Plastic pollution around the world has now taken a terrifying form. In recent years, scientists have found the existence of microplastics in places on the ocean floor that were previously unimaginable.
In this context, in 2026, the international community is on the verge of implementing a historic ‘Global Plastics Agreement’. How is this agreement and new technology protecting the ocean ecosystem?
Plastic production has increased several times in the last few decades. Of these, single-use plastic is the most harmful. The main aim of this new global agreement is to stop plastic from entering the ocean completely by 2040. Under the agreement, rich countries cannot send their plastic waste to poor countries. Each country must work on better managing its own waste.
Role of technology: This crisis cannot be solved with legal obligations alone. Therefore, scientists have invented advanced technologies like ‘The Ocean Cleanup’.
Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to map where the most waste is accumulating in the ocean. Special automated robots are being used to collect plastic from rivers so that it does not mix with the ocean.
In addition, ‘bio-plastic’ is being produced in laboratories, which is produced from seaweed or mushrooms. When this plastic mixes with soil or water, it decomposes within a few weeks and does not harm the environment.
Future prospects: This agreement will lead to the expansion of the circular economy around the world. Companies are now being forced to create product packaging in a way that can be recycled repeatedly. According to environmentalists, if this trend continues, we will be able to build a plastic-free world within the next decade.
