UN Plastics Treaty talks collapse following divisions over production caps

Negotiations on a UN international treaty to eliminate plastics pollution failed to come to an agreement at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, or INC-5, meeting in Busan, South Korea, and talks will resume in 2025, the UN Environmental Program said in a statement Dec. 2.

Talks from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 revealed stark divides over core issues, including capping plastic production, regulations, and funding.

"It is clear there is persisting divergence in critical areas and more time is needed for these areas to be addressed," UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said in the statement.

The negotiations highlighted a split between more than 100 countries — including the UK and several African and South American nations — advocating for binding caps on plastics production, and polymer-producing nations, such as Saudi Arabia, strongly opposing efforts to reduce plastic production, opting to focus on recycling and waste-management policies.

Last month, US Senate Republicans voiced strong opposition to restrictions on plastic production in a letter as well, warning the Biden administration against endorsing measures that would limit the creation of new plastics or phase out certain materials.

This collapse comes following rising global calls for ambitious action on plastic pollution.

CEOs from major consumer-goods companies who belong to Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, including Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever, had urged governments and policymakers ahead of INC-5 in a joint letter to pursue a treaty to end plastic pollution.

Despite the failed outcome of the INC-5 meeting, in an optimistic statement released Dec. 2, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty said: "We are encouraged by the increased alignment amongst over 100 countries on critical elements such as global phase-outs and sustainable levels of plastic production."

Negotiators committed to resuming treaty discussions in 2025 in a follow-up session, designated INC 5.2.

"The world's commitment to ending plastic pollution is clear and undeniable," Andersen said Dec. 1.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, last assessed recycled HDPE natural bales at 70 cents/lb and recycled PET curbside bales at 18.5 cents/lb, both FOB Chicago on Dec. 2.