Representations from 175 countries together with 1500 scientists have gathered since yesterday at its headquarters UNESCO in Paris and they meet under his auspices UN with the aim of devising a strategy against plastic pollution. Ban or recycle? Plastic waste pollution is the new nightmare.

After all, a look around us is enough to see that artificial materials are everywhere: in disposable pens, in our glasses, in our phone case, in our shoes, even in some clothes, but also in the plastic shopping bag and of course in the water bottle. Plastic has served us for years, we are addicted. We cannot do without it and let the planet starve of non-recyclable plastics.

Only 9% is recycled

The meeting of delegations and scientists in the French capital will last until the end of the week, when they will announce some initial conclusions on the means of dealing with plastic pollution. The battle is expected to be tough. The numbers on plastic waste cause anxiety and stress. The French have calculated that their annual weight is equivalent to …35,000 Eiffel Towers.

The amount of plastics has doubled worldwide in 20 years and could triple again by 2060. Currently only 9% is recycled. And this despite the promises of industrialists and petrochemical giants to invest in recycling. However, many are optimistic. They say “the war on plastic has just begun”.