BUSAN, South Korea — This weekend, representatives from various countries are concluding negotiations on a treaty aimed at tackling the urgent and growing issue of global plastic pollution.

As the discussions wrap up either Sunday or early Monday in Busan, here’s an overview of crucial insights related to plastic waste:

Each year, the world generates over 400 million tons of new plastic.

In the past three decades, plastic consumption has surged fourfold. Plastic materials are omnipresent, and the United Nations estimates that every day, an amount equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks filled with plastic is deposited into oceans, rivers, and lakes worldwide. Leading countries have concurred on the necessity of establishing the first global, legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, addressing issues including marine waste, with an aim for completion by the end of 2024.

Without policy intervention, plastic production may see an increase of nearly 70% by 2040.

The global output and utilization of plastic is projected to reach approximately 736 million tons by the year 2040, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Panama is spearheading initiatives to confront the rapid expansion of plastic production within the framework of the treaty, bolstered by support from over 100 nations. Juan Carlos Monterrey, head of Panama’s delegation, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that the sheer volume of plastic is overwhelming. “If we don’t include production in this treaty, it won’t just be disappointing; we may as well label it a greenwashing recycling treaty instead of a plastics treaty,” he remarked in a recent interview. “The underlying issue will remain unresolved.”

China, the United States, and Germany are identified as leading players in the plastic industry.

In 2023, China emerged as the largest exporter of plastic products, followed by Germany and the United States, as highlighted by the Plastics Industry Association. Collectively, these three nations represent about 33% of the total global plastics trade.

A significant proportion of plastic ends up as waste.

Currently, fewer than 10% of plastic products are recycled. The vast majority is either sent to landfills, contributes to environmental contamination, or is incinerated. On the sidelines of the main discussions, the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics hosted an event focused on the effects of plastic waste. They advocate for the treaty to expressly acknowledge their rights and the right of all individuals to a healthy, clean, safe, and sustainable environment. Juan Mancias of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation in Texas articulated the spiritual connection to the land, expressing concern over environmental degradation. “Five hundred years ago, we had clean water, clean air, and no plastics,” he lamented. “What happened?”

A large share of plastic is associated with packaging.

According to the UN, approximately 40% of all plastics are utilized for packaging purposes. This category includes single-use plastic items such as food and beverage containers, water bottles, takeaway boxes, coffee lids, straws, and shopping bags, many of which ultimately contribute to environmental pollution.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the U.N. Environment Program, addressed negotiators in Busan, underscoring the necessity of addressing these challenges. “Can we identify specific plastic items that we could do without, especially those that frequently escape into the environment? Are there viable alternatives to these products? This is an issue we must reach consensus on,” she stated.