The world is literally drowning in plastic. It is estimated that the oceans contain 5.25 trillion particles of plastic with a weight of over 270,000 metric tons. And the problem is only getting worse despite our best efforts. The World Economic Forum estimates that plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish by 2050. This plastic ends up in our environment, our water, animals, and ultimately in us. A recent study found microplastics in every single stool sample taken from eight participants around the world in Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Austria. Another study found that fish in Hong Kong were ingesting plastic which could end up in humans. And another found that microplastic contamination in bottled water was nearly universal. Still yet another study from Italy found plastic contamination in soda.
Chupa Chups are the world's most popular lollipops. In 2003 (the most recent update on Wikipedia), there were 4 billion lollipops sold each year across 150 countries. Every one of these comes with a non-biodegradable, "convenient", plastic stick. It is easy to imagine that, given the massive number of sticks produced each year, many of these find their way into our oceans, water supply, and food chain.
Given the ever-worsening plastic crisis, each of us - and every company - needs to think about how we can reduce the plastic load finding its way into us. Demand that Perfetti Van Melle Group B.V., a privately held global manufacturer of confectionery and gum, act responsibly and stop making Chupa Chups with plastic sticks. They must start using bio-degradable material for their sticks as soon as possible.
