BIR plastics division: "Global plastics treaty not in sight"

Speaking at the Plastics Division plenary session, Alev Somer, BIR Trade & Environment Director, explained that the 2022 proposal would be subject to another round of talks, known as 5:2, in August this year. The aim of the planned treaty, she said, was to develop a legally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution. It would cover plastics for both single use and long-term use and, within the proposals, the recycling of plastics was in sharp focus. Ms Somer explained: "Since 2022, we at the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee have been discussing reaching the ultimate goal of a plastics treaty that would address the whole life cycle of plastics and actually perhaps support the recycling industry. This treaty would address plastic pollution not only at land but also at sea."