Aktuelles
03.03.2022
Anja Krieger

Negotiations for global plastics treaty underway at UN

Drei Personen laufen über eine riesige Müllhalde mit Plastik und anderem Müll
Drei Personen laufen über eine riesige Müllhalde mit Plastik und anderem Müll
Die Dandora-Müllhalde nahe Kenias Hauptstadt Nairobi
©
James Wakibia/Wethank Media

The global community has taken a decisive step toward resolving its problem with plastics. On March 2, 2022, the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) issued a mandate to negotiate a comprehensive global plastics treaty. It should be ready in two years’ time. Experts at Helmholtz welcome this decision.

Share content
Porträt einer Meeresbiologin
Porträt einer Meeresbiologin
Melanie Bergmann
©
AWI

Melanie Bergmann, Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)

“The mandate adopted for the negotiation of a plastics agreement instills a bit of hope, as it takes the entire life cycle of plastics into account multilaterally and is intended to be legally binding. After all, only in this way can we effectively combat the negative consequences for ecosystems, health, and, in particular, our climate. However, now the real work is just beginning. This means ensuring that the agreement be based on science, that it not get diluted in the end, and that, for example, the use of renewable energies also be enshrined in the production of plastics.”

Dr. Melanie Bergmann is a marine biologist and plastics researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI).

 

Porträtfoto des Wissenschaftlers vor dem Meer
Porträtfoto des Wissenschaftlers vor dem Meer
Ralf Ebinghaus
©
privat

Ralf Ebinghaus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

“Depending on their size and how long they remain in the environment, microplastic particles can contain a wide array of chemicals. Some such chemicals are added deliberately during production, and others subsequently build up on the particle. In both cases, these substances can be harmful to human health, as they can enter the human organism like a Trojan horse. To my mind, it is imperative that such risks be taken into account in a global plastics agreement or in the context of a science-policy panel being established on chemicals and microplastics.”

Prof. Ralf Ebinghaus is the head of the Hereon Institute for Coastal Environmental Chemistry and conducts research on the incidence, residual nature, and significance of long-lasting and bioaccumulative substances in coastal, marine, and polar regions.

 

Porträt der Wissenschaftlerin in einem Gang
Porträt der Wissenschaftlerin in einem Gang
Katrin Wendt-Potthoff
©
UFZ/ Sebastian Wiedling

Katrin Wendt-Potthoff, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

“Microplastics can now be found not only in the oceans, but also in inland waters such as reservoirs and dams, where minuscule plastic particles can be found deposited in the beds. It has not yet been conclusively determined what sort of long-term effect these deposits have on the ecosystem. It is thus important to take action globally at the political level in order to avoid potential risks.”

Katrin Wendt-Potthoff is a microbiologist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ and spokesperson for the plastics workstream at the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA).

 

Selbst-Portrait des Wissenschaftlers auf einem Schiff
Selbst-Portrait des Wissenschaftlers auf einem Schiff
Erik Borchert
©
privat

Erik Borchert, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

“It is encouraging that a critical look is being taken at the entire life cycle of plastics. The more than 70 years of production and disposal processes polluting the environment in an unchecked manner must come to an end. Furthermore, there needs to be more transparency and better regulation in the production of plastics with its concomitant additives. Even though many chemical additives in plastics can have health effects, there is – as yet – no labeling obligation. Thorough labeling would also facilitate the development of natural microbiological processes for the decomposition of plastics.”

Erik Borchert is a microbiologist at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. He researches marine plastics as a source for new and innovative biotechnological strategies in the project PLASTISEA and risks to health of plastic additives in the project P-LEACH.

 

Portrait des Wissenschaftlers vor einem Baum im Herbst
Portrait des Wissenschaftlers vor einem Baum im Herbst
Dieter Stapf
©
Marcus Breig / KIT

Dieter Stapf, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

“In order to protect the climate and the environment, we must urgently put a stop to the dumping and discarding of plastics. It is imperative that we create a sustainable circular economy for plastics, and that starts with waste collection. That is why we are conducting research on technologies such as chemical recycling. This would allow us in the future to recycle not only packaging, but also – above all – the many complex plastic products which are used for insulating buildings and building wind turbines, automobiles, and electrical appliances. An international plastics treaty that takes into account the entire life cycle of synthetic materials would be a critical step in the right direction.”

Prof. Dieter Stapf is the head of the Institute for Technical Chemistry at KIT. He performs research on recycling plastics.