When we are asked “paper or plastic” that choice involves poisoning oceans with oil-based plastics or devastating forests. We have a better choice. It’s time to move beyond single use paper and plastics to reusable and zero-water systems — and make throwaway go away.
“Single use items are quite literally destroying oceans and forests,” said Jeh Custerra, Friends of Clayoquot Sound Campaigner. “It’s time that all levels of government stepped in to end the age of single use for the good of the climate, the planet, and the people, plants, and animals who live on it.”
Single use products – from packaging to food containers, to disposable cups and cutlery – have caused widespread damage to marine and ocean ecosystems and are responsible for mass deforestation and degradation of the world’s forests. Single use items are also a key contributor to the 2 billion tonnes of waste that humans produce every year. That number is projected to increase 70% by 2050.
“We’re depleting the very life support systems that we all need to survive, simply for the supposed convenience of single-use products,” said Tamara Stark, Campaigns Director of Canopy, one of the authoring organizations of the joint position paper. “We need to see radical change in how products are delivered to people, without the use of harmful and polluting packaging.”
Friends of Clayoquot Sound joined Canopy Planet and 188 environmental movement allies from around the world in calling for an end to single use packaging as the United Nations Environmental Assembly discusses global sustainability. The joint call “From Single Use to Systems Change”, highlights the massive impact that disposable products are having on the natural environment, wildlife, human health, and vulnerable communities and calls on leaders to bring about a much needed systemic change.