New draft of global plastic pollution treaty wouldn't limit plastic
production
[August 14, 2025]
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT
GENEVA (AP) — Negotiators working on a treaty to address global plastic
pollution discussed a new draft of the text Wednesday that wouldn't
limit plastic production or address chemicals used in plastic products.
The biggest issue of the talks has been whether the treaty should impose
caps on producing new plastic or focus instead on things like better
design, recycling and reuse. About 100 countries want to limit
production as well as tackle cleanup and recycling. Many have said it’s
essential to address toxic chemicals.
Powerful oil and gas-producing nations and the plastics industry oppose
production limits. They want a treaty focused on better waste management
and reuse.
Countries with very divergent views expressed disappointment with the
draft. It could change significantly and a new version is expected
Thursday, the last scheduled day of the negotiations.
When they convened Wednesday night, Colombia's delegation said that the
text was entirely unacceptable, because it was unbalanced, and lacked
the ambition and global obligations needed to end plastic pollution. The
delegation said that it wouldn't accept the wording as the basis for
negotiations.
The head of Panama’s delegation to the talks, Juan Carlos Monterrey
Gómez, stood up and cheered. Many delegations made statements to agree,
including Mexico, Chile, Ghana, Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom, the
European Union and the group of small island developing states.
“Let me be clear — this is not acceptable for future generations,” said
Erin Silsbe, representing Canada.
Oil- and gas-producing nations raised other concerns, with Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, Qatar and others saying that the draft doesn't have the scope
they want to set the parameters of the treaty or precise definitions.
[to top of second column]
|
A scavenger sorts out plastic waste at a dumpsite on the outskirts
of Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, Aug 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
The United States said that six articles cross red lines, but didn't
say how.
India’s delegation, on the other hand, said that the draft is a
“good enough starting point.”
The draft contains one mention of plastic production in the
preamble, reaffirming the importance of promoting sustainable
production and consumption of plastics. It doesn't contain an
article on production from a previous draft. There is no mention of
chemicals.
The new provisions seek to reduce the number of problematic plastic
products that often enter the environment and are difficult to
recycle and promote the redesign of plastic products, so that they
can be recycled and reused. Parties to the treaty would improve
their waste management.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, wrote
the draft based on the views expressed by nations over the course of
the negotiations. He told them that he did it to move them closer to
a legally-binding instrument, and they can shape and improve it, as
well as add and delete wording.
With little time left, he said, it's time to build bridges, not dig
in over red lines.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
