Recent progress towards achieving an international plastics convention

Abstract

This paper identifies that plastic is not only a severe environmental problem, but also a global existential risk that needs greater prioritising in global policy. While issues of macro-scale pollution are increasingly well-known, the role of plastic in other areas such as micro-scale contamination, and the strain plastic production places on global resource limits, enjoys less attention. Focusing on recent data and new or emerging developments, I examine the extent to which a binding international convention on plastics can be considered critical in addressing the many problems caused by plastic and plastic packaging. I argue for the need to understand the problems of plastic holistically and solve them in the same way; by recognising that treaties and conventions are just one critical step among others. Business-led innovations towards circular economies and other emergent, self-organising movements are of equal importance. These other developments represent both near-term solutions, achievable before a convention will be realised, and the precursory steps necessary for creating a binding, international plastics convention.