TCoPS - 4

WWF'S CALL FOR
COLLECTIVE
GLOBAL
ACTION
The unique properties of plastic have led to it taking an
important role in society. Unfortunately, the production,
consumption and disposal of this material impose significant
negative impacts on society, the environment, and the
economy. These costs are not accounted for in the current
price of virgin plastic. As this report shows, the cost of plastic
to the environment and society is at least 10 times higher
than its market price paid by primary plastic producers,
generating significant external costs for countries. The failure
of governments to better understand the real costs of plastic
has led to poor management of this material, and growing
ecological, social, and economic costs for countries. The
cost of the plastic produced in 2019 will be at least US$3.7
trillion (+/-US$1 trillion) over its estimated lifetime. The
current global approach to addressing the plastic crisis is
failing. Unless urgent action is taken, the societal lifetime cost
of the plastic produced in 2040 could reach US$7.1 trillion
(+/-US$2.2 trillion), equivalent to approximately 85% of
global spending on health in 2018 and greater than the gross
domestic product (GDP) of Germany, Canada, and Australia
in 2019 combined.
Now, is a critical moment for governments to
ensure that all actors in the plastic system are held
accountable for the cost imposed by the plastic
lifecycle on nature and people.
TCoPS

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of TCoPS
