Big Brands and G‑7 Nations Team Up to Fight Plastic Pollution
In a splash of corporate goodwill, Coca‑Cola, Walmart, and a host of other global giants have vowed to help clean up our oceans on Sept. 20. Their pledge comes in support of a bold plan crafted by five of the G‑7 industrialised countries and the European Union.
Ocean Plastics Charter – A Clean‑Slate Deal
- Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, together with the EU, signed the Ocean Plastics Charter in June
- The United States and Japan stayed on the sidelines, but Norway and Jamaica jumped in to back the mission of making 100 % of plastics recyclable by 2030
- By 2040, all plastics should be recycled and reused; the group is also eyeing smarter, greener packaging choices
Halifax Huddle – Canadian “Green” Squad Gets Going
During the second day of the G‑7 ministerial meeting in Halifax, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced a new partnership aimed at cutting down plastic waste. Big‑name backers? Think Loblaws, Walmart, Nestlé Canada, IKEA, Dow Chemicals, Coca‑Cola, BASF Canada and A&W Canada.
Meanwhile, Unilever announced a non‑profit initiative to help both consumers and businesses slash waste, and Volvo set its sights on making 25 % of the plastics in its cars recyclable by 2025.
More Than Straws – The Net‑tastic Problem
The G‑7 isn’t just chasing straws; they’re tackling lost fishing nets and gear, which make up a staggering 70 % of the plastic blues floating on ocean surfaces.
According to Canada’s Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, roughly 640,000 tonnes of nets and gear are dumped in the seas each year, killing around 136,000 seals, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, small whales and seabirds — a real death trap for marine life.
“This is a huge deal,” Wilkinson told reporters. “We all agree it’s a priority, and we’re committed to fixing it.”
The United Nations’s environment agency confirms that 70 % of floating plastic waste comes from fishing gear. World Animal Protection’s executive Josey Kitson calls the debris a “death trap” but hopes the G‑7’s actions will bring change.
Fixes & Follow‑Ups
- Encourage fishers to reuse gear and properly dispose of aging nets
- Track discarded gear back to vessels, pinpointing polluters
- Plan to revisit this issue at the Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi, November
California Straws – A State‑Wide Shocker
In the U.S., California is making a bold move: restaurants will no longer offer plastic straws unless customers ask for them. The new law, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, is set to take effect next year and is the first of its kind across the nation.
Brown remarked that the small step could spark a bigger conversation, prompting people to “pause and think” before grabbing a straw. “It’s a tiny shift,” he said, “but it could set the stage for eliminating single‑use plastics altogether.”
Non‑compliant restaurants face a warning system — two warnings before a fine that tops US$300 per year.
Global Momentum
- EU’s May proposal to ban single‑use plastics (straws, cutlery, cotton buds) and push for most plastic drink bottles collected by 2025
- France plans a penalty system next year to raise the cost of plastic‑made consumer goods, such as plates, cups, and utensils
So while our oceans and coastlines face a serious plastic crisis, these new initiatives — from multinational partnerships to state‑level regulations — paint hope on the horizon. The goal? Clean waters, healthier wildlife, and a future where convenience doesn’t come at the cost of the planet.
