Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] The Global Plastic Treaty could be the key to stemming the tide of plastic that is engulfing the earth. Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] Plastic pollution, fueled by the relentless growth of plastic production, consumption and disposal, is posing serious risks to public health by exacerbating the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and global pollution. Inside Climate News
• [New] The European Union has already declared its intent to ban exports of non-hazardous plastic waste to non-OECD countries from 2026. WasteTrade
• [New] Under the Regional Action plan scenario, the annual amount of plastic waste produced worldwide could fall to million metric ton, while the Global Ambition scenario could potentially reduce plastic waste generation to less than million metric tons. Statista
• [New] The Global Plastics Treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stem the rising tide of plastic pollution. Break Free From Plastic
• The world's oceans currently harbour around 200 million tonnes of plastics, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem. Blue Flag
• In the long term, Sri Lanka could attempt to undertake several mitigating actions including legislating and enforcing bans on single-use plastics, promoting public awareness campaigns, and continuing to work with regional and international partners to combat plastic pollution. The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute
• Governments are urged to implement policies that limit plastic use, as seen in Indonesia's ambitious goal to reduce plastic waste by 70% by 2025 and enforce a nationwide ban on single-use plastics by 2029. Blogger
• The amount of plastic waste produced globally is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfills and less than a fifth recycled, if current trends continue. SpringerLink
• South Korea has made significant strides in waste management, aiming to halve plastic waste by 2030 and increase recycling rates to 70%. Packaging Gateway
• The enormous amount of plastic production, its ubiquitous use, and unstructured disposal make them a pervasive pollutant that impacts human health, the environment, and poses an existential threat to the planet. Times Kuwait
• Unlike waste management-focused efforts, the Global Plastics Treaty is an opportunity to take a more comprehensive approach to the plastic crisis. Break Free From Plastic
• All countries must come forward with bold pledges including a biodiversity target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, to tackle plastic pollution, overfishing and for greater governance of the high seas. The Guardian
• North Somerset Council will this month being collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrappings as part of an overhaul of the waste services offered to households. MRW
• Myne is confident that demand for recycled plastics will boom after 2030, when many European countries are expected to enforce legislation mandating the use of recycled content in packaging. Polyestertime
• Based on current trends, global demand for plastics is projected to double by 2050, which has severe implications for the environment and human health. Population Connection
• North Somerset Council will this month begin collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrappings as part of an overhaul of the waste services offered to households. MRW
• Australia will join other nations in Switzerland in August for a final round of negotiations on the global plastics treaty. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• The UK government has previously confirmed that the Circular Economy Taskforce will focus, as a priority, on the following 5 sectors: textiles, transport, construction, agri-food and chemicals & plastics. Walker Morris
• The upcoming final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty is a critical opportunity to call on governments to collaborate in addressing plastics pollution through a full life cycle approach to protect human health. LSHTM
• Economic Costs: India could lose USD 133 billion in material value due to plastic waste by 2030, with significant municipal spending on waste management. EDUREV.IN

Last updated: 14 July 2025