GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY (INC-2) (29 May to 2 June 2023)

Insights on the First Day Talks

The first day of the Plastics Treaty Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) has come to an end with a mix of highs and lows. Here are some observations of the first day talks made by Break Free From Plastic (see images).

PREVIOUSLY: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which is hosting the talks, released a blueprint for reducing plastic waste by 80% by 2040. The report, issued earlier this month, outlined 3 key areas of action: reuse, recycling and reorientation of plastic packaging to alternative materials.

Some environmental groups criticised the report for focusing on waste management, which they saw as a concession to the global plastics and petrochemicals industry.

“Real solutions to the plastics crisis will require global controls on chemicals in plastics and significant reductions in plastic production,” said Therese Karlsson, science advisor with the International Pollutants Elimination Network. (Source: Reuters)