Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] To mobilise support, the EU is actively involved in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, which includes 65 countries committed to aim high in the negotiations to end plastic pollution by 2040. Environment
• [New] Scientific evidence of harm right along the plastic life cycle - from material extraction to disposal - has helped bring a once in a planet opportunity to address the issue of plastic pollution via a legally binding global treaty. phys.org
• [New] In 2024, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally secure a global, legally binding target to radically reduce plastic production, but it will only deliver the kind of progressive action needed if countries like the UK push for plastic production to be reduced by at least 75% by 2040. Greenpeace UK
• [New] Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic are calling on the UK government and supermarkets to advocate for a legally binding target in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, and reduce plastic production by at least 75% by 2040. Greenpeace UK
• [New] Oman tops the list of countries in terms of mismanaged plastic waste, with a projected 111 kg of mismanaged plastic per person in 2024. The Indian Express
• [New] The UNEP process is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to scale plastic recycling so recycled content becomes the default in plastic packaging and products, replacing virgin resin. The Association of Plastic Recyclers
• [New] While much of the global conversation focuses on plastic packaging, there is tremendous need and opportunity to scale reuse, recycling and other solutions to address the 55% of all plastic used in non-packaging applications. The Association of Plastic Recyclers
• [New] In a few short weeks, nearly 170 countries and thousands of stakeholders will gather in Ottawa, Canada for the fourth round of global negotiations, led by the United Nations, to craft a global agreement to end plastic pollution. The Association of Plastic Recyclers
• [New] WWF will be advocating for a robust agreement at the next round of negotiations in Ottawa, Canada, in April to ensure that nations address the crisis of plastic waste before it's too late. World Wildlife Fund
• Mura Technology has signed a product offtake agreement with Neste, which will convert products from Mura's site in Teesside into feedstock for the production of new plastics. MRW
• Safer States, an alliance of environmental health organizations, anticipates a surge in state legislation across the US in 2024, with at least 35 states introducing about 450 bills aimed at addressing toxic chemicals and plastics. SGS EHS NAM
• Plastic waste often finds its way into water bodies, including the Red Sea, Nile River, and Mediterranean Sea, posing a severe threat to marine ecosystems. Carnegie Middle East Center
• Several states in the U.S. and countries around the world have banned the manufacture and sale of one-time use plastic products, which will reduce the number of plastic items in a landfill that will eventually become microplastic pieces. Southlantic Water Systems
• The recommendation set out in Veolia's Resource the Future report is to increase the Plastic Packaging Tax to 35% recycled content and £275 per tonne in 2024, escalating to 50% and £500 per tonne by 2030. Let's Recycle
• The global plastics treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a cleaner, safer planet. Common Dreams
• UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has informed a UN environment meeting that it plans to establish zero plastic waste cities along the Indus River to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. DAWN.COM
• The UK will need to invest £1.1 billion in building ten new plastic sorting and 30 new plastic reprocessing facilities, creating 2,500 new jobs and reducing annual carbon emissions by 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Let's Recycle
• Saudi Arabia will take part in the Plastic Pollution INC-4 conference in Canada next month to help drive global efforts to reduce the manufacture and use of non-essential plastic products and to develop robust regulations on plastic waste. ArabNews
• America's Plastic Makers have set an ambitious goal for 100% of U.S plastic packaging to be reused, recycled or recovered by 2040, and believe plastic waste in the environment is never acceptable. American Chemistry Council
• The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an important Report into pro-oxidant masterbatches which in its own words could significantly reduce the persistence of plastic pollution without creating undesired by-products. Bioplastics News
• America's Plastic Makers has set a goal for all plastic packaging in the U.S. to be reused, recycled, recovered by 2040. NPR
• By 2040, Africa will mismanage 250 million tons of plastic waste if the current trend continues. The Star
• Governments globally must now act swiftly to ban harmful plastic products and unite behind a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that recognises the threat plastic poses to human health. Sky News

Last updated: 22 April 2024