Are Plastic Credits Helping Solve Waste or Just Greenwashing?
As the UN gathers to discuss a global treaty on plastic pollution, many countries and companies are showing support for a system similar to carbon credits — allowing plastic waste to be offset rather than directly reduced.
Africa-(Special / Web Desk) – The world produces around 400 million tons of plastic waste every year — more than the weight of every person on Earth combined. Shockingly, only 9% is ever recycled, and some reports warn that plastic-related emissions could triple by 2050.
UN Struggles to Finalize a Plastic Pollution Treaty
Since 2022, the United Nations has been working on a global treaty aimed at reducing plastic waste. But the talks often break down — mainly over whether to place limits on plastic production. Activists say oil-rich nations, which rely on plastics made from fossil fuels, are blocking progress.
Market-Based Fixes: A Shortcut or Smart Move?
With the treaty stalled, organizations like the World Bank are turning to market-based solutions. One of the main options being pushed is plastic offsetting, which works in a similar way to carbon credits.
What Are Plastic Credits?
Plastic credits allow companies to pay for plastic waste collection and recycling to “offset” the amount of plastic they produce. For example, if a company funds the removal of one tone of plastic, it earns one plastic credit. By buying enough credits, companies can claim to be “plastic neutral” or “net zero” on plastic waste.
Do Plastic Credits Actually Work?
Experts are skeptical. Just like the carbon credit market, plastic credits are controversial. Investigations show that in some cases, the collected plastic is burned in cement factories, releasing toxic gases and carbon emissions — rather than being recycled.
In one report, only 14% of plastic credits actually went toward proper recycling.
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Big plastic producers like ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical are backing plastic credit programs. They’re part of initiatives in places like Ghana and Indonesia, where plastic pollution is high. These companies argue that plastic has benefits, and they don’t support production caps or bans.
Many experts and local leaders say plastic credits are just a distraction from real solutions. They argue it allows companies to avoid reducing plastic use, while still appearing eco-friendly.
Even major brands like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Unilever have stepped away from using plastic credits, saying they’re not effective enough.
In places like Ghana, poor communities rely on plastic waste collection for survival. Local leaders say that money spent on plastic credits would be better used to support waste pickers directly — not fund large offset programs.
As Johnson Doe, a leader of a waste collector group in Accra, puts it: Plastic credits are a false solution. We need real support, not promises.
Real Change or Just Clever Marketing?
Plastic credits may sound like an easy fix, but critics warn they might do more harm than good if not regulated properly. As the UN continues talks, the big question remains:
Will world leaders tackle plastic production head-on, or rely on short-term solutions like offsetting?
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