World Plastics Council calls for pragmatic collaboration to secure a global treaty to end plastic pollution
Benny Mermans, Chairman of the World Plastics Council and Vice-President Sustainability at CPChem, said:
“We deeply regret that UN member states were unable to reach an agreement to end plastic pollution in Geneva but remain optimistic that a deal is possible.
Securing a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution would be a win for people, the planet, and future generations. To achieve this all parties must recognize that countries and regions face different challenges and have different perspectives. We must not let diverging ambitions get in the way of real-world progress.
I would urge negotiators to focus on what unites us – building waste management capacity and the circular model we all aspire to – and to steer away from contentious issues that threaten the historic opportunity to reach an agreement to end plastic pollution.
The WPC believes that circularity is the fastest and most affordable lever for accelerating the transition to a more sustainable plastics system and ending plastic pollution, while maintaining the utility that plastics offer society. Building circularity into the entire life cycle of plastics – from design, to recycling, to responsible end-of-life – and developing waste management systems for the approximately 2.7 billion people who lack it, should be the cornerstones of the agreement.
The World Plastics Council (WPC) has established itself as a convener of diverse perspectives and expertise throughout the INC process. By bringing together leaders from industry, governments, international organizations, NGOs, and the research community, the WPC has fostered the constructive dialogue and collaboration essential to advancing the ambitious goal of a global plastic treaty. While challenging at times, this process has reinforced our belief that with focus, will, and commitment, a successful outcome to the negotiations can and must be achieved.”
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About World Plastics Council
As the voice of the global industry, the World Plastics Council promotes increased collaboration and dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, including the plastics value chain, governments, the UN, NGOs and researchers. It advocates for policies that reduce plastics waste and drive advances in circularity across the plastics system and globally.