Prospects brighten for global treaty on responsible use of plastics

Plastics offer several benefits that have contributed to their widespread use in various industries and daily life in all corners of the globe.
Lightweight plastics can be moulded into a wide range of shapes and forms, making them suitable for diverse applications across industries such as packaging, construction, healthcare, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods.
Many plastics are durable and resistant to corrosion, moisture, and chemicals, making them suitable for long-term use in various environments.
While plastics offer numerous benefits, their environmental impact and sustainability concerns underscore the importance of responsible use, recycling, and the development of alternatives to mitigate their negative effects on the planet.
Since the 1950s, 9.2bn tonnes of plastic have reportedly been produced, of which 7bn tonnes have become waste, filling up landfills and polluting lakes, rivers, the soil and the ocean.
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to ecosystems worldwide. Plastic debris harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, disrupts habitats, and leaches harmful chemicals into the environment.
Plastics contain toxic additives, and when they break down into microplastics, they can be ingested by humans through food and water, potentially causing health issues such as hormone disruption and the transfer of pollutants.
The sheer volume of plastic waste overwhelms waste management systems globally. Improper disposal leads to littering, clogged drainage systems, and increased costs for waste management.
The production, transportation, and disposal of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
Plastic production and waste are set to triple by 2060, and up to 37mn metric tonnes of plastic pollution could be entering oceans every year by 2040. This is leaving a legacy of environmental impacts for future generations.
Negotiators from 176 countries are now gathering in Ottawa, Canada, for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which is hosted by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment to advance the development a global agreement, by the end of 2024.
Already several countries have clamped domestic ban on harmful single-use plastics, implemented a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and moved towards a circular plastics economy.
According to the summit host Canada, plastic pollution costs more than $2tn every year, a burden that is largely held by local communities. Without new and effective control measures, and increased international cooperation, the global plastic pollution crisis will intensify.
Greenpeace Canada noted the global plastics treaty has the potential to stop the plastic pollution crisis at the source - if governments truly step up and uphold their responsibility to the people, environment, wildlife, and the climate. Ambition needs to be more than just words.
According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “Plastics know no border. Every living being and every part of the planet is harmed by plastics and their production. To beat plastic pollution, we need a strong plastics treaty that upholds human rights and addresses the full life cycle of plastics.”
Addressing problems because of plastics contamination requires comprehensive strategies that encompass reduction, recycling, innovation in alternative materials, policy interventions, and global co-operation.