How to Finance Global Waste Management
When 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024, it revealed an enormous opportunity to drive global waste management solutions.?
Why is global access to waste management mission-critical to tackling plastic pollution? It’s quite simple: all plastic products and packaging are problematic for the environment if waste is not collected in the first place.??
The mismanagement of plastic waste is a primary source of plastic pollution. The OECD predicts that the amount of global mismanaged waste could skyrocket from 79 million tonnes (22% of all waste) in 2019 to 153 million tonnes (15% of all waste) by 2060 if current trends continue.?
Of that mismanaged waste, 22 million tonnes is plastic entering our environment - a number that could surge to 55 million tonnes by 2060. These projections are a stark reminder that we are currently failing to effectively manage plastic waste (let alone other types of waste).
Financing global waste management systems?
To create financially viable waste management systems, the treaty should stimulate the creation of robust and sustainable financing models for waste management and recycling. These models should cover both operational expenses and capital investments for infrastructure and should not depend on grants or project funding.??
Strong and scalable financing models can be developed through extended producer responsibility policies and waste generator or user fees paid for by producers. As a global community working to end plastic pollution, we must ensure that companies are held accountable for the plastic products and packaging they place on the market.?
This means that companies (known as producers) cover the costs of collecting and processing their products and packaging once they reach the end of their lifecycle. When plastic is collected and processed with other materials, producers should also cover a fair and representative portion of those overall costs.??
When it comes to packaging, an effective extended producer responsibility scheme should extend its coverage beyond plastic to cover other types of waste, such as paper, glass, and metal. This would create a level playing field for all materials and help avoid unwanted consequences.?
Regional and inclusive focus?
The most effective way to manage waste is to create systems tailored to the needs of local communities. With strong leadership, support, and commitment from key stakeholders – especially government officials and politicians – citizens quickly understand that waste is a valuable resource.?
Ultimately, every region requires a 'just transition' when creating well-designed waste management systems. This means engaging citizens and creating high-profile job opportunities. The transition to a circular economy should be inclusive and reach all communities, workers, and social groups.?
Creating effective waste management systems around the world is vital if we are to significantly reduce plastic pollution and safeguard our planet for future generations.??
In some countries, waste pickers are the driving force behind the majority of plastic recycling efforts. By strengthening waste management, we can provide these individuals with an improved livelihood in these regions.?
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?Successful examples of reducing plastic waste can be found in India and China, where formal waste management is implemented in an inclusive and non-disruptive way. Such systems are specifically designed with the intention to address waste not targeted by waste pickers. In addition to new job creation, formal waste management can offer upskilling opportunities for waste pickers.???
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
The UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution has the potential to tackle the plastic pollution crisis on a global scale. By providing a framework for countries to reduce plastic waste, the treaty can ensure access to efficient and convenient general waste collection for all citizens as a universal human right.??
Global access to waste collection is imperative to prevent land and marine plastic litter. Ensuring all citizens in all regions of the world have convenient general waste collection can end illegal dumpsites and open burning – highly toxic sources of pollution that endanger biodiversity and human health.??
To bring this vision to life, the UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution should promote a more holistic approach to resource management. Numerous experts agree this can be achieved through TOMRA’s Holistic Resource Systems – built on mandated extended producer responsibility policies.?
At the 3rd International Negotiation Committee (INC-3) meeting in Nairobi this November, we urge policymakers to ensure adequate financing of waste management systems globally. Solving the plastic pollution crisis is complex, and success is more likely if we take a more comprehensive approach.??
To enhance waste management, central and local governments must commit to investing in holistic systems that are designed to fit local needs. These systems should make it easy to collect, sort, and process all types of waste. We must find ways to improve operations, costs, and the environment simultaneously.??
Our research suggests that 0.63 billion tonnes CO2e emissions can be saved globally by eliminating open burning and dumping using minimal standard waste treatment options. We can achieve even bigger results with a combination of well-established waste management techniques, including:??
Considerable benefits can be reaped by adopting this holistic approach because it enables organizations to easily adapt to local conditions and changing needs. For example, in areas with no or limited waste management infrastructure, it is possible to implement cost-effective, low-maintenance, and low-technology systems that can be scaled up as needed.??
Deposit return systems, in particular, have their own dedicated value chain, meaning they run independently from general waste management systems and do not require municipal funding or high administrative costs.??
TOMRA calls upon governments worldwide to take bold and swift action to combat plastic pollution. We urge them to develop an International Legally Binding Instrument that ensures a circular future where plastic is treated as a valuable resource – one that is kept out of the environment and in circulation at its highest value and best use for as long as possible.?
TOMRA supports the UNEP Plastics Treaty with 10 recommendations to close the tap on plastic pollution. For more information, please visit?our website.?