Despite a fresh wave of commitments from corporates to reduce their plastic footprint, the wider business community is still failing to accept responsibility for the plastic pollution it produces by placing the onus on consumers, according to a new report from WWF. The report reveals that the amount of plastics produced, littered and incinerated globally is set to rise “dramatically” by 2030, despite recent action by businesses. It also warns that a further 104 million tonnes of plastic will “leak” into ecosystems by 2030 if policymakers, businesses and consumers do not collaborate to “drastically change” their approaches to the issue. The report states that the overall CO2 emissions generated through the plastic life cycle will increase by 50% by 2030, as plastic incineration trebles and alternatives are introduced before any unintended consequences are examined in full. The report attributes these trends to businesses, governments and NGOs taking “uncoordinated and piecemeal approaches” to tackling plastic pollution, with many focusing solely on specific items or on post-consumer recycling than developing approaches which cover the whole value chain.

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