Statistically, the world consumes about 396 million tons of plastic waste annually. Unfortunately, only 25% of this plastic waste is recycled, leaving out the 300 million tons of plastic in nature.
As a result, pollution can be found on bodies of water and landscapes, putting wildlife at risk and in danger. This problem has a significantly damaging effect on islands, maritime nations, and marginalized communities.
To solve a decade-long pollution problem, companies around the globe must achieve plastic neutrality by removing and recovering plastics from nature. One commercial property, 11 Tampines Concourse by City Developments Limited (CDL) and Seven Clean Seas (SCS), has achieved plastic neutrality certification.
Receiving plastic neutrality certification
Apart from receiving certification on plastic neutrality, CDL decrease their plastic usage by reviewing the annual plastic used, manufacturing, hotspots, and plastic trash composition. They have extended the plastic credit market through the SCS’s initiative to neutralize and remove plastics from the ocean. Because of this, CDL is the first real estate firm in the world to be awarded a plastic neutrality certificate.
CDL Chief Esther An shared that the ocean collects 90% of the heat and 30% of the carbon dioxide created by human activity. In light of that situation and the problem of pollution on the environment, she says that this initiative is a response to curb the problem.
Meanwhile, Singapore-based marine cleanup organization, SCS, has collected approximately 180,000kg of plastic waste from the water environment since its launch in 2018. In addition, they focus on infrastructure and technological solutions to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean.
This has inspired people to make life sustainable by choosing products they support. One such company, Datu Puti from the Philippines, was also rewarded with plastic neutrality certification by Plastic Credit Exchange.
Photo credit: The photos used are owned by CDL x SCS and have been provided for press usage.
Sources: Simple Switch / BusinessWorld
