Public sentiment reflects widespread pessimism about the effectiveness of negotiations aimed at combatting plastic pollution, highlighting frustration with corporations and governments that prioritize profits over environmental sustainability. While there is a strong desire for substantial action, many doubt that current discussions will yield meaningful changes.

Governments

Corporations (Oil and Plastic Industries)

Environmental Activists

Fossil fuel/petrochem lobbyists are currently stalling the piss out of it though. They outnumber the EU scientists and other speakers trying to pass this. 

I haven’t been following it closely, but I’ve seen that this is happening. Hopefully they can still somehow pass it though.

ExternalSet8067

&gt; Every year, the world produces record quantities of plastic. In 2021, [according to the OECD](https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/plastics.html#:~:text=Plastics%20production%20and%20use%20reached,in%202040%20compared%20to%202020), more than 400 million tonnes of plastic were produced worldwide, twice as much as in the early 2000s. If nothing changes, plastic consumption could triple by 2060.

&gt; The problem is that recycling is not keeping pace with this acceleration. According to OECD data, around 9% of waste is recycled, 19% is incinerated, and nearly three-quarters is sent to landfill or disposed of in nature.

&gt; **Ubiquitous… and invisible waste**

&gt; Depending on its composition, plastics take between 20 and 500 years to decompose, but they do not necessarily disappear. Even when they fragment, they leave behind microplastics, particles smaller than 5mm.

&gt; These remnants of everyday plastic objects are invading the oceans, soils, rivers… and living organisms, such as fish and human bodies. Studies have proven their existence in drinking water, breast milk, and even human blood. A growing number of scientific studies warn of the risks to human health.

&gt; **Europe wants to stem the waste tide**

&gt; Faced with this situation, the European Union has taken a series of measures in recent years:

&gt; * Since 2021, the ban on [single-use plastics](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en) targets some of the most common and easily replaceable items, such as bags, straws, and cutlery.

&gt; * New packaging regulations aim to reduce over-packaging and improve the recyclability of packaging.

&gt; * The intentional addition of microplastics is restricted in certain cosmetics, detergents, and industrial products through the European REACH regulation.

&gt; * A draft regulation on maritime transport aims to minimize the loss of industrial pellets in order to avoid microplastic pollution.

&gt; * The Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims to protect marine ecosystems from marine litter, is currently being revised.

&gt; The EU also funds numerous research projects aimed at developing bio-sourced and biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics. This is the case with the [SEALIVE](https://sealive.eu/) project, led by the ITENE research center in Valencia, and the [R3pack](https://www.r3pack.eu/) project.

&gt; Brussels also aims to optimise the economic performance of reuse systems to achieve 100% reusable or recyclable packaging on the market by 2030.

&gt; **Towards an international treaty on plastics**

&gt; Beyond its borders, the EU is actively campaigning for a legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution. The draft treaty has been under negotiation since 2025 and reports indicate that two visions emerged:

&gt; * A ["high ambition" coalition](https://hactoendplasticpollution.org/) gathers over 100 members including the EU, Rwanda, Norway, and Peru, advocates for a legally binding covering the whole life-cycle of plastics (upstream and downstream measures).

&gt; * Other countries, including major oil producers, want the agreement to focus on downstream measures such as waste management and recycling.

&gt; Upstream measures, which are the subject of heated debate, include:

&gt; * Sustainable production and consumption of plastics;

&gt; * Addressing issues related to problematic plastic items (such as single-use plastics);

&gt; * Reducing chemicals of greatest concern.

&gt; The next round of negotiations will take place in Geneva, from August 5 to 14, 2025.

sg_plumber

At this point I don't even think we should be recycling it anymore. There are numerous studies that show high quantities of microplastics are released during the process. Chemically breaking it down or incinerating it with comprehensive emissions capture is a safer option in my opinion. I'm also hopeful they may be able to use fungi to break it down at some point.

aggregatesys

This is why we can never stop pushing against those who want to drag us backwards. We are nearly there we just need a little more "oomph" to get across the finish line.

SignificantHippo8193

long overdue

and the "solution" - recycling what we do have, has shown itself to be toxic as well

33ITM420

The oil and plastic industry is evil and corrupt. It is sad that we allow the oil companies to have such a grip on our society. They made us reliant on their oil, gas, and plastics. They profit, the rest of the entire world suffers so that we can move things better with gas, lube with oil, create cheap disposable plastic products.

The discovery of oil and it's subsequent refining and everything that followed will go down in history as the biggest mistake the human race has ever made. Unless AI trumps it, we will see. Even if it does we would just have 2 giant global devastating fiascos on our hand.

Honestly no matter what the cost is economically, the best course of action would be to full stop everything oil, gas, &amp; plastic. No more pumping, no more refining, no more use, no more plastic. No matter the cost, nothing is worth the damage it causes.

Archipocalypse

fro99er

Shit like this is so frustrating and so defeating. What does an individuals action and good behaviour from a climate and plastic perspective achieve when you have a country like the US against reducing plastic use. 

I'm trying to imagine future tech solutions that Australia could somehow implement that could be effective despite the largest plastic producers continuing to produce... and it just doesn't seem like they would be effective.

Ultimately, it just seems like the environment is fucked unless the world powers and global conglomerates start taking serious action... and nothing suggests they will. It's infuriating and highlights the absolute worst of human nature. Wouldn't surprise me if within 20 years we start to see 'fanatical' environmentalists attempting to assassinate those they feel are responsible.

gnarlyrocks

&gt;In letters circulated to a handful of countries on Monday, first reported by Reuters, the United States urged countries to reject a global pact that would limit plastic production and ban certain plastic chemicals.

&gt;It puts the US in direct opposition to more than 100 countries — including Australia — who are pursuing the most ambitious form of a legally binding treaty.

Come on ABC, you need to be serious with your headlines. Don't play into the polarising spirit of the times, make them boring summaries.

Still-Bridges

Australia needs to put some standards in place and stop retailers flooding the place with cheap fast degrading products. What is the point of water ing cans, buckets, hose reels, tools, solar lights and the endless amounts of other products that are designed for outdoor use but deteriorate in under 6 months? Its creating a landfill and microplastic nightmare. Products need to be clearly labelled that they are UV stablelised for outdoor use.

AromaTaint

*"the United States urged countries to reject a global pact that would limit plastic production and ban certain plastic chemicals.*"

"*It puts the US in direct opposition to more than 100 countries — including Australia — who are pursuing the most ambitious form of a legally binding treaty.*"

So, the yanks being irresponsible wankers once again and putting profit above environmental good and human well being.

Every country in the world should abandon this "ally" - as being isolationist is what the US wants anyway.

Aptosauras

Plastic isn't the problem, it's our dishonesty about the real costs of recycling.


Currently we pretend it's being recycled, send it to the lowest bidder, who promptly dumps it in a 3rd world river.


Either pay for actual recycling, or accept that it's too expensive and dispose of it securely in landfill.

RichyRoo2002

Think we all know where this is going.  

Otaraka

Bet you they weren’t at odds when they made them

Overall_Bed4382

I’d rather we pay tariffs than keep microplastics literally polluting our bodies for decades to come

ENG_NR

Not going to happen because the Republicans are unilaterally rejecting any for of sciences around the environment.

More_Law6245

Although it's not geat plastic within landfill is contained and will degrade relatively quickly, between 20 and 400 years depending on the plastic.


Where we do have an immediate issue is countries that dump trash in the ocean as the majority of waste is coming from just a few countries:


https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualized-ocean-plastic-waste-pollution-by-country/

Jealous-Hedgehog-734

Pasta in refillable containers, a return to decent lids for hummus and water bottles made from agricultural waste could be coming your way if the world passes an ambitious new plastic pollution treaty this month.

More than 170 countries are meeting in Geneva from Tuesday for the final fortnight of negotiations to tackle the scourge of plastic waste highlighted by Sir David Attenborough.

The final shape of the world’s first treaty on the issue will depend on how ambitious the deal is in tackling the 435 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, a figure experts fear could increase by 70% without action. If the treaty includes caps on plastic production as well as action on recycling, as campaigners hope, it could mean changes for how Britons shop, eat and deal with waste

TimesandSundayTimes

I'm pretty sure they made some sort of deal about reducing global emissions a while back. I'm sure whatever agreement they come to here be upheld to the same degree.

InvestInHappiness

pomod

Yet another "last chance" meetup. The U.S., China, Russia and Saudi Arabia are opposed to anything except recycling (as if recycling works). Nothing will be done until it's too late. And it's already too late.

Zeon2

A report highlights that plastic pollution costs the global economy $1.5 trillion annually, with 180 countries negotiating a global treaty on the issue.

Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

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