From Beaches to Boardrooms: Why Plastic Pollution Needs Corporate Attention Now

Welcome to Suits & Tides, the sustainability newsletter with more knowledge than microplastics in the ocean! In this episode, we're talking about why Corporations Must Lead the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

As a leading ocean impact organization on a mission to remove 10,000,000 kgs of plastic from our oceans by 2025, we engage with several organizations every week.?

During our conversations with some of the biggest corporations in the world, it is not uncommon for us to hear such statements: "We've already replaced plastic straws, and I don't think we need to do more for now".?

It almost seems as if most organizations have forgotten all about the true essence of corporate sustainability – a holistic approach to conducting business while achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This ‘sustainability-amnesia’ and this ‘carbon-or-nothing’ approach to corporate sustainability could potentially allow extreme threats like the plastic contamination of our marine, riverine, and terrestrial biota to accentuate beyond a point of human control.?

Despite growing awareness about environmental issues, many organizations still underestimate the impact of plastic pollution and believe that minor adjustments are sufficient. Statements like "we've already replaced plastic straws, and I don't think we need to do more for now" should neither be read or heard through a lens of total despondence nor should it be left entirely to hope – the folks at Seven Clean Seas view this as an opportunity to educate.

The Plastic Crisis: A Quick Reminder

This is not new information - as per the UNEP, since the 1970s, plastic production has increased more rapidly than any other material. If these trends persist, global production of primary plastic is projected to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050. A significant concern is the rise of single-use plastic products, designed to be discarded after one brief use.

About 36 percent of all plastics produced are used for packaging, including single-use containers for food and beverages. Approximately 85 percent of these plastics end up in landfills or as unregulated waste. Moreover, around 98 percent of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels, or "virgin" feedstock. The greenhouse gas emissions from the production, use, and disposal of these conventional fossil fuel-based plastics are expected to increase to 19 percent of the global carbon budget by 2040.

The global volume of plastic production is not aligned with the global waste management infrastructural capacity, as is evident from the revelations made in EA’s Plastic Overshoot Day Report. And, to add insult to the injury, the majority of the workers responsible for actually recovering 6 billion tons of the entire world’s plastic trash are unfairly compensated, ill-treated,? and not formally organized.????

In a nutshell:

• The global plastic production volume does not seem to be slowing down.
• Roughly 85% of that plastic ends up in landfills or incinerators or are just disposed off out in the natural environment.
• The world’s plastic waste generation capacity has far exceeded its waste management capacity.
• The only people available to actually solve or ease this problem are severely unfairly employed and unorganized.?
• Corporations are still not prioritizing plastic action.??

The aim is not to foster an alarmistic sense of fear; the aim here is to present facts at face value in hopes of spurring some form of positive corporate action.??

Less Talk, More Action: The Seven Clean Seas Mantra

But, you’re not here to read about the scale of the challenge. From kids making “stop plastic pollution” posters in schools to scientists discovering microplastics and nanoplastics in the human bloodstream and up to 250,000 pieces in a standard bottle of mineral water - the plastic problem is talked about enough.?

But, not much of all that talk ever translates into action. And, corporations not prioritizing environmental conservation and not supporting the advancement of plastic waste management as much as publishing carbon accounting reports – is one of the biggest drivers of the ever-worsening plastic crisis.?

Why are we the right people to speak about this? — Because we’ve seen the transformational effects of corporate action first-hand.?

Our partners like Howden, Microsoft, Marina Bay Sands, ECCA Family Foundation, Thai Union, Berge Bulk, IndoSuez Wealth Management, Markel, BW LPG, and many others have proactively helped Seven Clean Seas develop plastic recovery solutions and full-scale projects in Batam and Bintan Islands in Indonesia and Bangkok in Thailand.??

We’re driven by our vision of picturing an ocean without plastic. But, that requires us to simultaneously work towards plastic prevention along with plastic recovery. Not only have we removed several million kilograms of plastic from the environment and have provided fair contractual employment to hundreds of crew members across our project sites, but we have also taken it upon ourselves to educate and throw light on the actual depth of the plastic crisis.

And, two of the many ways in which we do that are:?

1. Showing organizations the reality through 1-day project site tours:?

One of the most effective ways to shift corporate perspectives on plastic pollution is through immersive, hands-on experiences at our project sites. Our tours to locations like Batam and Bintan provide participants with a powerful, firsthand look at the scale of plastic pollution and its impact on local communities.

These tours are designed to be educational and transformative. Participants witness the massive amounts of plastic waste collected from coastal and riverine environments, giving them a tangible sense of the problem's magnitude. Engaging with local communities helps participants understand the human element of plastic pollution. They see how poor waste management practices affect people's lives and livelihoods and learn about the importance of sustainable waste management systems.

The tours also showcase practical solutions to plastic pollution. Participants learn about the processes involved in waste collection, sorting, and recycling through hands-on experiences. They see how these efforts can be scaled up and implemented in other regions, providing a blueprint for effective waste management. This hands-on experience is invaluable in inspiring participants to take similar initiatives within their organizations.

2. Educating corporates on the need to prioritize plastic action:?

Education plays a crucial role in changing corporate attitudes and behaviors towards plastic pollution. Our educational workshops and seminars are designed to raise awareness and provide actionable insights into how companies can reduce their plastic footprint.

These sessions cover a range of topics, from the sources of plastic pollution to plastic footprinting methodologies to innovative waste management solutions. They aim to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions and implement effective strategies. By understanding the full extent of the plastic crisis and learning about successful case studies, corporate leaders are more likely to prioritize plastic action within their sustainability agendas.

Prioritizing plastic action can and will indubitably lead to significant long-term benefits. Companies that take a proactive approach to plastic pollution can enhance their brand reputation, increase consumer trust, and create a more sustainable operational model. These benefits extend beyond the company to the wider community, fostering a culture of sustainability (in its truest sense possible) and environmental stewardship.

We hope to inspire more organizations to join us in prioritizing plastic action. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and create a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. Through education, hands-on experiences, and a commitment to change, we can make a significant difference in the fight against plastic pollution.

If this has given you some food for thought – maybe, let’s kick things off with a visit to one of our project sites??

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