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are now enforcing bans on single- MF: The COPs sound interesting. « Multilateralism is under pressure
use plastic bags, such as Kenya, or What else apart from marine
be it the many countries which plastic waste is on the agenda?
are collectively throwing human RP: Both the Rotterdam and but is definitely not dead! »
and financial resources into Stockholm conventions will also
international processes aiming work on the possible listing of
at tackling this global problem more chemicals either for further
in a coordinated and connected controls or outright restriction.
manner. But there is more that can This is done through a robust
be done, and I am confident more scientific review process. They
would be done. The observation will be deciding upon chemicals
of plastic particles in our food found in fire extinguishers, non-
should not be taken lightly. stick cookware, and other items
we use at home – for example
MF: Can you say more? in stain-resistant textiles such as
RP: Of course. For example, carpets - and which have been
Norway, a country you feature found to be linked to major health
elsewhere in this magazine, issues such as kidney cancer,
has been quite instrumental in testicular cancer, thyroid disease,
providinginternationalleadership, pregnancy-inducedhypertension,
and also financial resources, and high cholesterol.
to help engage governments
and stimulate UN efforts to pull together state-of-the-art MF: Non-stick pans? What can people do then, at the
information, analysis of policy gaps, and the discussion of individual level, to protect themselves and their families
potential governance options, for tackling marine plastic from these “invisible hazards”?
pollution, including through the Basel Convention. In fact, RP: Well, once aware, people can do a host of things which
a growing group of countries, both in the developed and will lower their own exposure, and at the same time benefit
developing world, are calling for clear and tangible action on the environment. Some of these actions might even save them
the issue of plastics. It is one area, they declare, that we have money! Changing habits is the first step. Choose cooking
had enough talk – we now need impactful action – and I agree pans with safer coatings, for example. Cutting down on waste
with them. For this reason, I am very excited that the meeting is a no brainer!
of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention will Especially avoiding single-use plastics and by reusing or
be considering a range of concrete actions to address this recycling as much as one can. In some circles some consumers
issue, including a proposal for more comprehensive coverage have adopted the slogan - If it can’t be reused or recycled,
of the plastic wastes moved across borders. refuse it!
MF: What meeting is that?? At our COPs we will also be encouraging all delegates to
RP: Every two years the parties (governments) come together walk the walk. For many years now, our meetings have been
to take decisions on the sound management of chemicals and paperless, we have also made them carbon-neutral, and since
waste, within the legal framework of the three international last year we have increased our efforts in reducing wastes and
conventions – the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm eliminating the use of single-use plastic materials. This year,
conventions. Those decisions should then be given effect in we will be asking the delegates to BYOBottle: Bring Your
those countries that are parties to those conventions. This Own Bottle – as there will indeed be no plastic water bottles
year, our Triple Conference of the Parties (or COPs) will available or sold.
run from 29 April to 10 May under the banner of “Clean Interview with
Planet Healthy People” and we hope that it will send a strong MF: Wonderful! Dr Payet, thank you for explaining all
message that we indeed need to clean up our planet for the about chemicals and waste, good luck with those important
sake of the health of all. decisions at the COPs, and we look forward to hearing Mr Hans
positive outcomes for human health and environment very
Our message is that even if wastes are being dumped far soon.
away from where we got rid of them, in remote locations, RP: Thank you Marit, it has been a pleasure. I urge
there is clear scientific evidence that their hazards come anyone interested in finding out more, including our
back through our air, food and water. If there is one thing colleagues from the media, to consult our websites at www. Brattskar
on our planet that we cannot hide – it is our waste. Sooner brsmeas.org or to follow us on Twitter @brsmeas •
or later it will be washed up on our coasts, turn up in our
food, in the air we breathe. I challenge anyone to bring me a Ambassador of Norway to the United Nations Office
glass of naturally collected water which does not contain any
manmade chemical or microplastic! and other international organizations in Geneva

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