Prevention is Better than Cure
Here at PAPP we are typically concerned with the mountains of plastic waste on beaches. But we are also working to prevent the problem in the first place.
We were delighted this week ro see LIDL reveal its plans:
“24th February, 2020: Lidl will next month become the first UK supermarket to launch new packaging using “ocean bound plastic”, plastic that would have otherwise ended up in the ocean, collected from beaches and coastline around South East Asia. “
What is Ocean Bound Plastic?
This is a good move, and there press release does contain explanation with regards to definition of plastic capture.
“Ocean bound plastic is plastic found within 50km (30 miles) of an ocean coastline or major waterway that feeds into the ocean. This is specific to countries and regions that lack waste management infrastructure, often those places that have been overwhelmed by population growth or tourism. There is also a significant risk to wildlife if plastic contaminates their ecosystem. “
The project called “Project STOP” one example given is the mismanagement of wastes in Banyuwangi in Indonesia, where 78% of waste is disposed of in bad ways, with some being dumped in to rivers.
By lending support to local governments in the efforts to management waste, LIDL hope to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean.
Potential Problems
Our main concern would be the onward duty of care. Waste can often change hands many times after is created. Waste can cross international borders, and many regulatory regimes, before it is finally recycled or disposed of. We hope that these common duty of care pitfalls do not plague this worthy project. And look forward the the first set of detailed reports describing the scheme.
Given the Competition & Markets Authority recent guidance on green claims, and the level of data required to substantiate, LIDL have made a bold move in undertaking such a project given the record keeping requirements, the geo-spatial disparity and given traceability issues within the waste industry.
We wish LIDL and Project STOP the very best of luck.
If you would like us to help clean Plastic From Remote Beaches please: