Norway to provide 2 million NOK to support new international partnership on plastic waste

Some 2 billion people worldwide lack access to basic waste management services. Less than 10% of all plastic waste every produced worldwide has been recycled according to a report from GRID-Arendal.

- Plastic waste dumped or otherwise ending up in our oceans is a serious environmental problem, with large impacts on biodiversity, nature and human well-being. Better waste management systems is key in the short-term to stop plastic waste entering our oceans. This partnership will be instrumental in getting action on the ground in areas most affected. I am glad to announce that Norway will take a leading role in the Partnership, Minister of Climate and Environment Ole Elvestuen says.

- The Norwegian contribution comes at a critical moment in time when we need stronger collaboration between government and private sector. The Parties to the Basel Convention have asked for concrete action, and with this high calling, we will deliver concrete results for a clean planet and healthier people, says Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention.

Important waste management agreement

Better waste management systems is the single most important measure to prevent discharge of plastic waste into the environment and ultimately in the ocean. This Partnership will bring about new solutions for better waste management through pilot project in partner countries and bring about more awareness on this issue globally. Good experiences already exist from this model of collaboration in other areas under the mandate of the Basel convention.

Norway is taking a leading role.

The global generation of plastic waste will increase in the coming years. It is urgent to get in place better systems. Based on a proposal by Norway, the Parties to the Basel Convention established this partnership in May this year. The Partnership will bring together actors across the entire value chain, promote better collection and management of plastic waste, engage in pilot projects, share information, experiences and solutions. Governments, business, civil society and academia can be part of the Partnership. Projects can take place on local level, but also on a global level engaging larger multinational corporations.

Big interest in the partnership.

More than 100 members have already joined the Partnership, even before the official launch on 12^th of November in Geneva. Partners will also address how regulatory frameworks and policies impact on human health, the environment, and economic and social development. The Partnership will also aim at engaging private sector in finding innovative solutions and better design of plastic products that will stay longer in the plastics value chain.

- Private sector must take their full responsibility for products put on the market. We have long-standing experiences in Norway with Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes. This Partnership will be an important tool for engaging with private sector actors on a global level, says Minister Elvestuen.