At the end of this month, world leaders are heading to Busan, South Korea, to wrap up negotiations on the UN Global Plastics Treaty - a bold step towards tackling plastic pollution at its source.
But what is the treaty really about? And could it truly reshape the future of plastic?
Let’s get into it.
Back in March 2022, 175 countries came together over the realisation that the plastic pollution crisis could no longer be ignored, and the UN got to work on a game-changing plan—what we now call the Global Plastics Treaty.
This treaty is all about rethinking plastic at every stage of its life cycle: from smarter, more sustainable design, to responsible production, to cleaner, more effective disposal. Think of it as a legally binding, science-based plastic roadmap that will help guide countries and businesses alike in using plastic more responsibly.
To put it simply, it’s a more holistic approach to protecting our planet.
Plastic pollution is at a crisis point. According to the UN, we are producing 430 million metric tons of new plastics every year, and at the current rate, this will triple by 2060.
Plastic pollution is harmful for several key reasons. It takes seconds to make and hundreds of years to decompose – and throughout the decomposition process, plastics break down into tiny particles called microplastics which contaminate our soil and water. Ingesting these particles harms wildlife, marine life, and poses significant harm to human health. We must prevent microplastics corrupting our ecosystems from the offset.
On top of this, plastic production and disposal are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute markedly to global warming. To combat this, experts have estimated that a 75% cut in plastic production is needed by 2040 to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees.
The Global Plastics Treaty recognises the urgent need to address plastic pollution and aims to make reducing it a global priority.
The treaty’s primary goal is to cut the amount of plastic produced from the outset. If your house were flooding, you wouldn’t simply scoop the water out – you’d turn it off at the tap, right? Recycling alone cannot compete with the sheer levels of plastic production and overconsumption which are exceeding our planetary boundaries. The problem must be tackled at its root.
Secondly, the treaty is expected to promote the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means that companies will be responsible for what happens to the plastic that they create, from production all the way through to disposal. This calls for transparent accountability across all organisations and sectors.
Finally, the treaty isn’t just about restricting the use of plastics, but it’s also about encouraging businesses to proactively find alternatives and channel their creativity to create products and packaging that won’t harm the environment and its ecosystems.
From 25th November to 1st December, the fifth and final round of discussions for the UN Global Plastics Treaty will take place. This is a critical phase where world leaders will work to finalise how we rethink, reduce, and responsibly manage plastic.
At BRITA, we’re proud to align our sustainability goals with the vision of the UN Global Plastics Treaty. For us, it’s about going beyond reducing plastic waste—it’s about creating a future where reusable solutions replace single-use plastics.
We champion this through innovative steps like offering recyclable packaging and pioneering water filter recycling programmes. These efforts reflect our belief in a circular economy where resources are reused, not wasted. The treaty represents a pivotal opportunity to drive global change, echoing our mission to reduce environmental impact while helping people make sustainable choices every day.
