The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty
The Science of The Total Environment, vol. 949, pp. 174881
Abstract
The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential "pillars" necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.
Authors 21
-
Affiliation as printed
Oregon State University, Dept. Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation Sciences; Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Newport, OR, USA. Electronic address: susanne.brander@oregonstate.edu
OSU - Oregon State University (1500 SW Jefferson St., Corvallis, OR 97331 - États-Unis)
-
University of Newcastle Australia
Affiliation as printed
School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
UoN - University of Newcastle [Callaghan, Australia] (University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308 - Australie)
-
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas · Experimental Medicine and Biology Institute
Affiliation as printed
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET), Argentina
IBYME - Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental [Buenos Aires] (Vuelta de Obligado 2490 - Belgrano - C.A.B.A. - Argentine)
-
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Affiliation as printed
Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
Rutgers University [Newark] (195 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102, États-Unis - États-Unis)
-
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Department of Exposure Science, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr, Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
RWTH - Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University (RWTH Aachen Templergraben 55 52062 Aachen (Hausanschrift) 52056 Aachen (Postanschrift) - Allemagne)
UFZ - Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung = Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (04318 Leipzig, Germany - Allemagne)
-
Technical University of Denmark
Affiliation as printed
Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby, Denmark
-
University of British Columbia · University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus
Affiliation as printed
Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
UBC - University of British Columbia (Vancouver Campus, , 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 / Okanagan Campus, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7 - Canada)
-
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung · Massey University
Affiliation as printed
School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University, New Zealand
AWI - Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Allemagne)
-
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
GU - Göteborgs Universitet = University of Gothenburg (Box 100, SE-405 30 Göteborg - Suède)
-
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Affiliation as printed
Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
EAWAG - Swiss Federal Insitute of Aquatic Science and Technology [Dübendorf] (Überlandstrasse 133 Postfach 611 CH-8600 Dübendorf - Suisse)
-
Affiliation as printed
Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
Roskilde University (Roskilde University Universitetsvej 1, P.O. Box 260 DK-4000 Roskilde - Danemark)
-
University of Copenhagen · IT University of Copenhagen
Affiliation as printed
Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance, Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
ITU - IT University of Copenhagen (Rued Langgaards Vej 7, 2300 København, Danemark - Danemark)
-
Technical University of Denmark
Affiliation as printed
Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby, Denmark; Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, Long Beach, CA, USA
DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark (Anker Engelunds Vej 1 , Bygning 101A , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby - Danemark)
-
Affiliation as printed
SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway
SINTEF OCEAN - SINTEF Ocean Space (Norvège)
-
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Ifremer · Université de Montpellier · Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation · Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
Affiliation as printed
MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (France)
UMR MARBEC PALAVAS - MARine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation - Station Ifremer Palavas (Centre de Palavas Station Ifremer Chemin de Maguelone 34250 Palavas-les-Flots - France)
-
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Affiliation as printed
NILU & Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
NIPH - Norwegian Institute of Public Health [Oslo] (PO Box 222 Skøyen N-0213 Oslo - Norvège)
-
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norvège)
-
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Spain
UCA - Universidad de Cádiz = University of Cádiz (Espagne)
-
California State Polytechnic University
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA
CAL POLY POMONA - California State Polytechnic University [Pomona] (3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, California 91768 - États-Unis)
-
Affiliation as printed
Department of Bioscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
University of Sheffield [Sheffield] (Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TN - Royaume-Uni)
-
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norvège)
Cited by 47 stored of 46
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-06).