Plastic pollution in the oceans has reached alarming levels, with eight million tons of plastic waste being dumped each year.
Latin America, as the fourth largest producer of plastic waste, faces a critical environmental challenge.
Impact of plastic pollution on the environment
Plastic waste can:
- Accumulate on beaches and oceans, affecting marine life.
- Transform into microplastics, contaminating seabeds.
- Remain in the ecosystem for decades, such as plastic straws, which can take over 100 years to decompose.
In some ocean sectors 1,000 km off the coast of Chile, up to 50,000 pieces of plastic per km² have been recorded, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.
Single-use plastics ban
Countries like Chile, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil have launched initiatives to ban single-use plastics, with awareness campaigns about their environmental impact.
Although straws represent a small fraction of marine litter, their elimination contributes to greater public awareness about the indiscriminate consumption of plastics.
Creation of the Plastic Circular Economy Cities Network
To address the issue, the GEF ALC Cities Project has promoted the Plastic Circular Economy Cities Network in Latin America and the Caribbean, incorporating:
- Barranquilla and Cartagena (Colombia).
- Kingston and Montego Bay (Jamaica).
- Panama City and Colon (Panama).
The network aims to promote regional cooperation, share best practices, and encourage sustainable plastic management.
An approach towards the circular economy
This effort is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Cartagena Convention, promoting actions such as:
- Strengthening recyclers and green jobs.
- Protecting water sources and ecosystem recovery.
- Implementing sustainable business models.
Expansion and expected results
Among the network’s objectives are:
- A coordinated regional agenda for plastic reduction.
- Greater understanding of circular solutions in each country.
- Expansion to nine additional cities, amplifying the impact.
This effort aims to create sustainable strategies to minimize plastic pollution, promoting a more balanced future for ecosystems and communities.
Cover photo: Cepal
