There are a number of serious environmental issues we need to come together to take care of. Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent. The global nature of the problem and sheer scale means no single country could tackle it alone. However, so far it has been a huge challenge to get an agreement in place. We want to have a closer look here, then if you need skip hire in Redcar from a team that manages plastic waste effectively, speak to us.
The plastic crisis
Before we look at the attempts to agree a plan to tackle the issue, let’s look at the figures to showcase how bad the problem is. Globally, we produce around 460 million tonnes of plastic every year according to the UN. Production is ramping up too, with higher demands for packaging and various other products.
Disappointingly, the OECD says only a relatively small amount of plastic is recycled (9%). The rest goes into landfill, is burnt in incinerators, or becomes environmental pollution. Estimates claim over 190 million tonnes of plastics is in bodies of water around the world, from oceans to local rivers.
At L&C, we do our best to help manage plastic waste. When we find it in our skips, we sort it carefully to ensure we recycle as much as possible. Our green credentials are one of the main reasons we are the top name for skip hire in Redcar and other parts of the region.
No agreement
At the UN Environment Assembly in 2022 there was an agreement to create a treaty to tackle plastic pollution. As a result, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was set up to develop it. Since then, there have been numerous INC meetings to discuss the issue. The first was in Uruguay towards the end of 2022. More recently, there were two meetings in the fifth session (in Korea near the end of 2024 and August 2025 in Switzerland). Sadly, a final agreement is nowhere near, and the latest meeting ended in controversy.
The INC meetings show there are serious roadblocks in the way of any kind agreement. Firstly, there is a difference of opinion on what rules to introduce. One group of countries want to regulate the full lifecycle of plastic. An opposing group want the agreement to be voluntary and only to cover waste management. Crucially, a number of countries don’t want any limits on production.
Another issue is the meetings have become a battleground. Lobbyists for the fossil fuel and petro-chem industries attend to sway opinion. Critics say many in attendance at the latest meeting were there simply to detail the negotiations and prevent agreement. As a result, there is very little chance of a treaty as it stands.
Do you want eco-friendly skip hire in Redcar?
At L&C we take our commitment to the environment seriously. Our ultimate goal is to save as many resources as we can and turn waste into new products. That is why we take the time to sort everything that comes to our facility in our skips. Whether it is metals, timbers, bricks, soil, or even plastics, we’re proactive. If there is any rubbish we can’t send to recycle, we’ll ensure safe, proper disposal.
So, get in touch today or book online if you need skip hire in Redcar. We can provide services for various projects, including domestic and commercial. You can also ask us for advice if you’re unsure about different kinds of waste.