Plastic Treaty negotiations reach critical stage

The United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty which aims to address plastic pollution has entered its final stage of negotiations. 

According to reports, the UN treaty on plastic pollution seeks to create a legally binding instrument to stop plastic pollution globally. This includes the entire plastic life cycle, from production to disposal. Reports indicate the plastic waste management market size was USD 36.2-billion in 2022 and will grow to USD 53.6-billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

The treaty's negotiations began in November 2022. Member states agreed to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. This includes marine environments. The agreement came at the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in March 2022. The goal is to finish negotiations by the end of 2024.

Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) urges the UN to agree on a global plastic pollution treaty. WWF states that 2.2-billion tonnes of plastic will be produced by 2050 without a treaty. This will result in 1.1-billion tonnes of plastic waste. WWF also highlights the urgency of global action. It reports that plastic production is set to double by 2040. This will increase plastic pollution in the ocean fourfold. This plastic will impact over 800 marine and coastal species. Some estimates suggest plastic pollution costs the world up to USD 13-billion per year.

The treaty addresses several key areas. These include plastic production, product design, waste management, and financial mechanisms. It also considers chemicals of concern in plastic. The negotiations have faced challenges, including disagreements among member states on the scope and strength of the treaty. Some countries advocate for strong controls on plastic production, while others prefer focusing on waste management and recycling.

The UN Plastics Treaty aims to establish rules and measures to control the plastic problem. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the effectiveness of the global response to plastic pollution.

Two weeks ago, researchers highlighted flaws in the proposed treaty. A group of fossil fuel-producing countries, plastic industries, promote the idea that recycling can solve the plastics crisis. The researchers counter this, stating that no safe way to recycle most plastics exists. These groups oppose caps on plastic production to continue profiting from environmental and health damage. 

The researchers recommended delegates address World Health Assembly concerns regarding the human and environmental health impacts of plastics when treaty talks resume in August 2025. They advise creating a treaty that protects health and the environment as core objectives. They recommended the treaty to focus on capping and reducing plastic production and encouraging alternatives, remove toxic releases and emissions at all stages of the plastic lifecycle, including banning the recycling of plastics that contain toxic chemicals. It also called for reporting, transparency, and accountability on plastic production and wastes, imports, and exports (including associated chemicals).