Plastics matter in the food system.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Food Systems Analysis
• Policy Studies

Background:

• Agriculture and food systems are significant contributors to global plastic pollution.
• These systems are also highly vulnerable to the multifaceted impacts of plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.
• The pervasive issue of plastic pollution in food systems is underrepresented in global policy and scientific monitoring efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical opportunity presented by the United Nations-led Global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution across the entire lifecycle.
• To propose aspirational indicators for enhanced monitoring of plastics within food systems.
• To advocate for interdisciplinary research and cross-sectoral collaboration to manage plastic pollution impacts on food systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of aspirational indicators for monitoring food system plastics, categorized into four key areas: plastic polymers and chemicals, land use, trade and waste, and environmental and human health.
• Review of current scientific discourse and policy agendas concerning plastic pollution in food systems.
• Call for interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Main Results:

• Identification of four key areas for monitoring food system plastics: polymers/chemicals, land use, trade/waste, and health.
• Emphasis on the Global Plastics Treaty as a crucial platform for addressing plastic pollution in food systems.
• Recognition of the need for harmonized evidence bases for tracking plastics and chemicals.

Conclusions:

• The Global Plastics Treaty offers a vital opportunity to integrate plastic pollution management into sustainable and resilient food systems.
• Establishing comprehensive monitoring indicators across specified domains is essential for effective policy and research.
• Urgent, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral action is required to mitigate the systemic risks of plastic pollution to biodiversity, climate, food security, and human health.