This story was originally published byGrist.
They pledged tonegotiate a treatyto end plastic pollution, with the goal of delivering a final draft by 2025.
Yet they claim to support the agreement.
Photo: Roman Mikhailiuk (Shutterstock)
Theyre even championing it, according to statements from a handful of industry groups.
So what exactly do plastic-producing companies want from the treaty?
These numbers matter, because the plastic industrys influence over the treaty negotiations seems to be growing stronger.
At the same time, several delegations promoted solutions on the industrys terms.
After all, plastics come with myriad benefits.
Generally, this means more recycling.
Perhaps the biggest problem faced by circularity proponents is plastics abysmal recycling rate.
Indeed, plastics circularity hinges on the possibility of a better recycling rate.
Plastics Europe and the World Plastics Council declined to be interviewed for this article.
Industry groups are also supportive but only of a very specific approach.
Some of them can be recycled, and some of them cant.
Most of this reduction would come from the infrastructure funding.
McCauley, one of the creators of the tool, said these policies are certainly better than nothing.
But it requires a huge amount of effort elsewhere.
Theres no reason the plastics treaty couldnt incorporate a production cap in addition to the industrys preferred recycling interventions.
She too emphasized, however, that governments should prioritize reducing plastic production.
Its a matter of survival.
This article originally appeared inGristathttps://grist.org/accountability/petrochemical-industry-global-plastics-treaty-production-cap-recycling-policies/.
Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future.
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