Ending Plastic Pollution: The UN Global Plastics Treaty
In March 2022 a historic agreement was made by the United Nations Environment Assembly to develop an international legally binding resolution on plastic pollution. The landmark agreement is set to encompass the entire life cycle of plastics design, production and disposal – negotiations have been taking place and the final resolution is due to be completed by the end of this year.
The resolution is titled “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument”, the 5th and final session to refine the text of the agreement takes place in the Republic of Korea in November 2024. This will be followed by a diplomatic conference in 2025, at which United Nations members will be expected to adopt the instrument and open it for signature.
The agreement includes diverse alternatives to address the full lifecycle of plastics, the design of reusable and recyclable products and materials, and the need for enhanced international collaboration to facilitate access to technology, capacity building and scientific and technical cooperation.
Why We Need a Global Treaty
Worldwide, 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. Two thirds of which are short-lived or single use plastics. Plastic production has increased substantially over the past seven decades, and current projections suggest capacity is set to double by 2040. An estimated 36% of all plastic produced is for packaging, including food and beverage containers of which 85% ends up in landfills or as hazardous waste.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), less than 20% of all plastics are recycled, with the majority left to pollute the environment in its disposal in landfill, incineration or litter.
The prevalence of plastics in our everyday lives is causing immense environmental damage, affecting land, air and sea. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Plastics degrade over time, disintegrating into microplastics and nanoplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic are hazardous to ecosystems, entering and accumulating in the bodies of animals and humans. Microplastics have been found in human blood, in organs, in the brain and even in the placenta. The impact on human health is still being researched, but scientists have established links between exposure from chemical additives that leach from plastics, with obesity, diabetes, poor brain health and cancer.
To put an end to the plastic crisis, the UN plastic pollution treaty must introduce new globally binding rules to regulate both production and consumption. These rules should encompass measures to ban, phase out, phase down, circulate, and manage high-risk plastic products. A top priority for the treaty should be the prohibition of the most harmful and avoidable plastic products.
Over 90% of the plastic polluting our planet consists of single-use plastics like plastic cutlery and microplastics found in cosmetic products, most of which are too challenging or dangerous to recycle.
In addressing the plastic crisis, it is crucial for the UN plastic pollution treaty to consider the implementation of new globally binding regulations that cover both production and consumption. These regulations could include measures aimed at banning, phasing out, reducing, circulating, and effectively managing high-risk plastic products. Prioritizing the prohibition of the most harmful and avoidable plastic items could be a central focus of the treaty.
It's noteworthy that more than 90% of the plastic pollution affecting our planet is attributed to single-use plastics, such as plastic cutlery, and microplastics commonly found in cosmetic products. Many of these items pose significant challenges or risks in terms of recycling.
By adopting a comprehensive set of regulations, the treaty can play a significant role in mitigating the plastic crisis, addressing both production and consumption aspects and emphasising the prohibition of the most detrimental plastic products.
Solinatra: The Truly Sustainable Alternative
Solinatra is as a transformative alternative in the global push to combat plastic pollution, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the international plastic treaty.
Solinatra is the truly sustainable solution, 100% natural, plant based, and compatible with existing supply chains – able to be processed in existing manufacturing machinery. Compostable and biodegradable, products made of Solinatra degrade in short time frames and leave behind no harmful or persistent pollutants or microplastics, making it an ideal choice for companies seeking sustainable alternatives. As the treaty emphasizes the need to ban and manage high-risk plastic products, Solinatra emerges as a practical solution, offering businesses a path to responsibly transition away from environmentally harmful plastics while contributing to the collective effort to create a plastic-free future.
It’s Time to Act
The Global Plastic Treaty represents a significant step forward, but our journey to address plastic pollution requires a unified global vision. We need a global consensus. It is only through collaborative efforts that we can forge a path towards a sustainable future. Governments must implement and enforce regulations, companies must prioritise eco-friendly practices, and individuals must make conscious choices in their daily lives. By standing united in our commitment to using less plastic and fostering innovative solutions with Solinatra, we can create a planetary economy that safeguards our environment for generations to come. Join Solinatra and together we make the change!
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