Negotiators have convened in Busan, South Korea, for an important final effort to establish a treaty aimed at tackling the global challenge of plastic pollution. This marks the fifth gathering of nations aiming to create a legally binding agreement specifically targeting this environmental crisis. Alongside national representatives, experts from the plastics industry, scientists, and environmental advocates have joined the discussions to formulate effective strategies for addressing the alarming rise in plastic waste.
According to the United Nations, the issue is critical, citing that the planet is “choking on plastic,” with waste contaminating natural water bodies and even entering the human body. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the U.N. Environment Programme, urged negotiators not to delay their actions. She emphasized the significance of the discussions for future generations who will have to live with the consequences of our current plastic waste, stating the necessity for resolution during this week’s talks. The negotiations are expected to last through Saturday.
Past meetings have uncovered significant disparities in priorities and objectives among participating countries. Currently, 66 nations, along with the European Union, led by Norway and Rwanda, are advocating for measures that would manage the entire plastic lifecycle, including its design, production, consumption, and disposal methods. The delegation from Micronesia, heavily impacted by plastic waste from other nations, has initiated a campaign to highlight the unsustainable nature of plastic production under the “Bridge to Busan” initiative.
Dennis Clare, who is the legal advisor for Micronesia, remarked that addressing production and consumption upstream is vital, noting that “you can’t recycle your way out of this problem.” However, some nations that rely on plastic manufacturing, particularly petroleum-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, are against imposing restrictions on production. Saudi Arabia is the leading exporter of polypropylene, which constitutes a significant portion of global plastic exports. This trend is echoed as countries such as China, the United States, and Germany dominate global plastic trade in 2023.
The plastics sector has been advocating for a focus on redesigning plastic products, promoting recycling, and reusing materials, concepts collectively referred to as “circularity.” Chris Jahn from the International Council of Chemical Associations suggested that negotiators should prioritize tackling environmental plastic waste instead of limiting production. He stated that countries are unlikely to join an agreement that includes restrictions on production, asserting that an increase in plastics will occur as the global economy continues to expand.
Initially, the U.S. delegation had indicated that nations should formulate their own individual plans, a stance perceived as pro-industry. However, this summer, the U.S. revised its position, expressing openness to global targets for plastic production reduction. Environmental groups have criticized this shift, asserting that the U.S. has shifted from a leadership role, potentially hindering the ambitions of other countries. Sarah Martik, executive director of the Center for Coalfield Justice, voiced concerns that the United States’ approach would influence negotiations negatively.
As a move to address plastic pollution domestically, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a national strategy, yet Martik criticized many aspects as merely voluntary measures lacking meaningful impact. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley expressed concern over settling for minimal agreements to secure a deal rather than pursuing substantial solutions.
Ecuador’s committee chair, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, has recently put forth proposed text for sections where consensus might be attainable. The production of plastics is projected to surge to 736 million tons by 2040, representing a 70% increase from 2020 levels, unless there are substantial policy changes, as highlighted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Research published in Science suggests that achieving a significant reduction in plastic pollution is still within reach. Effective strategies include requiring the use of 40% post-consumer recycled materials in new products, capping new plastic production at 2020 levels, significantly investing in plastic waste management systems, and imposing fees on plastic packaging. Douglas McCauley, a professor at UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley who co-led the research, argues that a treaty is essential for addressing plastic pollution comprehensively.
Margaret Spring, chief conservation and science officer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, believes that the conversation surrounding plastic pollution has transitioned from merely being a waste issue to an urgent existential crisis needing immediate action. She noted a rapid increase in public understanding of the complexities of plastic pollution, which provides hope for tangible progress in the negotiations.