“In Malawi, we see burning and dumping of plastic waste everyday, harming people’s health and increasing the risk of flooding. These negotiations have shown that change is coming, but it will not come easily. There are some who profit from this plastic crisis and want to keep ambition as low as possible. But citizens around the world are demanding change, and many governments are listening, recognising that justice for those most affected must be a core part of this treaty.” - Dr Tiwonge Gawa, Activist and Tearfund campaigner, Malawi.
“As waste pickers, we are very invisible throughout society. Yet this week, policy makers from many different countries and businesses have supported our call for justice to be a core part of the treaty. Negotiators must move quickly: whilst we've been here in Paris, our friends, our sisters and our brothers have been risking their lives to prevent the worst effects of the plastics crisis. What has happened this week must lead to real change for us." - Luyanda Hlatshwayo, International Alliance of Waste Pickers, South Africa.