Negotiators recently concluded discussions in Ottawa, Canada, on a potentially groundbreaking international agreement to curb plastic pollution, leaving some observers cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a global treaty on plastic waste.
Nick Mallos, vice president of conservation, ocean plastics at an environmental organization, described the global plastics treaty as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time. Representatives for countries in the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee identified key issues to address before final treaty talks begin in November in Busan, South Korea. Mallos expressed cautious optimism that the process would stay on track, a sentiment shaped by his close monitoring of the talks over the past two years.
The magnitude of plastic waste has reached alarming levels. A 2020 study estimated that the total amount of plastic now exceeds all animal life. The U.N. Environment Programme reported in 2021 that roughly one-third of the approximately 430 million tons of plastic produced annually consists of single-use products such as wrappers, packaging, bottles, and bags. Much of this waste ends up in waterways and, eventually, the oceans.
Marine ecologists warn that plastic pollution in oceans has reached a crisis point, with an estimated 14 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN reports that plastic constitutes 80 percent of all ocean debris, frequently causing harm to animals through ingestion or entanglement.
Professor Douglas McCauley, an ocean science expert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, shared his experience of researching the remote Midway Atoll in the Pacific, far from any substantial human settlement. Despite its pristine appearance, the island was littered with plastic pollution, which even affected the albatross colonies nesting there.
McCauley recounted finding albatross chicks being fed plastic waste by their parents, leading to high mortality rates among the chicks. Mallos highlighted another aspect of plastic waste, "ghost gear," which includes discarded fishing nets, traps, and lines that continue to harm marine life even after escaping from fishing vessels.
Mallos noted that key elements for a strong final treaty were still under discussion, including measures to address ghost gear and restrictions on microplastics entering the food chain. However, he emphasized that negotiators must address the fundamental issue at the treaty's core—a reduction in plastic production.
The journey towards the treaty began in March 2022, when the U.N. Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Throughout the process, major plastics manufacturers and their trade groups have expressed support for the treaty's overarching goals to prevent plastic waste.
While the industry supports preventing plastics from entering the environment through universal waste collection and reuse, it opposes any limits on plastic production. Industry representatives argue that plastic is essential and that the focus should be on improving recycling rather than limiting production.
However, recycling rates are low, with less than 10 percent of plastic waste being recycled according to a 2022 study. McCauley and his colleagues developed a model showing that more financial support for less-developed countries combined with a moderate limit on plastic production could significantly reduce waste in the coming decades, but recycling alone would not suffice.
Plastics also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, as most plastics are made from petrochemicals. Researchers have found that the production of major plastic polymers accounts for over 5 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing emissions from the global aviation sector.
Mallos emphasized the urgent need to address plastic pollution in the context of climate change. He noted that the current growth trajectory of the plastics industry, with production set to double or triple by 2050, could have catastrophic implications for the climate crisis.
The nations involved in the talks have divided into three main groups: a high-ambition coalition advocating for strong action, a group resisting limits on plastic production with close ties to the plastics industry, and a third group, including the U.S., taking a middle-of-the-road approach.
McCauley expressed frustration at the lack of U.S. leadership on the issue, despite surveys showing that most Americans support limits on plastic waste. He urged the U.S. to find its voice in the treaty negotiations, emphasizing the need for ambitious action to address the plastic pollution crisis.
In an effort to inspire ambition, McCauley brought plastic debris from Midway Atoll to Washington, D.C., as a reminder of the stakes involved. He stressed the importance of the U.S. taking a leadership role in the treaty negotiations to effectively tackle plastic pollution.