In the vast, interconnected web of global food systems, an often-overlooked player is quietly wreaking havoc: plastic. From the fields to the dinner table, plastics are not just a byproduct but a pervasive presence, and their impacts are far-reaching and complex. A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment, the English translation of which is ‘Communications Earth & Environment’, sheds light on this issue, urging a comprehensive approach to tackle plastic pollution in agriculture and food systems. The study is led by Joe Yates, a researcher at the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
Plastics in the food system are a double-edged sword. They are essential for packaging, protecting crops, and extending shelf life, but they also pose significant environmental and health risks. “Agriculture and food systems are major sources of plastic pollution but they are also vulnerable to their diverse lifecycle impacts,” Yates explains. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the lack of recognition in global policy and scientific discourse, which often overlooks the intricate relationship between plastics and food systems.
The United Nations-led Global Plastics Treaty, under negotiation since 2022, presents a pivotal opportunity to address this issue. The treaty aims to create a more sustainable and resilient food system by tackling plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle. Yates and his colleagues propose a set of aspirational indicators for monitoring plastics in food systems, focusing on four key areas: plastic polymers and chemicals, land use, trade and waste, and environmental and human health.
These indicators are not just academic exercises; they have real-world implications for industries, including the energy sector. The energy sector, which is intrinsically linked to the production and disposal of plastics, stands to gain from a more circular and sustainable approach to plastics management. By reducing plastic waste and improving recycling rates, the energy sector can decrease its reliance on fossil fuels, a significant source of plastic production. This shift could lead to substantial cost savings and a more sustainable energy mix.
The study also underscores the need for interdisciplinary research collaborations to improve and harmonize the evidence base necessary to track and trace plastics and plastic chemicals in food systems. This call to action is a reminder that tackling plastic pollution requires a whole-systems approach, involving collaboration across disciplines and sectors. “We also highlight the need for collaboration across disciplines and sectors to tackle this urgent challenge for biodiversity, climate change, food security and nutrition, health and human rights at a whole systems level,” Yates emphasizes.
The implications of this research are vast. For the energy sector, it could mean a shift towards more sustainable practices, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and fostering innovation in waste management and recycling technologies. For policymakers, it offers a roadmap for integrating plastics management into broader sustainability goals. For consumers, it could lead to safer, more sustainable food systems.
As the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations continue, the findings of this study serve as a timely reminder of the urgent need to address plastic pollution in the food system. By embracing a holistic approach, we can create a more sustainable future for all.