the road.”

WaterPACT partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, Louisiana State University, University of California Riverside, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the Moore Institute to collect plastic and water samples just upstream of where the Columbia, Delaware, Los Angeles, and Mississippi rivers each meet the ocean.

“Our goal right now is to better understand how plastic pollution flows through U.S. riverside communities and can eventually enter the ocean,” Lincoln said.

The WaterPACT research team collected plastic and water samples near the mouths of the Columbia, Delaware, Los Angeles, and Mississippi rivers. Each river has a unique watershed (the area of land that drains water to it) and volume of plastics emissions.  Illustration by Elizabeth Stone, NREL

“There is a tremendous amount of plastics in the samples we collected,” said Ali Chamas, reflecting on his field work on the Los Angeles River in 2023. Chamas is a chemical engineering postdoctoral researcher at NREL in his third year with the WaterPACT project. “My main objective is to help the community and general public understand the scale of this problem. I'm hopeful that this will stir some development or interest in the area and lead to more people working to combat this.”

“This evaluation phase will allow us to understand the greater costs of plastic waste on the environment, communities, and human health,” Maurer said. “The benefits of cleaning up these rivers could be enormous, from reclaiming the resources in plastic waste to improving tourism and recreation. Once we understand the scope of the problem, we want to develop sensors and collectors powered by river energy that address the giant data and engineering gaps that currently exist in cleaning up waterways. Then, we can get our technologies into the hands of people who can begin to remediate the pollution.”

The Visible Plastic Pollution Problem

Once collection was complete, the samples were shipped to NREL in Golden, Colorado, where the research team began the arduous task of processing them for analysis. While larger and more colorful pieces of plastic were easy to spot by eye, the murkier contents of the samples made the process of identifying smaller and less colorful particles difficult.

Relatively large and colorful plastic pieces were found in samples collected using nets from the Delaware River.  Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

“We were trying to collect plastic, but as you can imagine, a lot of other things end up in the net as well,” Lincoln explained. “Our net samples largely consist of biological materials like algae, leaves, and sticks. We were initially sorting everything by hand, which made it really difficult to differentiate the plastic from all the other gunk we picked up.”

To solve this dilemma, the team developed a clever, two-step biological digestion process that removed the plant material but left the plastic intact for analysis.

A sample containing biological materials and plastics (left); the sample after undergoing Fenton’s digestion (center); and the remaining plastic after bleach digestion and hand sorting (right).  Photos by Ali Chamas, NREL

Researchers rinsed the samples before beginning an oxidation process with Fenton’s reagent, a solution of iron sulfate and hydrogen peroxide. The samples were then filtered before undergoing a second digestion using bleach.

“After the digestion, we do most of our hand sorting,” Lincoln said. “We’ve found it easiest to take really small amounts of this digested material, like a pinch smaller than the size of a pencil eraser, put it in a petri dish, and add water. This allows us to disperse the material so that the pieces don’t overlap. ”

Now, with a clear view of the plastic from their samples, researchers could develop procedures for categorizing the plastics by structure, size, and shape. 

For example, the researchers found the established method for analyzing the chemical structure of plastic samples—attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR)—to be unnecessarily time consuming. Furthermore, the ATR crystal used to direct light to the sample for analysis could destroy certain weathered samples. So, WaterPACT researchers developed a faster and gentler technique using microplate readers and a new particle holder, detailed in their Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry paper, “ Generation of macro- and microplastic databases by high-throughput FTIR analysis with microplate readers .”

After performing digestions and hand sorting, WaterPACT researchers identified large pieces of plastic from samples using categories like structure, size, and shape.  Illustration by Elizabeth Stone, NREL

The 'Invisible' Plastic Pollution Problem

Large pieces of plastic were not the only pollutant researchers discovered. As plastic waste is exposed to erosion from the environment and radiation from the sun on its river voyage, it sheds tiny particles—less than 5 millimeters wide—called microplastics. WaterPACT researchers observed microplastics in net and water samples from all four rivers.

“Among the myriad environmental ramifications stemming from plastic waste, microplastic pollution stands out as particularly enduring,” said Kat Knauer, chief technology officer of BOTTLE and polymer scientist at NREL. “We are finding microplastics virtually everywhere, including in our own bodies, and we do not yet understand the long-term health and environmental effects of these pollutants. We just know they shouldn’t be there.”

Clarissa Lincoln uses tweezers to hold up a piece of green microplastic found in a sample from the Delaware River.  Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

To process the water samples for analysis, the team used a one-step Fenton’s digestion process to gently reduce biomaterial. Researchers then filtered the samples and used a µFTIR microscope—a smaller version of the FTIR microscope used earlier on larger plastic pieces—to examine them.

“There has been plenty of work on microplastics in the last decade or so, but there hasn't been an agreed-upon method to quantify the plastics,” Chamas said. “One of the things we're developing is a standardized methodology for analyzing microplastics for a couple different types of sampling methods.”

The resulting methodology involves analyzing the water samples for additives, degradation products, manufacturing byproducts, and vector chemicals like pesticides and pharmaceuticals carried by plastic particles.

Ali Chamas and Clarissa Lincoln examine particles in a sample from the Delaware River using a µFTIR microscope.  Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

The Plastic Pollution Solution

While WaterPACT is determined to remove plastic pollution from U.S. waterways, BOTTLE is building on their research to prevent plastics from becoming pollution in the first place.

In the latest episode of Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, NREL researchers Nic Rorrer and Julia Curley discuss the environmental impacts of plastics and NREL’s pivotal role in finding sustainable solutions.

“We need to create a circular economy model for the plastic industry, which by extension would reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills and our environment,” Knauer said. “Furthermore, we need to view plastics as a major target for decarbonization. We currently use 6% of all fossil fuels in the production of plastics—which, on a global scale, is very significant—and this is expected to approach 20% by the year 2050. Beyond that, plastic production, use, and disposal accounts for nearly 4% of our global greenhouse gas emissions.”

BOTTLE is approaching the problem from two sides: creating new recycling solutions to reclaim the finite resources in today’s highly contaminated, mixed-plastic waste and redesigning plastics to improve their recyclability.

WaterPACT and BOTTLE researchers are working together to keep excess materials lost during plastic development from ending up in landfills or the environment.  Illustration by Elizabeth Stone, NREL

“By implementing more effective recycling tools in our supply chains, we will start to see plastics as valuable resources and not just something that is disposable and easily lost,” Knauer said. “By redesigning plastics, we will improve end-of-life recyclability and valorize plastic waste, which by extension would limit the amount of plastic lost to the natural world.”

Together, BOTTLE’s upstream approach and WaterPACT’s downstream approach to addressing the plastic pollution problem will enable a better future for humanity and our environment.

WaterPACT was initially funded by a small grant from DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and is currently funded in part by WPTO. BOTTLE is funded by BETO and DOE’s Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office.

Plastic Pollution

By Hannah Ritchie, Veronika Samborska and Max Roser

Plastic production has sharply increased over the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just two million tonnes. It now produces over 450 million tonnes.

Plastic has added much value to our lives: it’s a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging.

However, when plastic waste is mismanaged – not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills – it becomes an environmental pollutant. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Improving the management of plastic waste across the world – especially in poorer countries, where most of the ocean plastics come from – is therefore critical to tackling this problem.

On this page, you can find all of our data, visualizations, and writing on plastic pollution.

You can also find a summary of this material in our slide deck .

Key Insights on Plastic Pollution

Plastic production has more than doubled in the last two decades.

The first synthetic plastic – Bakelite – was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry.

However, rapid growth in global plastic production didn’t happen until the 1950s. Over the next 70 years, however, annual production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold to 460 million tonnes in 2019.

Even just in the last two decades, global plastic production has doubled.

Around 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean

The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year.

Estimates vary, but recent high-quality studies suggest that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. 1

That means 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean.

The chart shows that around one-quarter of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills. This makes it vulnerable to polluting the environment.

As shown in the chart, some of this is leaked to the environment; a further fraction makes its way to the ocean.

The probability that mismanaged plastic waste enters the ocean varies a lot across the world, depending on factors such as the location and length of river systems, proximity to coastlines, terrain, and precipitation patterns.

What you should know about this data

• This data comes from the OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook. 2
• The model first uses estimates of the influx of plastics into natural environments based on widely-used metrics such as population density, GDP per capita, waste statistics, terrain and distances from rivers and coastlines.
• It then tries to model the transport and movement of plastics in these environments based on the density of plastics, and what is know about how they behave (for example, denser plastic tends to sink, whereas lighter plastics are buoyant and move towards the ocean).
• The uncertainties around these estimates are large. However, previous studies have found similar results, suggesting that around 1 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. 3 Earlier estimates were as high at 8 million tonnes.

Most ocean plastics today come from middle-income countries

Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person.

But what’s most important for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills. Mismanagement means it’s at risk of leaking to the environment.

Mismanaged waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. This is because these countries tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure.

As is shown in the chart, most plastic flowing into the ocean today comes from middle-income countries – particularly across Asia. 4

Where does the plastic in our oceans come from?

Which countries and rivers emit the most plastic to the ocean? What does this mean for solutions to tackle plastic pollution?

• This data comes from the study by Lourens Meijer et al. (2021), which uses updated methods to estimate national and regional plastic inputs to the ocean. 5
• It combines estimates of mismanaged waste with high-resolution mapping of factors such as terrain, winds, precipitation, and river patterns to estimate how likely mismanaged waste is to be carried from rivers to the ocean.
• Previous studies have given similar regional estimates. A 2017 study estimated that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. 6

Only a small share of plastic gets recycled

While we might think that much of the world’s plastic waste is recycled, only 9% is.

Half of the world’s plastic still goes straight to landfill. Another fifth is mismanaged – meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills – putting it at risk of being leaked into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

This chart gives the breakdown of waste management strategies across regions.

Waste management varies greatly: incineration is high in Europe, while three-quarters of plastics in the United States go to landfills.

Better waste management is key to ending plastic pollution

Improving waste management strategies is crucial to ending plastic pollution.

It is a solvable problem, and making a difference here would do much more to reduce plastic pollution than even considerably reducing plastic production. Even if the world used half as much, we’d still have significant amounts of plastic flowing into our rivers and oceans.

To end plastic pollution, waste needs to be adequately managed. Around one-fifth of plastics are still mismanaged, meaning they are not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills.

The amount of mismanaged plastic waste varies across the world but tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. This is shown in the chart in per capita terms.

Domestic policies to improve waste management will be crucial, but richer countries can also contribute through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure.

Explore Data on Plastic Pollution

Research & writing.

How much plastic waste ends up in the ocean?

Around 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. Most of it stays close to the shoreline.

Hannah Ritchie

Ocean plastics: How much do rich countries contribute by shipping their waste overseas?

Many countries ship plastic waste overseas. How much of the world’s waste is traded, and how big is its role in the pollution of our oceans?

More Key Articles on Plastic Pollution

How much of global greenhouse gas emissions come from plastics, most plastic in the great pacific garbage patch comes from the fishing industry, interactive charts on plastic pollution.

OECD (2022), Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/de747aef-en.

Meijer, L. J., Van Emmerik, T., Van Der Ent, R., Schmidt, C., & Lebreton, L. (2021). More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean. Science Advances, 7(18), eaaz5803.

But this was not always the case: richer countries have been polluting the oceans for longer periods. If we look at accumulated stocks of plastics in the ocean, higher-income countries across Europe and North America play a larger role than they do today.

Meijer, L. J., Van Emmerik, T., Van Der Ent, R., Schmidt, C., & Lebreton, L. (2021). More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean. Science Advances, 7(18).

Lebreton, L. C., Van der Zwet, J., Damsteeg, J. W., Slat, B., Andrady, A., & Reisser, J. (2017). River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans. Nature Communications, 8, 15611.

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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Launch of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

• All Regions

During the event, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative was officially announced. Representatives from lead organisations presented the operational structure of the initiative and key stakeholders from the tourism sector explained the co-creation process of the menu of commitments. At the same time, leading businesses, destinations and associations explained why it is important to engage with the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

From the Launch Event, accommodation businesses and destinations can join the initiative and become signatories. Their respective “signatory packs” are available online here . Companies representing other segments of the tourism value chain such as airlines, tour operators, cruises as well as associations and NGOs, were cordially invited to join the co-creation process of their specific commitments.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative aims to articulate, support and scale-up action by tourism stakeholders and is building a global alliance to fight plastic pollution. As part of the activities of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, the Initiative is led by UN Environment and UNWTO in collaboration with Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Recognizing the global importance of the tourism sector and its role as an agent of change, the Initiative will support partner organizations in making better use of plastics in their operations and reducing plastic waste. In particular, action towards 2025 is being structured through the development of a menu of commitments for private sector, destinations and associations to define concrete roadmaps for implementation by 2025.

Related links:

• Register for the event
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• Initiative Welcomes 32 Signatories and Releases LCA Research

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unwto tourism highlights 2022

Un tourism | bringing the world closer.

Unwto 2021: a year in review, 2021: tourism united, resilient and determined.

2021 has been a year of learning and adapting for tourism. It has proven that only by working together can the sector overcome challenges and embrace opportunities.

Gathering the global tourism community and developing concrete actions, UNWTO has led tourism’s response with the vision of not only restarting, but doing so in a more inclusive, innovative and sustainable way.

January - March

As global tourism faced up to a second year of unprecedented crisis , UNWTO began 2021 by counting the cost so far . At the same time, however, the emergence of vaccines brought hope . The Global Tourism Crisis Committee met to explore what this meant for safe travel and the restart of tourism, while the announcement of the winners of the UNWTO Global Start-up Competition recognized the role culture and creativity will play in tourism’s restart and recovery .  

April - June

Collaboration and innovation were the focusat the start of the second quarter. UNWTO partnered with IATA on a new Destination Tracker to give both tourists and destinations clear, impartial and trusted advice. And a new Start-up Competition was launched to find the best ideas for accelerating rural development through tourism. In May, the launch of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO generated significant interest from Members in every global region. 

July - September

As destinations in Europe welcomed tourists back for the peak summer season, UNWTO highlighted the role of  digital solutions for the safe restart of the sector. But UNWTO also looked ahead, to a more sustainable future , working with key partners to  reduce plastic waste and consumption across every part of the sector. Together, we celebrated World Tourism Day around the theme of Tourism for Inclusive Growth, a message of solidarity and determination that was echoed on a global scale.

October - December

The final quarter of 2021 began with cautious optimism as UNWTO’s Barometer showed signs of improvement in tourist arrival numbers during the summer season in the northern hemisphere. A new partnership with Netflix will bring the message of tourism as a driver of opportunity to a massive global audience, while in November, UNWTO was tourism’s voice at COP26 and signatories to the landmark Glasgow Declaration keep growing. Finally, against the backdrop of the UNWTO General Assembly , the programme of work for the coming biennium was approved and 77% of Members voted to secure a second mandate for the Secretary-General from 2022-2025.

Growing and Moving Forward

UNWTO brings together political leaders from across the globe to deliver a strong, coordinated response. Governments, destinations, fellow UN agencies and international organizations met at key international events joining efforts to rethink tourism. Institutional coordination has proven crucial to find the solutions that build a smarter, greener and safer tourism.

Leaving Nobody Behind

The pledge to ‘ leave nobody behind ’ means nobody should miss out : Not now as we support the sector in the face of crisis, and not in the future as tourism starts again. Tourism is a proven driver of equality and opportunity. And that’s why we turn words into actions, delivering guidelines and action plans , to ensure everyone can enjoy the opportunities tourism brings.

A Shared Vision

Advancing the transformation of the tourism sector , partnerships are the only way forward. In 2021, UNWTO signed agreements with international organizations and the private sector to step our vision for the future of tourism: innovation , education , sustainability , green investment , rural development.

From business as usual to Covid-19

Looking to the future

• Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (RSOAP)
• Member States in Asia and the Pacific
• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OBSERVATORIES (INSTO)

World Tourism Barometer: September 2022

UNWTO updates World Tourism Barometer and reports international tourism back to 60% of pre-pandemic levels from January to July 2022

Below are excerpts from the September 2022 release of the UNWTO Tourism Barometer :

• The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel, especially in the months of June and July which are part of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The easing or lifting of travel restrictions in an increasing number of countries also contributed to boost results.
• International tourist arrivals almost tripled (+172%) in January-July 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. Numbers climbed from -64% in January 2022 (versus 2019) to -28% in July, the strongest month since the start of the pandemic.
• Asia and the Pacific (+165%) saw arrivals more than double in the first seven months of 2022, though they remained 86% below 2019 levels.
• The ongoing recovery can also be seen in outbound tourism spending from major source markets. Expenditure from France was at -12% in January-July 2022 compared to 2019 while spending from Germany stood at -14%. International tourism spending remained at -10% in Belgium, -23% in Italy and -26% in the United States.
• The uncertain economic environment seems to have reversed prospects for a return to pre-pandemic levels in the near term. 61% of UNWTO Panel of Experts now see a potential return of international arrivals to 2019 levels in 2024 or later while those indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 has diminished (27%) compared to the May survey (48%).

Know more about the global tourism sector performance from January to July 2022 by checking the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Volume 20, Issue 5 .

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TOURISM TRENDS 2022

11 Aug TOURISM TRENDS 2022

The situation for tourism remains rather unusual as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis has marked a significant change for everyone, and above all for tourism, one of sectors hit hardest by the virus. 2020 was the year in which international tourism came to a near-complete standstill, and the only alternatives were domestic and local tourism.

2021 has seen some improvements, but only in a very subtle way as restrictions are still in place and many countries keep their borders fully or partially closed.

It is difficult to make an estimate for 2022 as it is not known how the pandemic will evolve. However, it is possible to talk about the new tourism trends that are likely to emerge over the coming year: – International travel with restrictions still maintained by both destinations and airlines in order to offer 100% security to the consumer.

– Reinforcement of COVID-19 testing; two years after the pandemic, COVID testing will still be in place as a preventive measure. – Conscious travel will be advocated. Travel to more distant destinations, but with prolonged durations of stay, as consumers look to enjoy as much of each place they visit as possible. – Green travel. Climate change is a problem that is present and growing. Consumers now are much more responsible and aware of the reality they live in on daily basis.

– A new trend is the “ed-ventures”. It is about combining education and holidays for the youngest members of the family. While adults may need to telework or attend meetings, their children can be doing workshops and learning in a playful way.

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Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO (Russia)

In 1993 "Elektrostal" was transformed into an open joint stock company. The factory occupies a leading position among the manufacturers of high quality steel. The plant is a producer of high-temperature nickel alloys in a wide variety. It has a unique set of metallurgical equipment: open induction and arc furnaces, furnace steel processing unit, vacuum induction, vacuum- arc furnaces and others. The factory has implemented and certified quality management system ISO 9000, received international certificates for all products. Elektrostal today is a major supplier in Russia starting blanks for the production of blades, discs and rolls for gas turbine engines. Among them are companies in the aerospace industry, defense plants, and energy complex, automotive, mechanical engineering and instrument-making plants.

Headquarters Ulitsa Zheleznodorozhnaya, 1 Elektrostal; Moscow Oblast; Postal Code: 144002

Contact Details: Purchase the Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO report to view the information.

Website: http://elsteel.ru

EMIS company profiles are part of a larger information service which combines company, industry and country data and analysis for over 145 emerging markets.

To view more information, Request a demonstration of the EMIS service

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

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2022 has been the year to rethink tourism. Countries around the world turned UNWTO's vision for a greener, smarter and more inclusive sector into real action. 2020 showed the relevance of tourism for sustainable development. 2021 laid the foundations for the transformation of the sector. In 2022, we made it happen. 2022 began on a positive note.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism saw a strong rebound in the first five months of 2022, with almost 250 million international arrivals recorded. This compares to 77 million arrivals from January to May 2021 and means that the sector has recovered almost half (46%) of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. UN ...

International Tourism Highlights, 2023 Edition - The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism (2020-2022) ISBN (printed version): 978-92-844-2497-9 ISBN (electronic version): 978-92-844-2498-6 DOI: 10.18111/9789284424986 Published by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Madrid, Spain First published: September 2023 Revised and updated: October 2023

Find out the latest updates from the UNWTO on tourism trends, challenges and opportunities in 2022 and beyond. Learn about the UNWTO's activities, projects and partnerships in various regions and topics, such as sustainable tourism, gastronomy, investment and education.

International Tourism and COVID-19. Export revenues from international tourism dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 34% below pre-pandemic levels. The total loss in export revenues from tourism amounts to USD 2.6 trillion for that three-year period. Go to Dashboard.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals almost tripled in January to July 2022 (+172%) compared to the same period of 2021. This means t he sector recovered almost 60% of pre-pandemic levels. The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel as well as the easing or lifting ...

The time is now to seize this opportunity to rethink how we do tourism. The official World Tourism Day celebration will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on 27 September, highlighting the shift towards tourism being recognized as a crucial pillar of development. Wonderful Indonesia - Witness the 42nd World Tourism Day 2022 in Bali, Indonesia!

In terms of tourist numbers, the year 2022 is expected to close with over 900 million international arrivals, despite growing challenges pointing to a softening of the recovery pace. International tourist arrivals: 2020, 2021 and Scenarios for 2022 (monthly change over 2019,%) Source UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: November 2022 Press Release.

January - March. As global tourism faced up to a second year of unprecedented crisis, UNWTO began 2021 by counting the cost so far.At the same time, however, the emergence of vaccines brought hope.The Global Tourism Crisis Committee met to explore what this meant for safe travel and the restart of tourism, while the announcement of the winners of the UNWTO Global Start-up Competition ...

Below are excerpts from the latest World Tourism Barometer May 2022 issue: According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism saw a 182% year-on-year increase in January-March 2022, with destinations worldwide welcoming an estimated 117 million international arrivals compared to 41 million in Q1 2021.

The UNWTO Elibrary is an online service from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with a broad coverage of tourism and related subject areas. ... International Tourism Highlights, 2023 Edition - The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism (2020-2022) Revised and updated, October 2023. Released: December 2023.

The 7th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will be held from Monday, December 12 to Thursday, December 15, 2022 (4 days).

The economic contribution of tourism (tourism direct gross domestic product) is estimated at US$1.9 trillion in 2021, above the US$1.6 trillion in 2020, but still well below the pre-pandemic value of US$ 3.5 trillion. The latest UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that 61% of tourism professionals expect better performance in 2022 than in 2021.

Below are relevant points to the July 2022 World Tourism Barometer: Nearly 250 million international trips were recorded worldwide in the first five months of the year, more than three times the number of arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021 (77 million). Robust performance is also reflected in hotel occupancy rates.

2022-10-28. Below are excerpts from the September 2022 release of the UNWTO Tourism Barometer: The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel, especially in the months of June and July which are part of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The easing or lifting of travel restrictions in an increasing number of ...

International tourism continues to outpace the global economy. 2. Driven by a relatively strong global economy, a growing middle class in emerging economies, technological advances, new business models, affordable travel costs and visa facilitation, international tourist arrivals grew 5% in 2018 to reach the 1.4 billion mark.

UNWTO Tourism Academy | TOURISM TRENDS 2022. The situation for tourism remains rather unusual as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has marked a significant change for everyone, and above all for tourism, one of sectors hit hardest by the virus. 2020 was the year in which international tourism came to a near-complete ...

International Tourism Highlights, 2023 Edition - The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism (2020-2022) Revised and updated, October 2023 Published: December 2023 Pages: 32

International Tourism Highlights, 2020 Edition. Published: January 2021 Pages: 23. eISBN: 978-92-844-2245-6 | ISBN: 978-92-844-2244-9. Abstract: 2019 was another year of strong growth, though international arrivals grew below the exceptional rates seen in 2017 (+7%) and 2018 (+6%). Demand was somewhat weaker for travel to advanced economy ...

Main Activities: Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding. Full name: Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO Profile Updated: February 22, 2024. Buy our report for this company USD 29.95 Most recent financial data: 2022 Available in: English & Russian ...

40 Facts About Elektrostal. Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to ...

Catalysis Conference is a networking event covering all topics in catalysis, chemistry, chemical engineering and technology during October 19-21, 2017 in Las Vegas, USA. Well noted as well attended meeting among all other annual catalysis conferences 2018, chemical engineering conferences 2018 and chemistry webinars.

In the city of Elektrostal in Russia, a drone attack occurred. It's reported that no one was injured as a result of the incident. Additional details, including the particulars of the attack, potential motives or responsible parties, have not been provided. However, the fact that a drone was used as a means of attack underscores

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Talks for a plastic pollution treaty are stalling. Could the U.S. be doing more?

Michael Copley

Plastic waste and garbage are seen at a beach in Panama. LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Plastic waste and garbage are seen at a beach in Panama.

Negotiators from about 175 countries have been sparring for more than a year over a treaty to clean up plastic pollution that's choking rivers and piling up in landfills. As a critical new round of deliberations starts this week in Canada, the talks are floundering.

Some scientists and civil society groups say the United States bears a lot of the blame.

Almost every piece of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and major oil and natural gas producers like Russia and Saudi Arabia have also been widely criticized for throwing up roadblocks in the negotiations. However, scientists and environmentalists following the talks say the U.S. exerts outsized influence on the process. The country is the top producer of oil and gas globally, and it has the world's biggest economy, which has historically given the U.S. huge sway in environmental negotiations.

The world is awash in plastic. Oil producers want a say in how it's cleaned up

So far, American negotiators have been unwilling to push for measures in the treaty that would drive big cuts in plastic waste, critics say, like caps on manufacturing. Instead, they say, U.S. government representatives have put their weight behind policies around recycling and waste management that are favored by the country's giant fossil fuel and petrochemical industries . Researchers say those actions on their own won't drastically reduce plastic pollution.

"I don't think it's an understatement to say that where we're headed at right now with progress in negotiations is towards failure. And if there's one country that I think is responsible for that, I think it's the United States," says Douglas McCauley, a professor of environmental science at University of California, Santa Barbara, who has consulted with the U.S. State Department about the treaty and is attending the talks in Ottawa.

NPR spoke to seven scientists and environmental advocates who have consulted with the U.S. government about the plastics negotiations, some multiple times. Many of those experts contend that an absence of U.S. leadership is hindering efforts to push forward a treaty with effective regulations. The outcome of the negotiations could also have big implications for human health. A recent study found plastics contain more than 4,200 hazardous chemicals , the vast majority of which aren't regulated globally, according to the researchers.

"It's not that the U.S. is actively opposing some of these policies that could make a difference," McCauley says. "It's that they are showing no action whatsoever, no ambition whatsoever, for adopting any of these policies."

Investigations

How big oil misled the public into believing plastic would be recycled.

In a letter to President Biden in March , a coalition of more than 300 scientists said policy recommendations the government received from plastic manufacturers — and the government's own stance in the talks to date — are "inconsistent" with efforts to deal comprehensively with plastic waste. And a group of nine Democratic attorneys general whose states are grappling with plastic pollution recently urged the U.S. treaty delegation to back stronger global rules , saying the country is "uniquely positioned" to influence the negotiations.

"There is an important role the U.S. could play in addressing the growing influence of industry on these negotiations," says Carroll Muffett, chief executive of the Center for International Environmental Law who is an observer at the negotiations and whose organization has consulted with the State Department about the treaty. "So far, we have yet to see the U.S. on the right side of that issue."

A State Department spokesperson said in a statement to NPR that U.S. officials met with "a wide set of stakeholders" ahead of the negotiations in Canada, and that the country has a "central role in bridging differing positions" in the talks. For an agreement to be effective, it needs to be supported by every country, the spokesperson said, including major plastic producers and consumers.

Matt Seaholm, chief executive of a business group called the Plastics Industry Association, says the U.S. is doing "a very good job of trying to balance all of the interests" of different stakeholders.

"The U.S. government has positioned itself well to drive forward a workable, consensus-based agreement," Ross Eisenberg, president of another industry group called America's Plastic Makers, said in a statement.

A climate activist holds a banner next to a plastic installation after marching to demand reductions in global plastic production ahead of negotiations in Kenya in November 2023. LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A climate activist holds a banner next to a plastic installation after marching to demand reductions in global plastic production ahead of negotiations in Kenya in November 2023.

It's a pivotal moment in the negotiations

The world produces about 400 million metric tons of plastic waste every year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme — roughly the weight of every human on the planet . Most of it ends up in places like oceans, shorelines and landfills, where it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics that have been found in every corner of the environment and inside human bodies.

The problem is getting worse. The amount of plastic waste the world produces is expected to almost triple in the coming decades, with less than a fifth recycled, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. So in 2022, countries agreed to negotiate a legally binding agreement to "end plastic pollution."

With months to go before a deadline to hash out the treaty, interest groups on all sides of the issue say this is a pivotal moment. The last round of negotiations in Kenya ended in deadlock . Afterward, environmental groups warned the talks were at risk of collapsing after some oil- and gas-producing countries blocked a final decision on how to move forward.

The negotiations are happening at a time when the oil and gas industry increasingly sees petrochemicals as a core part of their business. Efforts to limit the risks from climate change threaten demand for fossil fuels, but oil and gas demand for petrochemicals is expected to keep rising for years, industry analysts say .

Magnus Løvold, a policy advisor at the Norwegian Academy of International Law, says fossil-fuel producers including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and Bahrain "want this process to fail."

An observer at the negotiations, Løvold adds: "The reason for that is that these countries, they have huge oil production, they have a considerable petrochemical industry, so they see that regulation of plastics is a threat to their economic interest."

The U.S. is a giant in those same industries. Booming production of American natural gas has propelled plastic manufacturing around the world. Last year, the country produced, consumed and exported a record amount of ethane , which is used in plastic manufacturing and almost always comes from natural gas when it is produced in the U.S.

Experts who have met with the State Department and who have attended the talks say U.S. negotiators could be handcuffed by domestic politics. It would be "probably impossible" for the Biden administration to convince two-thirds of the Senate to approve a plastics treaty, says Løvold of the Norwegian Academy of International Law.

The U.S. government "does not want to be the bad guy," says Erica Nuñez, head of The Ocean Foundation's plastics initiative who has consulted with the State Department. "I think they do really want to come out of this with some wins. And I think they're very challenged right now in identifying what those wins are [realistically] within the U.S. context."

Against the backdrop of booming fossil fuel production, U.S. negotiators at the talks have declined to back a binding global agreement, say the state attorneys general and environmental advocates who have attended the talks. Instead, they say the U.S. has sought an accord that would leave countries free to decide for themselves how to clean up plastic pollution.

"The U.S. is really trying to reshape what could be a binding global treaty with binding global targets into a ground-up treaty where every country just says, 'Alright, this is what we're willing to do,'" says Muffett of the Center for International Environmental Law. "And that is inadequate."

A State Department spokesperson said the agreement needs to include "universal obligations," but that "overly prescriptive approaches" could dissuade countries that are big producers and consumers of plastic from joining. Countries should be able to meet their obligations "in ways that take into account their respective priorities and circumstances," the spokesperson said.

The sun sets behind an oil refinery in Texas. Almost every piece of plastic is made from fossil fuels. MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The sun sets behind an oil refinery in Texas. Almost every piece of plastic is made from fossil fuels.

The plastic industry says cutting production is off limits

The plastics industry is fighting on two fronts to block treaty provisions that could constrain manufacturing. It is trying to stop countries from limiting how much new plastic is produced, and it opposes global regulations on the chemicals that companies use.

Scientists and environmental advocates say that to make a significant dent in plastic pollution, countries have to cut how much new plastic they manufacture. But plastic makers and the oil and gas industry, which includes national oil companies and publicly traded corporations, say the world needs all the plastic they can produce, and that negotiators should focus on creating a so-called circular economy where plastic is recycled and reused to prevent waste.

The industry is making that argument at the same time it tries to fend off scrutiny of a decades-long controversial campaign to sell recycling to the public. Investigations, including by NPR , have shown the plastics industry promoted recycling even though officials long knew that it probably wouldn't work on a large scale. Former industry officials have said the goal was to avoid regulations and ensure demand for plastics kept growing.

Current officials have said those investigations don't accurately portray today's industry.

"We fully and readily admit that we don't recycle enough plastic," says Seaholm of the Plastics Industry Association. "But what we're saying is we want to recycle more. The industry is putting billions of dollars into recycling technologies that get us where we need to be."

Seaholm says the industry also supports policies to encourage recycling, like making producers help pay for recycling infrastructure, and requiring companies to use some recycled material in plastic products.

A lot of experts say recycling will have to be part of the solution, because plastic is ingrained in modern life. But they say governments need to regulate manufacturing for recycling to work. The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which includes major brands like Coca-Cola, Unilever and Walmart, is calling for governments to phase out "problematic plastics" that are hard to recycle or that are likely to end up as waste in the environment.

A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. is advocating for measures to reduce demand for new plastic, including through government procurement policies. However, the spokesperson said countries wouldn't be stopped from also trying to limit the supply of new plastic. A lot of countries want to do that with caps on manufacturing.

Reducing demand for new plastic is "great," says Nuñez of The Ocean Foundation. But "we still need to directly implement policies to limit fossil fuel extraction — which is something that the U.S. is avoiding," she says.

As for the chemicals that go into plastic, industry representatives say they should be regulated by national governments, not by a global treaty on plastic pollution.

But scientists and environmental advocates calling for global chemical regulations note that plastic waste – and the chemicals it's made from – doesn't stay in the country where it is produced. It floats down rivers and around oceans.

To protect people and the environment, governments that are part of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, including the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as a number of developing countries from Rwanda to the Maldives, want to "eliminate and restrict" hazardous plastics and chemicals globally. They also want to force companies to disclose information about the chemicals they use.

"We have the evidence to show that human health and environmental health are being impacted," says Susanne Brander, an ecotoxicologist at Oregon State University who was on a call recently with the State Department discussing the plastics treaty. "If we can't get information on what's being used," she adds, "we have no way of truly making these products safer."

Pakistani laborers, mostly women, sort through empty bottles at a plastic recycling factory in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Pervez Masih/AP hide caption

Pakistani laborers, mostly women, sort through empty bottles at a plastic recycling factory in Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Lawmakers and observers warn of industry influence

But groups advocating for aggressive global rules say there's been little progress in the negotiations. After more than a year of talks, governments still haven't come up with a plan that has the "ambition and strength" to limit plastic production and cut down on pollution, the group of state attorneys general wrote to the State Department earlier this month. The group faulted the U.S. delegation for taking a position that "lacks concrete objectives or standards."

"The United States has the power to persuade and to be forward-leaning," says Margaret Spring, chief conservation and science officer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium who has consulted with the State Department on the plastics treaty and is leading a delegation at the talks for the International Science Council. "Right now, you've seen other countries doing that. And so that's been disappointing to many of us."

Negotiators face intense lobbying from groups that have big financial stakes in the plastics industry. The influence of plastic producers and petrochemical companies is "one of the largest barriers to strong action," a group of Democrat lawmakers, as well as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent, and Mohammed Chahim, a member of the European Parliament, wrote recently to Biden and leaders of the UN and European Commission.

Ahead of this week's negotiations in Canada, the industry said it would be a mistake to talk much about manufacturing. "Certainly there are those in the [Biden] administration who would like to see some much more aggressive policies towards our industry, which we certainly don't agree with," says Seaholm of the Plastics Industry Association. "But there are those who are truly honest brokers that we're continuing to work with."

Earth Day 2024: These 4 innovators have big ideas for developing a sustainable plastics ecosystem

Earth Day 2024 was an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue of unsustainable plastic production and usage. Image:  Unsplash/Jonathan Chng

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Simon Torkington

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Stay up to date:, reuse portal.

• The theme of Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs Plastics, to raise awareness of the issue of plastic pollution.

UpLink the World Economic Forum's open innovation platform, is supporting innovative start-ups working on critical sustainability challenges, including the shift towards a more sustainable plastics economy.

• Four leaders share innovations to reduce the impact of plastic and to usher in more sustainable methods of production and consumption.

As you settle down to read this article, take a look around you. How many items made of plastic can you see? The chances are, there are a lot.

Plastic is one of the most ubiquitous materials we manufacture - and we’re making more of it than ever. A comprehensive report from the OECD looking into the plastics lifecycle out to 2060 finds that “ annual production of plastic has more than doubled in the last two decades , and is projected to triple by 2060”.

In 2019, the world was making 460 million tonnes of plastic each year. By 2060, that figure is estimated to hit 1,231 million tonnes, according to OECD projections.

With these projections in mind, the OECD has identified a number of pathways to reduce the world’s reliance on unsustainable production and use of plastic products.

These are organized into four pillars with the emphasis on curbing demand, creating a circular plastics lifecycle, enhancing recycling and more careful waste management to close “leakage pathways” that lead to waste plastic littering the oceans and the environment.

Innovations for more sustainable use of plastics

On the occasion of Earth Day 2024 , we asked entrepreneurs from these early-stage impact-driven start-ups for their vision on how this can be achieved.

How can the world learn to live with plastic in a way that’s viable and sustainable?

Have you read, how empowering local communities can help solve global plastic waste, how to bring back circular models of consumption, data benefits ghana’s fight against plastic pollution, trashcon labs.

TrashCon operates automated systems for separating mixed waste into recyclable groups. They currently have 15 sites across India and are planning to expand globally.

Nivedha RM, CEO says: “The problem of plastics is like a giant mountain and all of us are but mere ants in front of it. We can only hope to solve the problem - as activists, policymakers and technology developers - if all of us come together with only one goal in mind; to ensure plastics do not end up in landfills, oceans or being incinerated, which only leads to further environmental impact."

Green Mining

This Brazilian innovator uses blockchain to power its reverse logistics systems for consumer packaging. Their technology ensures that all collected material is tracked, weighed and recorded at each stage for proper disposal.

Company CEO, Rodrigo Oliveira says: “Plastic's versatility and multipurpose nature render it incredibly valuable in enhancing the lives of the population. Given its immense value, it's imperative that we maximize its utility by embracing continuous use, reuse, refilling, and return practices. The plastics industry must rally around solutions that prioritize infinite reuse, thereby shifting away from single-use applications. By aligning efforts with the objectives of a plastic treaty focused on sustainable reuse, we can unite investors and environmentalists in pursuit of a shared goal.”

More than 90% of plastic is never recycled, and a whopping 8 million metric tons of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans annually. At this rate, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050.

The Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) is a collaboration between businesses, international donors, national and local governments, community groups and world-class experts seeking meaningful actions to beat plastic pollution.

In Ghana, for example, GPAP is working with technology giant SAP to create a group of more than 2,000 waste pickers and measuring the quantities and types of plastic that they collect. This data is then analysed alongside the prices that are paid throughout the value chain by buyers in Ghana and internationally.

It aims to show how businesses, communities and governments can redesign the global “take-make-dispose” economy as a circular one in which products and materials are redesigned, recovered and reused to reduce environmental impacts.

Read more about our impact .

Eco Panplas

Eco Panplas is a Brazilian company which has developed a technological solution that performs the decontamination and recycling of plastic packaging in an ecological way without the use of water, and without waste generation.

Founder Felipe Cardoso says: “By building a circular plastics economy with the participation of consumers, manufacturers, public authorities and recyclers, we can ensure that more and more plastic waste can be reused, often by re-making the original product from waste material. When we do this, we generate economic and socio-environmental benefits for all and we tread more lightly on the planet.”

AIR COMPANY

AIR COMPANY is a technology firm producing sustainable fuels and chemicals from captured CO2 and renewable electricity. One of its key products is a sustainable form of methanol which can help to reduce the carbon footprint of plastic production.

AIR COMPANY spokesperson said: “AIR COMPANY's e-methanol, AIRMADE Methanol, is carbon-negative, meaning plastics made from it can serve as long-term CO2 storage. Consequently, using AIRMADE Methanol as a chemical feedstock can reduce the carbon footprint of various industries that depend on it, including plastics."

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World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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• What You Can Do to Reduce Plastic Waste

Related Information

• Ten Ways to Unpackage Your Life.

What You Can Do About Trash Pollution.

We can all help to reduce and eliminate plastics in the environment. Find some actions you can take to help below.

On this page:

Reduce and Reuse

• The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place, so focus on reducing your waste as much as possible.
• Set your table with cloth napkins and reusable dishes, glasses, and silverware as often as possible.
• Think green before you shop. Bring your own reusable bag for carrying your purchases, and try to buy items with minimal packaging.
• If you bring your lunch, package it in reusable containers instead of disposable ones. Read EPA's Pack a Waste Free Lunch guide for more tips.
• Bring drinks with you in a water bottle or thermos instead of disposable bottles or cartons.
• Consider putting a filter on your water tap and refilling bottles with the filtered water instead of buying bottled water.
• Instead of buying many small drink bottles, buy drink mixes in bulk and fill your reusable bottles.
• Maintain and repair plastics products, so that they won't have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently.
• Buy used plastic items to reduce plastic waste.
• Instead of discarding unwanted plastic items that are still in good shape, try selling or donating them, so others can reuse them. Choose your favorite app to post your items on for sale or free. Or find out if your local church, community center, thrift store, or school accepts a donated items.
• Baking cookies or other goodies as presents? Package them in reusable or recyclable containers.
• Reuse or repurpose items such as toys, clam shell containers, water bottles, and containers to prevent plastic waste.

For many more tips on how you can reduce waste across the board, check out our page on Reducing Waste: What You Can Do .

• Know before you throw. Some types of plastics are not accepted in community recycling programs. Check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept. 
• The symbols on the bottom of plastic bottles and containers identify the type of plastic used to make the container. This can help you determine whether the item is recyclable by your local program. The resin number is contained in a triangle that looks very similar to the recycling symbol. However, this symbol does not necessarily mean it can be collected for recycling in your community.
• Encourage your household to  recycle right and recycle more .
• Look into how to recycle plastic bags, wrap, and film in your area. These items are recyclable, but they cannot go in your household recycling bin. Ask your local grocery and department store, or visit the  Earth911  to find a location nearest you that recycles plastic bags, wrap, and film.
• You can rarely recycle plastic utensils. Think about if you need them before picking up your takeout. If not, ask the restaurant to leave them out of your order. Consider washing and reusing whatever you do need.
• Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling either and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if mixed with non-compostable plastics. If your community does not have a composting pick-up program that accepts compostable plastic, contact your garbage and recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for your compostable plastic items.
• Organize a recycling drive in your neighborhood or at school. Collect bottles and other accepted containers and take them to your local recycling center or a charity in need.
• When possible, purchase products made from recycled plastic materials. 
• Moving? Use bubble wrap containing recycled plastic. Be sure to recycle packaging materials after your move.
• Sustainable Management of Plastics Homepage
• About Plastic Pollution
• Best Practices
• Regulation and Policy
• Resources and Grant Programs

Global plastic pollution treaty talks hit critical stage in Canada

Thousands of negotiators and observers representing most of the world’s nations are gathering in the Canadian city of Ottawa this week to craft a treaty to stop the rapidly escalating problem of plastic pollution.

Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes, according to the United Nations Environment Programme . People are increasingly breathing, eating and drinking tiny plastic particles.

Negotiators must streamline the existing treaty draft and decide its scope : whether it will focus on human health and the environment, limit the actual production of plastic, restrict some chemicals used in plastics, or any combination of the above. These are elements that a self-named “high ambition coalition” of countries want to see.

Alternatively, the agreement could have a more limited scope and focus on plastic waste and greater recycling, as some of the plastic-producing and oil and gas exporters want.

In March 2022, 175 nations agreed to make the first legally-binding treaty on plastics pollution, including in the oceans, by the end of 2024. It’s an extremely short timeline for negotiations, meant to match the urgency of the problem. This is the fourth of five meetings of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics .

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix something everyone knows needs to be fixed because plastic in the environment is not natural, said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s executive director.

“People globally are disgusted by what they see. The straw in the turtle’s nose, the whale full of fishing gear. I mean, this is not the world we want to be in,” she said in an interview.

Andersen rejected the idea it’s an “anti-plastic” process because plastic has many uses that help the world. But, she said, the treaty should eliminate unnecessary single-use and short-lived plastic products that often are buried, burned or dumped.

Plastic production continues to ramp up globally and is projected to double or triple by 2050 if nothing changes.

Researchers at the federal Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published a report last week examining the climate impact .

If production grows conservatively, greenhouse gas emissions emitted from the process would more than double, they concluded. That could use 21% to 26% of the remaining so-called global carbon budget, which is how much carbon emissions can still be produced between now and 2050 while staying at or below the international goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since the 1850s.

Most plastic is made from fossil fuels. Negotiators at the United Nations climate talks known as COP28 agreed last December the world must transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels and triple the use of renewable energy.

But as pressure to reduce fossil fuels has increased, oil and gas companies have been looking more to the plastics side of their business as a lifeboat, a market that could grow.

The largest challenge for the negotiations is that major oil and gas producing countries do not want a treaty that limits their ability to extract and export fossil fuels to make plastic, said Björn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network. IPEN wants a treaty that places global controls on hazardous chemicals in plastics and ends the rapid growth of plastic production.

“Production is at the center of everything, it’s the reason why this is moving slow. And it’s going to get supercharged,” he said. “It’s not about oceans. It’s more about oil.”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon is leading a congressional delegation to Ottawa to advocate for a strong treaty. The U.S. government position, so far, is that nations should take voluntary steps to end plastic pollution, but that is not enough to drive change, Merkley said.

“The underlying reason why the U.S. is not ambitious is we are a fossil gas country,” he said.

ExxonMobil is increasing plastic production. It’s a useful, valuable material that improves the quality of lives around the world, and should replace other materials that emit more greenhouse gases, said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company and president of the International Council of Chemical Associations.

“That doesn’t mean that we’re not concerned about plastic waste in the environment. We do need to work on that issue,” she said. “But I would separate the production of plastic from the need to manage end-of-use plastic and to improve circularity.”

ExxonMobil broke down more than 45 million pounds of plastic waste last year at its massive complex in Baytown, Texas, through a process known as chemical recycling, McKee said. It plans to add the capability to many of its other manufacturing sites globally.

Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, the industry trade association, agreed with McKee. The focus should be on eliminating plastic pollution, without eliminating the benefits of plastic, he said.

When the treaty talks began in Uruguay in December 2022 , factions quickly came into focus. Some countries pressed for global mandates, some for voluntary national solutions and others for both. Progress was slow during Paris talks in May 2023 and in Nairobi in November.

But there’s still enough time to advance an ambitious treaty, said Alexis Jackson, who will lead a delegation from The Nature Conservancy in Ottawa. The Nature Conservancy, Greenpeace and other environmental advocates believe the treaty must reduce the amount of plastic that is produced and used in order to end plastic pollution.

“We’re more than halfway through the process now so we have an undeniably large amount of work to do,” Jackson said. “But, I think that we can make change happen even when it’s difficult.”

Andersen, at the United Nations, also is optimistic there will be a meaningful treaty this fall at the final meeting in South Korea.

“Everybody wants this treaty,” she said. “There is a global demand for this, for a solution.”

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .

A local fisherman performs maintenance on his boat while surrounded by trash washed up on Loji Beach in West Java, Indonesia.

The world dumps 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean each day. Here’s where a lot of it ends up

Photographs and video by Edu Ponces/RUIDO Photo Story by Angela Dewan, CNN Published April 22, 2024

The western coast of Java in Indonesia is popular with surfers for its world-famous breaks. There’s a majestic underwater world to explore, too. But it’s impossible to surf or snorkel without running into plastic water bottles, single-use cups and food wrappers.

The garbage sometimes forms islands in the sea, and much of it washes ashore, accumulating as mountains on the beach.

The world produces around 400 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. Every day, 2,000 truckloads of it is dumped into the ocean, rivers and lakes.

Despite global efforts to give plastic products longer lives, only 9% of them are actually recycled. Most plastic waste goes into landfills or is shipped to places like Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations, many of which are already drowning in their own plastic pollution.

Clearing beaches of litter in Indonesia is no small task. The country is the world’s second-biggest producer of plastic waste. As the world’s longest archipelago — stretching over the same distance as London to New York — Indonesia has a vast coastline and three times the amount of sea surface area than land, making fishing an industry that 12 million people rely on.

Without adequate state services to keep the beaches clear of litter, fishing communities are on the front lines of the clean-up.

Loji Beach, nestled in a bay in West Java, is especially prone to plastic pile-ups. Ocean currents sweep the waste into the bay where it gets trapped in and ends up on the sand.

“There’s no real community living here. There's not a proper road to the beach, so there's no local people cleaning it up properly, like you see in other parts of the country,” said Edu Ponces, a Barcelona-based photographer. “Loji Beach is telling us something: if we decide not to do more about plastic waste, this is what the sea will give back to us.”

Marsinah is an Indonesian woman who collects some of the plastic waste on Loji Beach. She then tries to sell it to informal recycling centers — it’s the only way for she's been able to earn an income since her husband died. Sometimes the local government buys the waste she and others collect, even if there’s no use for it, just to provide a livelihood.

Farther down the Java coast at Pangadaran Beach, Rahmat Hidayat has an important job: he goes out on the boat to cast the nets, which will then be collected by his colleagues. He says they are catching fewer fish than they used to, and there’s an increase in plastic in their haul.

He and his fellow fishermen spend hours separating the plastic and fish after a catch. Increasingly, plastics and small microplastics are making their way into the food chain as fish come into regular contact with ocean plastic waste.

To stop this vicious cycle, some traditional fishing villages are turning to other means for their catch.

Indonesia is one of several Southeast Asia nations that have tightened their rules for plastic waste imports as they try to prevent becoming plastic dumping grounds for countries like China, the US and EU nations. Indonesia will only allow shipments of products that are fully recyclable, but its neighbor to the north, Thailand, has gone further: It is banning all incoming plastic waste shipments starting in 2025.

At the same time, the European Union will ban the export of plastic waste to developing countries by 2026. Ironically, that has led to an uptick in plastic waste exports from the EU to Southeast Asia, as European companies rush to offload their waste ahead of the ban’s start date.

Ponces, the photographer, says that seeing piles of plastic at Bangkok’s recycling centers left a deep impression on him, and reinforced how enormous this global problem is.

“I finished taking these photos and went to the convenience store and bought a sandwich packed in plastic, and I realized I was also part of the problem. We all need to change this,” he says.

“The ocean has become the main battle zone for the climate and environmental crisis. We’ve had every day for more than a year breaking daily heat record temperatures in the seas. And the acidification is changing so many things in the world’s oceans. There is so much death in the ocean but we don’t see it — it’s all happening under water,” he says.

“But the plastics problem washes up on the shore and it’s just one way of showing people what’s happening in our seas.”

Correction — An earlier version of the headline misstated how much plastic pollution is dumped into the ocean. It is 2,000 truckloads each day. This story has been updated.

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UAE nonprofit organization to help Indonesia tackle plastic waste

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ndonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on reducing plastic waste in Indonesian waters.

The MoU was signed on Thursday in Abu Dhabi by officials from Indonesia’s Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister and the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, according to a press release from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.

Abu Dhabi-based nonprofit organization Clean Rivers is the implementation partner for the collaborative effort, which will “focus on designing and delivering of economically sustainable circular waste systems,” according to a press release issued by Clean Rivers on Thursday, following an initial announcement made at the AVPN Global Conference 2024 in UAE capital earlier this week.

“The MoU will also facilitate the productive exchange of information and best practices focusing on reducing the influx of plastic pollution into the ocean and expediting river clean-ups in Indonesia,” reads the release.

Read also: Research: Ciliwung among the world's most polluted rivers

Indonesia’s Ciliwung has been named one of the world’s most polluted rivers. In 2020, researchers estimated that the weight of plastic waste from all rivers in Jakarta totaled 2,100 tonnes, according to an article published in The Conversation .

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The researchers monitored levels of macroplastics (plastics with a size of more than 5 millimeters) in five locations of the Ciliwung in May 2018 and found 20,000 macroplastic items flowing into the ocean per hour, far exceeding the findings for the Chao Phraya River in Thailand (5,000 items per hour) or the Seine river in France (700 items).

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The Government of Canada requires producers to take more responsibility for the plastic they put on the market

From: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada is implementing a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic pollution, improve how plastic is made, used, and managed across its life cycle, and move toward a circular economy.

The Government of Canada is implementing a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic pollution, improve how plastic is made, used, and managed across its life cycle, and move toward a circular economy. On April 22, 2024, the Government of Canada published an information-gathering notice under section 46 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to collect data for the Federal Plastics Registry. A section 46 information-gathering notice is authorized under CEPA to allow the Minister to collect data for the purpose of conducting research, creating an inventory of data, formulating objectives and codes of practice, issuing guidelines or assessing or reporting on the state of the environment.

The Federal Plastics Registry

The Federal Plastics Registry will require companies (including resin manufacturers, service providers, and producers of plastic products) to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they manufacture, import, and place on the market. Producers of plastic products and service providers will also be required to report on the quantity of plastic collected and diverted, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated, and landfilled. They will also be required to report on the amount of plastic waste generated on their industrial, commercial, and institutional premises.

The Federal Plastics Registry will provide Canadians, including innovators and decision-makers, with reliable data that will identify opportunities for further action to reduce plastic waste and pollution, as well as help monitor progress over time.

In Canada, the responsibility for managing waste is shared among the federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments. As part of their responsibilities, provinces and territories develop and expand extended producer-responsibility programs to make producers responsible for managing their products at their end-of-life. While extended producer responsibility plays an important role in building a circular plastics economy, reporting requirements are inconsistent across Canada due to different definitions, calculations, and indicators of success.

That’s why the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste committed federal, provincial, and territorial governments to developing and maintaining Canada-wide data on how plastic moves through the economy. The Federal Plastics Registry will help address these needs by providing accessible, consistent and robust plastic data. This information will go beyond plastic packaging and other plastic categories currently captured through domestic extended producer-responsibility programs.

Implementation phases for the Federal Plastics Registry

Reporting requirements for the Federal Plastics Registry will be introduced in phases to allow time and flexibility for those obligated to report. Small producers that place less than one tonne of plastic on the market are exempt from making annual reports. This ensures that small businesses are not burdened and can continue to grow, while also ensuring that those placing significant quantities of plastic on the market are transparent with Canadians by reporting to the Registry.

As outlined in the table below, reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry will start in September 2025, requiring reporting on plastic placed on the market in three categories for the 2024 calendar year.

In 2026, reporting requirements for resin manufacturers and importers will be added, as well as reporting on plastic placed on the market for the remaining categories. In 2026, reporting on plastic waste generated at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities, plastic collected at end-of-life, as well as plastic sent for diversion and disposal for some categories, will also be introduced.

In 2027, additional reporting requirements on plastics collected and sent for diversion and disposal for more categories will be added.

Reporting requirements for beyond 2027 will be covered in a future information-gathering notice.

Beyond the Registry: Canada’s comprehensive plan to reduce plastic pollution

The Government of Canada is implementing an evidence-based and comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution and move toward a circular plastics economy through a range of complementary actions across the plastics life cycle.

The government advances Canada’s Plastic Science Agenda by conducting and investing in plastic science and uses this and other robust information to inform federal actions and measure progress.

Prevention is paramount. That is why the Government of Canada is eliminating certain harmful and problematic plastic products from entering the marketplace. Canada is one of the first countries to ban plastic microbead-containing toiletries.

For plastics that can be sustainably managed, the Government of Canada is taking targeted action that prioritizes prevention and reduction of plastic waste from the start and improves how plastic is made, used, managed, and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The government is also advancing sector-based solutions, investing in concrete actions, including reuse and Canadian-made innovations, and greening its own operations and procurement practices to set a good example. This integrated approach will reduce unnecessary and problematic plastic, strengthen reuse and other value-recovery processes, and help inform Canadians.

Canada has a long track record of supporting international and domestic actions to address plastic pollution, including through the launch of the Ocean Plastics Charter during its 2018 G7 Presidency and its membership in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. As Canada welcomes the world to Ottawa for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4) from April 23–29, 2024, the country continues to play an active leadership role in finalizing an ambitious and effective global agreement to end plastic pollution by working with all countries and partners to achieve this goal.

The Government of Canada will continue to work collaboratively with its partners to advance its comprehensive plan at home and abroad, including by working with provinces and territories through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan.

Reporting phases for the Federal Plastics Registry, simplified

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