The UN Global Plastics Pollution Treaty

The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty

127 countries are currently negotiating at UN-level an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution – Global Plastics Pollution Treaty – an unprecedented mobilization to address plastic pollution globally. The mandate, agreed upon at the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) sets a general objective and framework for negotiations, with the aim to cover the full life cycle of plastic from production and design to waste prevention and management. The treaty is expected to set legally binding measures to be implemented by the signatories’ countries, as well as the establishment of common financing, capacity building and monitoring mechanisms.

Negotiations kicked off in Punta del Este in 2022, proceeding then in Paris, France and Nairobi, Kenya, and will continue in Ottawa, Canada in April 2024 and Busan, South Korea in November 2024.

Styrenics’ industry reflection on the Treaty

As Styrenics industry, we recognize the importance of an international framework that addresses plastic pollution. We support the development of an international legally binding instrument aiming to unlock innovation and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

In order to develop such an international framework, the issue of plastic pollution needs to be addressed in its complexity. The Global Plastics Pollution Treaty, as well as any other legally binding instrument, needs to strike a balance between delivering on Europe’s zero pollution ambitions – as laid out in the European Green Deal and the UN 2030 Agenda – and regulating plastics through a proportionate and science-based approach.

Some of the proposals advanced in the zero-draft by the UNEP Secretariat and the Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) appear to be problematic. The proposed measures rely heavily on negative lists, blanket global bans and restrictions of certain plastics without considering their vital role and the lack of alternatives of certain applications. The current approach would not only not fully address the problem of plastic pollution but create a flurry of unintended consequences.

Limiting the availability of plastics by capping the production of primary plastic polymers or introducing polymer-specific discriminatory measures can lead to shifts towards materials with higher carbon footprints and resource consumption. Without viable alternatives, this will not only leave the pollution issue unaddressed, but exacerbate the environmental impact. A study on the climate impact of plastics conducted in 2020 found that plastics had a significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to alternative materials, resulting in potential GHG emissions saving ranging from 10 to 90 percent along the entire product life cycle.

These measures could restrict the availability of certain plastics such as Styrenics, vital for applications such as food packaging, medical devices and renewable energy technologies, to name a few. For example, Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most suitable materials for food packaging as it is ideal for closed-loop recycling, is easily sortable and maintains high quality and safety standards over multiple recycling processes. Meanwhile, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), a lightweight 100% recyclable plastic foam, is used in a wide array of applications, among which thermal insulation in buildings and packaging, where it offers versatility, reliability, and sustainability. Read more about the applications and recyclability of Styrenics here and here.

A possible way forward: an accelerated transition to a circular economy

The rampant issue of plastic pollution is largely due to mismanaged plastic waste in the environment and a lack of proper infrastructures and targeted actions aiming to recover the valuable secondary materials.

What is needed is a holistic approach leading to a rapid structural change that addresses all sectors of the economy. At its core, this means cutting down on waste and legacy pollution through a legally binding instrument based on science and which emphasizes circular economy approaches. As stated by the European Commission, actions must be focused on preventing plastics from entering the environment and a circular approach will be key for the change needed.

The Global Plastics Pollution Treaty can represent the impetus to accelerate such transition, through regulatory and financial incentives aiming to scale up circular economy solutions, as well as boosting investments and innovation.

Specific measures could include incentives for supply chain actors to manage plastics throughout its entire life cycle, sector-specific recycled plastic content targets and the development of circular design principles and criteria to increase material efficiency and extend product lifecycle.

There is also a need to promote and scale up investments in recycling infrastructures. To this end, a strong legislative framework should be put in place in order to create legal certainty for all stakeholders.

The commitment of our sector

As a sector at the frontline of the issue, we are invested in the successful conclusion of the negotiations and stand ready to meaningfully engage and offer expert contributions. We hope to contribute to the delivery of a future-proof framework that will address the root cause of plastic pollution, unlocking innovation and facilitating the transition to a circular economy.

We maintain our unwavering commitment to a steadfast delivery of the circularity ambitions of our sector. We have already made significant progress through considerable investments into recycling capabilities and pioneering projects across the EU. Read more here.