The world is drowning in plastic pollution. Consumption of plastic has quadrupled in the last 30 years. Without action, plastic pollution is set to double over the next 20 years and triple by 2060. If we allow this to happen, the negative impacts on human health and the environment will only worsen. In Rwanda, we have seen firsthand the devastating effects of plastic pollution. Clogged rivers and drains, degraded farmland and dead cattle are just some of the impacts we experienced. That’s why, in 2008, we passed a law to ban plastic bags, and in 2019 banned single-use plastics, becoming one of the first countries to do so. But despite these efforts, the problem of plastic pollution persists. Plastic pollution not only harms the environment, but also has serious implications for human health. Microplastics have been found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. Many plastic products contain hazardous chemicals that may pose a threat to our health. Studies have shown that plastic pollution is linked to cancer, birth defects, and other serious health problems. It is for these reasons that we need an ambitious global plastic treaty with shared obligations for reducing plastic production - one that bans unnecessary plastics, creates strict standards that supercharge the global circular economy, and inspires a massive effort to clean up the plastic we’ve already dumped into our environment. A comprehensive top-down approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic is needed if we are to achieve a sustainable, long-term solution - from oil well to end of life. Since 1950, 9.2 billion tons of plastic waste have been generated, and less than 10% has been recycled. This is unacceptable. We need a treaty that addresses plastic production with obligations and control measures at the upstream level to avoid the release of plastic waste into marine and terrestrial environments. This will also enable us to deal with legacy plastic already damaging life on earth and polluting our environment. The good news is that we have the science and solutions to tackle plastic pollution. What we need now is the political will to speed up actions from governments, companies, and other stakeholders to solve this crisis. A global plastic treaty is the critical piece of the puzzle to reduce current and future environmental damage and ensure that plastics are produced and managed using the highest environmental standards. As a co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution with Norway, Rwanda stands alongside more than 55 other nations that are committed to an ambitious international legally binding instrument. Our common goal is to end plastic pollution by 2040. The coalition's membership represents nations from all regions of the world, uniting to find solutions to this crisis, and signifies the immense support that exists in the fight against plastic pollution. If done right, the treaty will not only benefit us and our environment; it will create well-paying green jobs, attract greater investment in circular businesses, and facilitate the adoption of new technologies in plastic production and waste management. Today’s World Environment Day focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. This is an opportunity to showcase how countries, businesses, and individuals are learning to refuse plastics, use it more sustainably and mobilise action from every corner of the world. We do not need to wait for the treaty to take meaningful action - as countries and individuals - to reduce plastic use in our everyday lives at home and at work. Let us be inspired by this year’s World Environment Day to make a change. It's time for all of us to take responsibility and act now to address the plastic pollution crisis. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to turn off the tap and end plastic pollution once and for all. Rwanda and the members of the High Ambition Coalition are ready to play our part. Let's act now and say, No to plastic pollution! Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya is Rwanda’s Minister of Environment.
