Data-led approach to sustainability and tackling ocean debris in Peru

Working with Earthwatch reveals the extent of the marine debris problem, but highlights the role that data can provide in provoking change

Peru, like many other coastal countries, has a marine debris problem. Everything from discarded fishing nets and equipment, to food packaging, car parts and clothing, is regularly finding its way into the oceans. Off the coast of Peru is the unsightly Pacific Garbage Patch.

The scale of the problem is well-documented, but still makes for shocking reading; around the globe, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans each year and has a profound effect on wildlife and delicate natural ecosystems.

We want to understand more about how to tackle the problem, which led to our partnership with the international field research team at Earthwatch for the past 18 years. This includes an annual expedition to areas of the world requiring hands-on environmental support. With a significant marine debris problem, Peru was a clear candidate for further study.

New data leads the way

We are rightly concerned about the amount of waste in the seas but, to date, there has been very little data collected to document the build-up of waste on land, and how it subsequently ends up entering oceans. The key objective of our most recent expedition was to close this gap. During the expedition, a data collection programme was developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to record ocean debris in a consistent, scientific manner. This data-driven approach to mapping and tackling ocean debris involves the following steps:

1. Understanding the baseline

Our team of 15 highly motivated Amcor people looked at 186 transects (points or paths of study) along a 257km length of coast, running from the capital, Lima, to Paracas further south. We discovered and documented 14,905 pieces of litter within this area. None of the inland, river or coastal sites we surveyed was litter-free. If you were to extrapolate the amount of litter along Peru’s coast, you’d get a simply staggering 273 billion items. This gives you a fair idea of the problem in Peru alone.

2. Understanding what drives the levels of litter we saw

The sites we investigated were carefully selected by the CSIRO team based on their population density, infrastructure, poverty and education levels, land use and coastal proximity. By understanding the socio-economic factors that drive pollution, and how this interacts with other factors such as site characteristics, we can identify the levers to pull to solve the issue at its roots, and drive lasting change. Also, it allows us to make predictions about debris flows in other areas, and how effective certain measures may be in preventing them.

3. Pushing for policy change

With this comprehensive body of knowledge, the team has the tools to make more informed recommendations to governments, industry, funders, and civil society groups, and to initiate measures to remedy the flow of litter into oceans. Of course, success depends on training and partnering with local institutions to promote viable solutions, and continuing to build a strong baseline of information that can evaluate policy effectiveness over time.

Building a long-term solution

Our partnership with Earthwatch helps our people grasp the scale of the challenge we are collectively facing. Working with the CSIRO allows us to capture facts that will lead to workable solutions. By pooling resources to conduct similar studies around the world, manufacturers have a real opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to positive change, to shine a light upon known issues, and to put in place long-term social, economic and governmental solutions that can make a significant difference.

It’s expeditions like ours with Earthwatch that can help prompt action. Having studied this growing issue for many years, Amcor became the first global packaging company pledging to develop all its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025. It’s clear that manufacturers have a significant part to play, and we are encouraged to see major global brands making similar pledges to create a circular economy for plastic packaging.

Creating real change goes far beyond packaging production, especially when much of what we make has the potential to recyclable or reusable if infrastructure is in place.

What is needed is a major shift in human behavior to stop the needless accumulation of litter and to encourage effective recycling – and that is another area where global organizations can provide a path for others to follow.

To find out more about Amcor’s commitment to sustainability, click here.