Nations have agreed to "significantly" curb items such as plastic bags and straws by 2030. Environmentalist groups warn the measures don't go far enough, with the US reportedly blocking efforts for more radical action.
Image: picture-alliance/M. Schröder
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United Nations member states agreed on Friday to "significantly reduce" single-use plastics over the next decade.
The pledge came after marathon talks with nearly 200 ministers at the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nations pledged to "address the damage to our ecosystems ... including by significantly reducing single-use plastic products by 2030," according to the summit's final statement.
The move will seek to curb the use of disposable plastic products such as bags, cups, cutlery and drinking straws.
The final statement was issued on a day that saw thousands of students taking part in protests to urge world leaders to take action to combat climate change.
Although Friday's agreement marks the first global commitment to curb plastics, environmentalist groups say the pledges do not go far enough to urgently address the growing pollution crisis that is threatening the world.
The final text of the document was also significantly weakened by the United States, according to negotiators.
Most nations, including European Union members, backed a proposal by India that would have seen governments commit to "phasing out most problematic single-use plastics by 2025."
The United States led a few countries, including Saudi Arabia and Cuba, in a push to water down the text — resulting in the final declaration to "significantly reduce" plastics by 2030, negotiators and environmental campaigners said.
"It's hard to find one solution for all member states," said Siim Kiisler, UN assembly president.
"The environment is at a turning point. We don't need verbose documents, we need concrete commitments," he told journalists.
Some 500 billion disposable plastic bags are used worldwide each year, while one million plastic drink bottles are purchased every minute, the UN said.
Some 8 million tons (8.8 million US tons) of plastic leak into the ocean every year, threatening marine life and smothering reefs.
Alternatives to single-use plastics
The European Commission is planning a ban on disposable products like plastic straws, plastic plates and plastic cutlery. But that doesn't mean you'll have to go without these convenient items altogether.
Billions of plastic straws end up as waste. The European Union wants to ban these and other single-use plastics, which end up in rubbish dumps or in our oceans. But for those who just can't stop sucking — like Marco Hort, who set a world record with 259 straws stuffed in his mouth — there are environmentally friendly alternatives.
Image: AP
Drink it, eat it
Animals in the ocean often try to eat plastic straws. To protect the environment, you can now eat the straw yourself. The German startup Wisefood has developed an edible straw made out of the leftovers from Germany's apple juice production. Alternatively, you can also acquire a multiple-use straw made from metal, bamboo or glass.
Image: Wisefood
We are forked!
There are no exact numbers of how many plastic forks, knives and spoons are used once and then dumped. But it's enough for the EU to want to say goodbye to them. If you need to eat on the run and can't use metal silverware, you might try edible versions. The Indian startup Bakey's offers forks made out of sorghum; the US company SpudWares, out of potato starch. Yummy!
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Scholz
No leftovers
Talking about eating your plastic alternatives: You might also like to try edible plates, since plastic plates will be on the way out under the EU's ban. The Polish company Biotrem has developed plates made from bran. In case you are already full from your meal, don't worry: The plates are organic and decompose after 30 days.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Reszko
Cut the cup
Besides banning the private use of disposable plastic products, the EU aims to encourage fast food chains, cafes and bars to curb the use of plastic cups. Half a trillion plastic cups are consumed every year — most of them being used for a single drink, then staying in the environment for eternity. Several companies now offer plant-based alternatives.
Image: picture-alliance/empics/D. Thompson
It's not plastic
One of those companies is the Balinese startup Avani. It has developed a compostable bioplastic made from corn starch. Although, the cups look and feel like petroleum-based plastic cups, they are biodegradable. However, they decompose best in a commercial composting facility, and not in your backyard
Image: Avani-Eco
Reuse, reuse, reuse
The easiest way to replace plastic cups is by using reusable mugs. But we might not always have our personal coffee cups on hand while we are out on the streets. Berlin is among German cities testing out a pilot project allowing coffee aficionados to borrow a reusable bamboo mug for a small deposit, and return it at another cafe at a later point.
Image: justswapit
Clean ears, dirty oceans
Another plastic product the EU would see gone are ear buds. When disposed of improperly, they end up in the ocean, where animals mistake them for food. There are plastic-free alternatives with the stem made from bamboo or paper. But hardcore environmentalists say it's best to stop using them altogether — you can use your towel to clean your ears.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/Wildlife Photographer of the Year /J. Hofman
