WORLDWIDE - Consumers everywhere are looking for more sustainable options in the produce aisles and beyond, and that doesn’t just mean growing practices. Packaging is also vital when it comes to environmentally friendly products. As single-use packaging waste grows, the United Nations Environmental Assembly wants to introduce an international treaty to end plastic pollution globally.

“The scale of pollution still attributable to single-use packaging waste is staggering. Today, our throwaway culture produces around 400 million tons of plastic waste every year. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that approximately 85 percent of all single-use packaging ends up as waste in landfills and in our natural environment,” said IFCO Chief Executive Officer Mike Pooley in a recent article. “The full impact of this on human and planet health remains unclear, but it’s not good.”

The article noted that the final document is expected at the end of 2024. As Pooley asks, though, could this treaty make a difference in international legislation?

Although a recent UNEP study argues that it is possible to reduce global plastic pollution by over 80 percent by 2040, this will require us to rethink many industries, promote reusable packaging, and strengthen single-use packaging waste legislation across the board.

“Key takeaways from the report tie into my own beliefs. Disposability is the real issue. We need to turn off the tap and stop the leaking of single-use packaging waste into our environment,” Pooley added. “Most notably, the report highlights how industries will need to adopt reusable and recyclable packaging solutions that are run with a circular economy mindset. And that it will require common legislation to get us there.”

Currently, legislation remains confusing to many and varies from region to region, and even city to city in some countries like the United States. This makes it especially challenging for any grower or retailer who wants to work on an international level.

As the regulatory landscape continues to shift, so does legislation, which leads to uncertainty regarding what new measures will be.

To read more of Pooley’s deep dive, click here.

AndNowUKnow will report on this issue and others affecting the produce industry.