Researchers gather to curb global plastic pollution crisis

Humanshave produced as much as 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic and it doesn't always and up in the landfill.

Studies suggest four to 12 million tonnesof plastic are dumped inthe ocean every year, leading many researches to refer to the pollution as an ecological crisis.

"After climate change, this is the biggest global problem to mankind," said Mats Linder, a project manager at theU.K.-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "The urgency cannot be understated."

• Humans have produced 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic, researchers say
• Plastics dumped in world's oceans estimated at 8M tonnes annually
• Fish cut nearly in half by plastic garbage draws outrage and isn't as rare as you'd hope

Linder was one of dozens of researchers and stakeholders summoned to Metro Vancouver's annual Zero Waste Conference, which bringsleaders from across the world to share ideas and discuss solutions to the global waste problem.

Linder's mission is simple, but daunting: eliminate plastic waste across the globe.

Achieving that goal might not happen for a long time but he says the transition is happeningnow.

New Plastics Economy

Linder is part of the New Plastics Economy an initiative that cultivates pioneer projects aimed at reducingthe use of plastic.

Small-scale projects that the group has incubated include seaweed-based packaging for food that is completely compostable, as well as one-piece paper cups that eliminate the need for plastic lids.

The end goal is forthese projects to be scaled up, and he says big industry stakeholders are beginning to take note.

He says the group has been working alongside six major corporations including PepsiCo and the Coca-Cola Company that all vowed to transition to 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025.

"I'm quite optimistic about the role that the big companies are playing, they definitely need to play the role," said Linder."They are, and they have to be, in the lead for the transformation."

Vancouver moving forward

Several initiatives in Vancouver areunderway that are also aimed at reducing plastics making their way into landfills and into the environment.

The Vancouver Aquarium-based Ocean Pollution Research Program isresearching the impactof micro-plastics in the ocean. Metro Vancouver andMountain Equipment Co-op are also involved in the collaboration, which launched in 2014.

The City of Vancouver has also jumped into the fray. Earlier this year, city council openedpublic consultations to reduce the amount of one-time use items including coffee cups, plastic bags, and foam containers.

• Banning certain items was not ruled out by council

• City of Vancouver inches towards ban on coffee cups, foam containers