Global Plastic Treaty

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The UN committee adopted a resolution paving the way for the first-ever global treaty on plastic pollution, aiming to curb plastic waste, reduce environmental harm, and promote sustainable practices globally, with negotiations ongoing to finalize the treaty by 2024.

What is Plastic Pollution?

• Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment, which creates severe problems for wildlife, habitats, and human populations.
• The invention of Bakelite in 1907 revolutionized the material industry, and by the late 20th century, plastics had become a persistent global pollutant. Plastic waste is found everywhere, from the peak of Mount Everest to the deepest parts of the ocean.

Popularity of Plastic

Plastic is widely used due to its affordability, durability, and flexibility. It is integral to many industries, including packaging, fashion, farming, and the fishing industry.

Sources of Plastic Pollution

• Packaging Sector: Largest generator of single-use plastic waste worldwide.
• Farming: Plastics are used in seed coatings and mulch films.
• Fishing Industry: Contributes significantly with plastic waste from gear.
• Fashion Industry: Uses synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, and nylon.
• Microplastics: Tiny plastic shards (<5mm), from synthetic fabrics and beauty products, pose a growing concern.

Extent of Plastic Pollution

• Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic waste is dumped into oceans, rivers, and lakes.
• 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually; most of it is short-lived and ends up as waste.
• 46% of plastic waste is landfilled, while 22% is mismanaged, becoming litter.

Projections for Plastic Pollution

• By 2050, global plastic production could reach 17.7 billion tonnes, leading to 15 billion tonnes of plastic waste. This exponential growth is a major environmental challenge.

Environmental and Health Challenges

• Chemical Pollution: Chemicals from plastics (e.g., phthalates, BPA) leach into water and air, impacting both human health and wildlife.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Plastic production, derived from fossil fuels, generates significant greenhouse gases. In 2019, plastics accounted for 3.4% of global emissions.
• Global Warming: Continued plastic production contributes to global warming, making it crucial to limit polymer production to avoid catastrophic climate impacts.

The Menace of Single-Use Plastics

• Single-use plastics, which comprise 40% of all plastic production, are a significant contributor to plastic waste. The production of such plastics has increased rapidly in the last decade.

Impact on Ecosystems and Livelihoods

• Plastic waste alters habitats and disrupts natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change and impacting human livelihoods, food production, and social well-being.

What is Being Done: The Global Plastic Treaty

• In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) passed a resolution to form a legally binding international treaty to combat plastic pollution.
• The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was set up to negotiate the treaty, with the first meeting held in Uruguay (Nov 2022).
• Subsequent sessions were held in Paris (2023) and Nairobi (2023), with more sessions planned in Ottawa (2024) and Busan (2024).

UNEA Resolution 5/14: Key Principles

• Recognizes plastic pollution, including microplastics.
• Acknowledges the transboundary nature of plastic pollution and the need for a full-life-cycle approach.
• Reaffirms the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Rio Declaration on environment and development.
• Stresses the importance of strengthening the science-policy interface to understand plastic's global impact and promote effective actions.

Way Forward

• Curbing Plastic Production
  • Data shows that reducing plastic production could prevent 25-47 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions from 2025 to 2050. However, if production continues unchecked, 17.7 billion tonnes of plastic could be produced over the next 25 years.
• Circular Economy
  • A circular economy model for plastics promotes reuse, repair, and recycling. Currently, this is unachievable due to the abundance of cheap virgin plastic and the lack of proper regulation.
• Bioplastics as an Alternative
  • Bioplastics, made from renewable resources like corn starch and sugarcane, are gaining attention as a potential alternative to conventional plastics. These materials can be biodegradable or partially made from plant-based materials.

Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021)

• India has implemented the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) to reduce plastic waste, including:
• Banning Single-Use Plastics: A ban on the production, sale, and use of single-use plastics by July 2022.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Mandates producers to manage plastic waste recycling and collection.
• Awareness Campaigns: Promotes awareness of reducing plastic use.