Negotiators from 176 countries are meeting in Ottawa to discuss creating a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste within 20 years. Plastic waste is a growing concern, as it never biodegrades and has significant impacts on nature and human health. Canada’s environment minister, Steven Guilbeault, has been instrumental in pushing for these talks and emphasizes the need for a strong treaty to address the plastic pollution crisis. The goal is to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040, but there is growing pressure to act sooner for the sake of the environment and public health.
One of the key issues in the negotiation is the question of a cap on plastic production. Environmental and health organizations argue that reducing the amount of plastic produced is crucial to solving the plastic waste crisis. However, the chemical and plastic industries oppose such measures, citing concerns about cost, energy intensity, and product weight. Without intervention, plastic production is projected to double by 2050, leading to a tripling of plastic waste by 2060. The Organization for Economic Co-operation reported that global plastic production and waste have been steadily increasing over the years.
Plastic waste management is a global issue, with about half of the waste ending up in landfills, one-fifth being incinerated, and over one-fifth being mismanaged. Developing economies often lack proper waste management systems, leading to higher rates of mismanagement in regions like Africa and Asia. The trend of exporting plastic waste from richer countries to poorer ones exacerbates the problem. In Canada, over 80% of plastic waste is landfilled, and only 6% is recycled. The evolving treaty aims to address various aspects of plastic pollution, including a potential cap on production and efforts to reduce the types of products that end up in nature.
Plastic additives used in the production of plastic products have been linked to various health issues, including endocrine disruption, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Health experts warn about the dangers of these chemicals leeching into the environment and affecting human health. Organizations like Greenpeace are calling for a significant reduction in plastic production by 2040 to mitigate these risks. The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada promotes a “circular economy” approach to tackle plastic waste, where products are designed for reuse and recycling rather than disposal.
Efforts to regulate plastic waste in Canada have faced setbacks, such as a court ruling that deemed the designation of all plastics as “toxic” too broad. The ruling impacts government efforts to ban single-use plastics like straws and takeout containers. Despite this challenge, Canada is appealing the decision and remains committed to addressing plastic pollution through domestic regulations and international treaties. The ongoing treaty talks aim to streamline the draft text and address contentious issues over the summer, with the goal of finalizing the treaty in Korea later in the year. Key topics of discussion include minimum recycled content in plastics, design consistency for recycling, and addressing the health impacts of plastic additives.
