WUF: Preventions of Single-Use Plastics towards Sustainable Consumption

Plastic is one of the fastest-growing pollutants in the world. The way we currently design, produce and consume plastics is not sustainable and inefficient. The massive production and consumption of plastics, especially single-use plastic products, have contributed significantly to the plastic pollution crisis. Single-use or disposable plastics are typically used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.

These items are also often discarded in streets and parks and pose a serious environmental problem worldwide. Single-use plastics are responsible for a large part of overconsumption, mismanagement, and pollution problems. Plastic pollution impacts our ecosystems, endangers animal lives, and also threatens human health. The impacts of plastic litter, especially of single-use and disposable items, are growing as each year more plastic waste accumulates in our environment and oceans. Plastic items do not go away; they simply break down into increasingly smaller pieces, can release toxic chemicals into the environment, and will take centuries to degrade.

Tackling this problem and promoting a sustainable use of plastics requires a drastic reduction of plastic production, particularly of single-use, low-value, and disposable plastics. Therefore, Shah Alam City under the administrative and management of Shah Alam City Council will commit to achieving Malaysia's aims and goals towards plastic sustainability stated in Malaysia Plastics sustainability Roadmap 2021 – 2030 by adopting three key innovation strategies, which are Phase Out, Reuse and Material Circulation. 

The discussion in this session will look at different initiatives to avoid single-use plastic. One approach is to look at what measures can be taken by cities and public authorities to solve the problem of plastic waste. Another approach is the PREVENT Waste Alliance, which brings together the private sector, academia, civil society, and public institutions worldwide to minimize waste, eliminate pollutants and maximize the reuse of resources in the economy worldwide.

To register to participate in WUF 11, please click here.