Global Compact International Yearbook 2017

THE PLASTIC PLEDGE
How packaging makes us fat
Many foods are packed in soft, pliable, and stretchy plastic.
The softener DEHP is often used for this purpose. If softeners
come into our bodies via skin contact or through the food,
they affect our hormone systems, and thus our weight. In this
case, they make us fat, as researchers have found.
Cosmetics use microplastics
Shower gels, peelings, lipsticks: Microplastics are used in many
cosmetic products. The tiny plastic particles enter the environment
through wastewater and cause irreparable damage. For
many plastics, so-called additives are added that are intended
to give them certain characteristics, such as softness. Many
of them, such as BPA (Bisphenol A), are potentially harmful
to our health or have not yet been adequately researched.
However, the danger is evident: Scientists from the University
of Oldenburg (Germany) were also able to detect microplastic
parts from cosmetics in drinking water, milk, beer, soft drinks,
and even honey.
However, there are some promising developments.
Training of supply chains
The BEPI is an initiative of the Foreign Trade Association, the
leading economic association for European and international
trade. The objective of the BEPI is to promote environmental
protection in supply chains, including the chemical production
processes in the countries of production. In addition
to a regular international exchange, the initiative offers its
members a variety of modules and training courses in order
to develop more suppliers with specialized knowledge, and
thus to improve the overall management of chemicals in the
long term.
Plastic-eating caterpillar discovered
Is this the solution to the global waste problem? An Italian
researcher, Federica Bertocchini, has discovered a caterpillar
that eats plastic. In tests, she found out that about 100 larvae
of the wax moth eat about 92 milligrams of a normal plastic
bag in 12 hours. After 40 minutes, holes in the bag can already
be seen. “This is a very fast degradation, faster than anything
that has been scientifically published on this topic,” she says.
And food is plentiful: Every year, around one trillion bags are
produced worldwide.
The Ocean Cleanup project
Startups have discovered the garbage of the sea: 23-year-old
Bojan Slat, for example, has launched the Ocean Cleanup
project. He has developed feasible methods to rid the oceans
of plastic. The goal is to extract, prevent, and intercept plastic
pollution by initiating the largest cleanup in history. Many companies
have shown an interest in using the harvested plastic.
Recycling as a business case
Revenue with plastic waste? Yes, the brand Interface, for
example, has the biggest and most diverse choice of carpet
tiles, which are made with 100 percent recycled yarn. Their
goal for 2020 is to only use recycled or bio-based materials, to
cut their dependence on virgin petro-chemical raw materials.
Its German competitor, Desso, has received a Cradle-to-Cradle
Gold certificate for using 100 percent recycled yarn.
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