According to a global survey released on Tuesday, more than 75% of people want a ban on single-use plastics implemented as soon as possible. Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are only useful once before being discarded or recycled. Plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda, water bottles, and most food packaging are examples of these goods.
This comes as members of the United Nations gather to begin discussions on a global pact to reduce plastic pollution in the atmosphere.
Activists believe the findings send a strong message to governments meeting in Nairobi this month to go forward with an ambitious accord to combat plastic waste. It is being hailed as the most important environmental agreement since the 2015 Paris Climate agreement.
Since 2019, the number of people requesting a ban has increased from 71% to 80%. The percentage of individuals who prefer items with less plastic packaging has climbed from 75% to 82 percent.
More than 20,000 people from 28 countries voted in the IPSOS poll.
“Individuals worldwide have made their views clear. The onus and alternative are now on governments to undertake a world plastics treaty … so we are able to remove plastic air pollution,” said Marco Lambertini, WWF Worldwide’s director basic.
Around 90% of those polled were in favor of a treaty. But only time will tell if a settlement can reach about waste collection, recycling, and other issues. It may also put restrictions on the production and use of certain plastics.
According to the IPSOS poll, 85 percent of global respondents want makers and merchants to be accountable for reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic packaging. This is an increase from the previous figure of 80%.