Charting success for the Plastics Treaty

Plastic has become indispensable to human ways of life across the world, yet environmental cost our dependence is increasingly recognized as untenable. In 2022, 175 nations resolved work toward a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Yet addressing requires changes entire production chain, from consumption disposal. This Voices asks: what needed for Plastics Treaty meaningfully address plastics crisis? Numerous studies that have modeled interventions necessary significantly reduce and its associated climate emissions reached same conclusion: we need make less plastic. The simplest strongest way achieve this through source reduction mandates—policies require over time. Single-use are ideal target they represent ∼40% total annual globally most easily eliminated or replaced. Moreover, Ocean Conservancy data shows single-use up disproportionate amount marine debris collected beaches, nearly 70% which not recyclable. A focus can an outsized impact prevent cycle, while also cleaning recycling streams enhance transition circular economy. Fortunately, there precedent kind ambitious source-reduction policies crisis. Last year, California, fifth-largest economy in passed world’s first law requiring precisely that: 25% 10 years. addition preventing estimated 21 million metric tons plastics, policy will drive innovation at global scale. science clear—to decrease reach goals, production. UN represents unparalleled opportunity crisis source. That’s why calling negotiators 2nd session Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee End Pollution include 50% 2050, would eliminate 2.6 billion plastics. Global critical momentous world effectively tackle crisis, but South bears brunt impact. Given substantial socio-economic challenges faced region, it carries significant responsibility actively voice concerns. Plastic-associated pervades every stage throughout extraction While pervasive disposal phrase particularly concerning countries compared their wealthier counterparts. With technological economically inadequate waste management infrastructure, incapable managing influx low value, countries. wealthy outsource poorer via trade, engaging colonization, resulting moral ethical quandary. Resolving these inequities crucial ensuring equitable among all stakeholders involved agreement. negotiating technology knowledge transfer innovations sustainable alternatives, seek support building infrastructure manage waste. It becomes imperative establish consolidated, value-chain-oriented systems meet evolving sustainability needs developing economies. Advocacy integration efforts with broader development agendas, such poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation, action rally international community mobilize resources comprehensive strategies. As second negotiations unfolds Paris, serious questions been raised about process. United Nations Environment Assembly called “the widest effective participation possible,” logistics were cited reason restricting one person per registered NGO. affects engagement impacted vulnerable populations (e.g., pickers, children youth, Indigenous representatives). limits scientists’ inputs. Under accreditation rules many independent academics rely NGOs register risk being “locked out room.” salient intergovernmental ambitions deal (including plastics) be supported robust scientific assessments like those IPCC Climate Change IPBES loss. illustrated controversy following recent launch “Turning off tap” report subcontracted three institutions intended inform negotiations. Its scope excludes consideration cap referring instead eliminating “unnecessary production” implicitly frames systemic issue driven demand consumers’ behavior. Some assumptions, e.g., circularity minimizes impacts chemicals evidence. speed drafted, cannot expected thorough IPBES. Transparency meaningful contribution scientists success Treaty. For this, must room. Implementing instrument monumental power encourage innovation. aims full cycle issues should consider wide spectrum actors initiatives pollution. fact, long before began, organizers, entrepreneurs, developers deploying solutions management. These expertly designed local challenges, ineffective management, often struggle financing scaling-up. Projects washing machine filters microplastics, zero refill stores, personal offsets spearheaded small organizations lead large only if sufficiently scaled. policymakers negotiate conditions Treaty, important incentives bottom-up Bans regulations powerful tools foster responsible recycling/reuse, sufficient investment alternative materials, novel delivery advanced reuse infrastructures. To secure financing, implement extended producer (EPR) schemes whereby producing using companies pay into funds then earmarked programs. If builds-in solid scale them up, huge potential on-the-ground already working hard fight. reaching high point 2023. However, undermine Assembly’s endeavor embrace universally 2024, attempts form coalition seeking approach no enforcement mechanism Paris Agreement). thus agreements priorities treaty eradicate aspects: (1) reduction, (2) efficient (3) measures contamination. achieved implementating recyclable/reusable product designs, promoting use recycled diminishing footprint incentivizing Enhancing practices approach, collection proper disposal, striving elevate performance. Finally, avert contamination, phase allocate strategies hierarchical-level approaches) specific emphasis coastal regions. Importantly, fair equitable, supporting possess limited systems. provision financial technical assistance, call well-designed governance framework ensure supports delivered implemented. ranges macro- nanoplastics. research shows, various scales pollutants released environment, air breathe, food eat, water drink society-wide products. Such emissions, inherently linked everyday activities, constitute wicked problem, evident existing systems, regulations, insufficient level exponential growth Without fundamental how society utilizes, produces, perceives size continue escalate. acknowledge “conventional” one-sided measures. What bold disruptive principles “making less” better.” such, concept simple faces due habituation deeply ingrained modern societies. Defining better” in-depth discussions careful holistic lens: recognize intricately change, loss, chemical pollution, collectively forming triple planetary pursuit reducing production, improving do produce, risks promblem-shifting cascading effects other challenges. Their interconnectedness necessitates examination any under inadvertently exacerbate problems. amounted 390 tonnes 2021. Although 8.3% 1.5% bio-based recyclable proportions increase higher rates. laudable, insufficient, remains quite heavily fossil CO2 intensive. inflicts harmful outcomes soil contamination Switching renewable-based feedstock emerges alleviate negative impacts. process still energy intensive, hazardous toxic generated by-products. green chemistry applied improve overall sustainability. issues, mounting overlooked. Degradable materials may seem solution, degraded environment remain unclear. polymers should, my opinion, niche selected applications clear understanding ecotoxicity. We can, alternatively, help problem leveraging are—a valuable carbon source: possibilities manifold, ranging gasification targeted depolymerization converting syngas blocks) upcycling useful monomers new products used bottles textiles). budgets decreasing increasing price tag value likely increase. could more facilitate recycling/upcycling, developments context urban mining. open burning mixed wastes containing rampant world. leads contributes air, soil, public health problem. Nevertheless, communities absent services left fend themselves face tsunami packaging consumer almost inevitable result. despite laws against burning. ostensibly anti-plastic campaigns litter increased government officials engage clean-up activities care spaces real alternatives wastes, and, ultimately, end them. case speaks necessity attentive contexts constraints take view successful, mechanisms build capacities both dependence, monitoring implementation. now, too dependent upon completely. pragmatic involves multiple, diversified who reliant (industry players included), recognizes varied interests constraints, targets pernicious additives progressively control stewardship.