Building Circularity Into the Entire Life Cycle of Plastics Is Key to a Successful Agreement

As the final round of negotiations for an international treaty to end plastics pollution approaches, the World Plastics Council (WPC) and members of the Global Plastics Alliance (GPA) are urging governments to adopt an ambitious and implementable agreement. The treaty, which aims to significantly scale up waste management and recycling, will be discussed at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s fifth session (INC5) starting on 25 November 2024 in Busan, South Korea.

Negotiators will address key topics, including the framework for implementing the internationally legally binding instrument (ILBI) to enable countries to tackle plastic waste. The WPC and GPA advocate for an agreement that respects the unique needs of individual countries while establishing a common framework to achieve the goal of ending plastic pollution by 2040.

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A Flexible, Balanced Approach

Benny Mermans, Chair of the WPC, emphasises the importance of a balanced approach:
"Countries face very different challenges and require different solutions. A one-size-fits-all global approach to policy and regulation cannot work. The treaty should therefore provide each country and region with the flexibility to meet the objectives of the agreement in ways which make the most sense for them."

The treaty should balance global obligations with national measures, requiring countries to develop national action plans. These plans should be tailored to specific circumstances while including common elements and reporting requirements. For instance, mandatory recycled content targets could increase the value of plastic waste by creating demand for circular raw materials, encouraging investment in collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure.

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Transitioning to a Circular Economy

Deidre Penfold, Executive Director of CAIA, underscores the need for a circular plastics system:
"Transitioning to a circular plastics system, in which all plastics are reused, recycled, and responsibly managed rather than discarded, is key to tackling the problem of plastic waste. The transition to a circular economy will reduce GHG emissions, increase resource efficiency, enhance economic development, and create jobs, particularly in countries with less developed waste management and recycling infrastructure."

Anton Hanekom, Executive Director of Plastics SA, highlights the importance of incorporating circularity across the entire life cycle of plastics:
"Building circularity into the entire life cycle of plastics—from design to recycling to responsible end-of-life—and developing fit-for-purpose waste management systems should be the cornerstone of the agreement. Making plastic waste a commodity with real value is the most effective way to achieve the objectives of the agreement."

Plastics contribute to sustainable development goals by enabling renewable energy technologies, improving food preservation, and supporting modern healthcare. However, unmanaged waste remains the primary driver of pollution, particularly in regions where 2.7 billion people lack access to proper waste management.

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Additional Recommendations

To ensure the treaty's success, the WPC and GPA propose the following:

1. Sustainable Finance Mechanisms
   Mobilise public and private funding, particularly for emerging economies. Sustainable financing mechanisms, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, can support waste collection, sorting, and recycling initiatives.

2. Application-Based Approach
   Adopt a decision tree framework applied locally to identify and prevent high-leakage plastic products from becoming pollution. This approach prioritises tailored solutions over blanket bans, balancing societal value with pollution prevention.

3. Facilitating Trade
   Ensure the treaty enables the movement of plastic waste to countries with advanced recycling and waste management capabilities, supporting circularity and reducing pollution.

4. Product Design Standards
   Encourage designing plastics for reuse, recycling, and durability. International design principles and standards should guide product design to promote sustainability.

5. Recognising the Informal Sector
   Acknowledge the informal plastics sector, which manages 60% of global plastic waste collection. Foster partnerships between the informal sector, industry, and governments to develop sustainable solutions that uplift stakeholders and create mutual respect.

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About the World Plastics Council

The World Plastics Council (WPC) represents the global plastics industry, promoting collaboration among stakeholders and advocating policies that reduce plastics waste. The WPC aims to advance circularity within the plastics system globally.

About the Global Plastics Alliance

Established in 2011, the Global Plastics Alliance (GPA) comprises 75 plastics organisations across 40 countries. As voluntary signatories to the Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, GPA members execute local and regional projects to combat marine debris.

About Plastics SA

Plastics|SA represents all sectors of South Africa’s plastics industry, including producers, converters, recyclers, and machine suppliers. The organisation promotes industry growth and development while addressing plastics-related issues.

About CAIA

The Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) represents a significant portion of South Africa’s chemical industry, contributing 5% to GDP and 22% to manufacturing. CAIA is the custodian of the Responsible Care® initiative, which promotes safety, health, and environmental performance in the chemical sector.

For further information, visit:

• World Plastics Council: Website
• Global Plastics Alliance: Website
• Plastics SA: Website
• CAIA: Website

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Press Release Submitted By

World Plastics Council and Global Plastics Alliance

Total Words: 868

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Social Media Post

World Plastics Council Calls for Treaty to End Plastics Pollution
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