EIA’s daily diary from the first round of negotiations in Uruguay for a new Global Plastics Treaty
Negotiations have begun this week in Punta del Este, Uruguay, to hammer out the language for a new Global Plastics Treaty
- Areas of work:
- Campaigns:
Negotiations have begun this week in Punta del Este, Uruguay, to hammer out the language for a new Global Plastics Treaty
The next two-and-a-half years, spent at negotiating tables in conference centres, will define how the world makes, use and dispose of plastics for generations to come
In March this year, the United Nations Environment Assembly agreed to forge ahead with a new Global Plastics Treaty and next week sees work start in earnest to get the detail in place to address the fast-rising threat of plastics pollution
Virgin plastic production and consumption have reached unsustainable levels. Overproduction has meant inexpensive virgin plastic is used freely and inefficiently, with unfavourable economics for most recycling, leading to a stark discrepancy between how much plastic is produced and how much is recycled.
The new legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution will need to consider measures across the full lifecycle of plastics. So called ‘midstream’ measures, for example on product design, will be essential to complement absolute reductions in plastic production.
Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) – also known as ‘ghost gear’ – is a major contributor to marine plastic pollution.