Bridging Rights and Responsibilities

Tackling Plastic Pollution together with the Informal Sector

Event Date: 26 September 2024 at 9:00 – 10:00AM

Event Location: UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

2024 is a pivotal year for efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution. Member States have engaged in four sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Tackling the plastic pollution crisis requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic. Recently adopted Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) laws and policies in the Asia-Pacific region will enforce the ‘Polluters Pay Principle’ and require plastic manufacturers to be responsible for plastic waste separate collection and recycling. This work is currently largely carried out by informal waste work forces. To ensure a just as well as effective transition to sustainable waste management in Asia and the Pacific it will be crucial to include the informal waste and recycling sector in solutions.

Session Objective

The session Bridging Rights and Responsibilities: Tackling Plastic Pollution together with the Informal Sector aims to empower businesses to integrate human rights considerations into their strategies to combat plastic pollution, contributing to sustainable development and the fulfillment and protection of human rights. The session will specifically look at the recommendations from a new UNEP report and aims to inspire businesses to take a leading role in addressing plastic pollution through a human right-based approach, such as including waste pickers and the informal sector in solutions and contributing to a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Access to remedies for communities affected by plastic pollution is another important aspect of a human rights-based approach. This is still an area which needs to be explored further within the plastics sector and EPR. The session will therefore also explore the right to access remedies for damage caused by the plastic sector and how this is linked to the inclusion and participation of informal workers.

Click here to access the official agenda and to find more information about the session. Click here to read more about the session.