World Plastics Council Calls for Global Plastic Treaty to Focus on Circular Economy

On July 29, the World Plastics Council (WPC) recently called on governments worldwide to focus on circular economy models while developing an "ambitious and implementable" global plastics treaty.

WPC Chair Benny Mermans urged negotiators to "avoid controversial issues that could jeopardize this historic opportunity." The previous negotiations in Busan collapsed primarily because governments failed to reach consensus on key issues such as overall limits on plastic production. Mermans stated: "Over the past two years, we have consistently worked to build consensus among stakeholders and find effective solutions to end plastic pollution. To ensure the treaty is practical, equitable, and forward-looking, we recommend focusing on shared goals—establishing waste management systems and advancing the circular economy model."

The WPC emphasized in its statement that the circular economy represents the fastest and most cost-effective pathway to building a sustainable plastics system and eliminating plastic pollution, while preserving the societal benefits of plastics. It stressed that integrating circular economy principles throughout the entire lifecycle of plastics and establishing waste management systems for approximately 2.7 billion people who currently lack them should form the core pillars of the agreement.

"Enhancing the economic value of plastic waste as recycled feedstock is key to accelerating this transition," Mermans explained. "The higher the value of waste plastics, the greater the incentive for people to avoid littering, landfilling, or incinerating them, and instead opt for reuse and recycling. This will significantly boost investments in waste management infrastructure and innovative technologies, driving economic growth and job creation."

The WPC believes achieving a circular plastics economy requires multiple policy drivers: establishing sustainable financing mechanisms, stimulating demand through mandatory recycled content targets, implementing application-focused strategies for high-leakage plastics, enabling international trade in recycled raw materials, and optimizing product design. The organization also emphasized that the agreement must respect the diverse challenges faced by different countries and regions.

Following the failure to reach consensus at the December 2024 negotiations in Busan, South Korea, the second session of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on ending plastic pollution will resume on August 4 in Geneva.