Call for submission | Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights | Lifecycle of plastics and human rights (deadline 31 March)

Plastic pollution is one of the most serious and alarming environmental issues of our time. The plastics lifecycle impacts human rights at various stages, including extraction and transport of oil and gas and other raw materials for plastics; production and release of toxics to the air and water; use and exposure of consumers; and disposal, including incineration and air emissions and dumping of toxic ash. The plastics crisis is of a global magnitude and affects a broad range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, science, housing, and a healthy environment.

As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, a human rights-based and precautionary approach applied to the whole lifecycle of plastics is critical to prevent and redress the negative human rights impacts of plastic pollution. At every stage of the plastics lifecycle, solutions should be centered on the respect and full enjoyment of human rights.

The Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights is gathering inputs from States and Stakeholders to inform his thematic report on the lifecycle of plastics and human rights. The report will be presented to the 76^th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021. The Special Rapporteur kindly requests States, civil society organizations, academics, UN agencies, business enterprises, consumers’ organizations and all other interested parties to share views and relevant information, which could feed his work. The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2021.