Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4Summary of problem and solutionworkshop outcomesPackaging/consumer debrisThis group identified that many countries lack basicwaste infrastructure, legislation and education, resultingin waste/debris entering the marine environment. Fourkey debris types were identified as priority problemscausing severe suffering to animals: plastic bags;plastic packing bands; plastic six-pack rings andplastic bottle caps.Solutions were quite specific to each debris type,but all required industry and consumer buy-in andsome additionally needed policy changes to introduceparticular legislation.There was discussion about whether the ultimate aimshould be the responsible disposal of plastic and otherdebris or a substantial reduction of plastic use by societyoverall. Industry representatives in the group felt that itwas much more realistic to find disposal and recyclingfocusedsolutions, while others emphasised that thisshould still go hand in hand with an effort to encouragepeople to live a less consumerist lifestyle and reduce oreliminate certain types of packaging altogether.Although plastic was clearly identified as a cause ofmany animal welfare problems in the oceans, it wasacknowledged that alternative materials often comewith their own set of problems (i.e. other environmentalimpacts, unsustainable sources etc.).There was considerable positive discussion aboutinitiatives to reduce or ban plastic bags, especially asthis is an issue that both the public and retailers arealready increasingly aware of. Examples were providedof countries, regions and cities banning plastic bagsaltogether whereas in others a tax on the bags isimposed at the point of sale. Many delegates felt thatsuch initiatives can and should be replicated on a globalscale. Several important lessons have been learnedfrom existing schemes such as the fact that the initialsuccess in reducing plastic bag use by charging a feecan plateau; and in order to prevent this the fee needs toincrease incrementally over time. Although governmentshave a responsibility to enforce and administer legislationthat restricts or bans plastic bags, this has proven, atleast in some places, to be low cost compared to whatthey have had to pay previously to clean up their waterways of plastic bags. One delegate reported that inIreland, where plastic bags have been banned, fishermenhave reported that they no longer ‘catch’ plastic bagsin their nets, compared to Northern Irish waters wherethere is a very apparent problem – evidence that bansreally do reduce the presence of these items in themarine environment.The six-pack ring problem and solution discussion raisedcomments about how the use of this type of packaginghas been reduced or even eliminated in some places,meaning it would not be a relevant issue to focus on inevery country.10
4Summary of problem and solutionworkshop outcomesSolutions which engaged industry in a positive way,such as the ‘Coca Cola Cap Challenge’ and ‘CorporateCoastline’, were generally viewed as potentiallyvery good initiatives with great public engagementopportunities. Some people questioned whether childrenare still interested in collecting things like bottle caps, butthere were also suggestions of ways to make them morecollectable, such as putting a marine-related fact on theinside of the bottle cap. It was mentioned that companiessuch as Apple, Schweppes and Shell have sponsoredbeaches and conducted beach clean-ups which theypaid for themselves (a model which could be replicated),and that the US-based Adopt a Highway initiative couldalso be used as a model given that it is a similar idea.Hotels situated on coastlines could also be asked toprovide funds for beach clean-ups.The group positively reviewed a campaign idea inwhich users of plastic packing bands are asked tocut them after use via a ‘Cut if you Care’ logo printedon each band by the manufacturer. It would cost themanufacturers money to print on the band but in returntheir CSR reputation would be improved. The groupnoted that the message would either need to be printedin different languages or be represented by symbolsto make it language neutral. It was highlighted thatan educational campaign focused on the problemsassociated with packing bands would need to runalongside the messaging that appeared on thebands themselves.11
Page 1 and 2: Proceedings of theUntangled symposi
Page 3: Contents1. Preface 52. Executive su
Page 6 and 7: 2Executive summaryThe issueMarine d
Page 8 and 9: 3Overview of the Untangled sessions
Page 12 and 13: 4Summary of problem and solutionwor
Page 15: Annex 1Untangled DeclarationWe are
Page 19 and 20: Annex 2Priority problems and soluti
Page 21 and 22: Annex 2Priority problems and soluti
Page 24 and 25: Table 1Communication exercise - key
Page 28 and 29: Annex 3Knowledge gapsProblem: A lac
Page 30: Annex 4Submitted abstracts accompan
Page 33 and 34: Annex 4Submitted abstracts accompan
Page 60 and 61:
Annex 4Submitted abstracts accompan
Page 62:
Annex 5Delegate contact detailsName
show all

Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?