CBCGDF "Peoples vs. Plastics" Project, a Pioneering Initiative Designed to Address the Pervasive Issue of Plastic Pollution

The "Peoples vs. Plastics" project, spearheaded by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), is a pioneering initiative designed to address the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Launched in alignment with the 2024 World Earth Day theme "Planet vs. Plastics," this project exemplifies an innovative approach to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which focuses on conserving and sustainably managing the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

The success of the "Peoples vs. Plastics" project can be attributed to its unique strategies across three key areas:

1. New Ways of Working: The project has embraced a novel approach to mobilizing a diverse range of stakeholders, including the general public, local communities, youth, and women. By making participation accessible and inclusive, it empowers individuals from various backgrounds to take ownership of environmental stewardship. This inclusive model not only broadens the base of support but also integrates environmental governance into everyday life, making the fight against plastic pollution a collective responsibility. Plus, the project made extensive use of social media. For example, it involved categorizing and analyzing collected plastic waste to identify which brands were the most problematic. This information was then shared on social media, tagging the relevant companies and urging them to make improvements. Additionally, through social media, the project mobilized a large number of people to actively participate.

2. Innovative Methods: "Peoples vs. Plastics" combines traditional and innovative methods to combat plastic pollution. The project organizes routine clean-up activities along rivers and coastal areas, a proven strategy for removing plastic waste from critical habitats. However, it also introduces groundbreaking approaches such as environmental public interest litigation. By filing lawsuits against companies for excessive packaging and against food delivery services for defaulting large amounts of single-use cutlery, the project has driven legislative changes in several Chinese cities. These legal actions have transformed the advocacy for plastic reduction into enforceable policies and laws, effectively integrating "plastic reduction" into the legislative framework.

3. New Partnerships: The project has successfully forged new partnerships with local communities and schools. By involving rural women and young people, "Peoples vs. Plastics" taps into grassroots support and fosters a sense of community ownership over environmental issues. These partnerships not only enhance the project’s reach but also ensure that its impacts are felt across various segments of society, from urban centers to rural areas.

4. Actively participating in global plastic pollution governance. For example, we have actively engaged in the past 4 rounds of negotiations on the plastic pollution treaty; and submitted a proposal to INC-3, urging attention to the role of waste-pickers in plastic pollution management and advocating for fairer treatment of these crucial contributors.

Overall, the "Peoples vs. Plastics" project stands out as a transformative initiative in the fight against marine pollution. Its innovative approaches in engaging diverse stakeholders, employing both traditional and novel methods, and building meaningful partnerships highlight its effectiveness in advancing SDG 14. By fostering widespread participation and driving systemic change, this project offers a compelling example of how new strategies can make a significant impact on global environmental challenges.

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Reference:

Reduce and pick plastics reduce marine pollution

https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/reduce-and-pick-plastics-reduce-marine-pollution

Celebrating World Environment Day 2023: CBCGDF’s Efforts in BeatPlasticPollution via Urging Takeouts to Reduce Waste of Disposable Utensils 

http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/NewsShow/5007/23427.html

Picking up plastic in the rain to protect the river, just for the river to be more beautiful | "Peoples vs. Plastics" in Action

https://www.kepuchina.cn/article/articleinfo?business_type=100&classify=0&ar_id=491113 

Proposed response template on written submissions prior to INC-3

https://resolutions.unep.org/resolutions/uploads/cbcgdf_a_10082023.pdf

Reported by Wendy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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