Production

Limiting the global production of primary plastics is necessary to curb greenhouse gas emissions as well as the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. This report proposes one possible approach.

This brief demonstrates the central role of plastic polymers in the full life cycle of plastics from supply chain and pollution perspectives. It looks at precedents to establish that the full life cycle approach mandated in UNEA Resolution 5/14 encompasses the production of plastics, understood as transforming raw materials into a specific substance — in this case, plastic polymers.

This brief aims to inform the plastic treaty negotiations by analyzing and comparing three models used in MEAs to control the production of specific substances or the emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG). Its goal is to draw lessons from these models and translate them into specific policy recommendations.

The pollution resulting from rampant overproduction of virgin plastics is irreversible, directly undermines our health, drives biodiversity loss, exacerbates climate change and risks generating large-scale harmful environmental changes. As the plastics pollution crisis continues to grow, so does the case for a global plastics treaty that tackles the issue head-on and seeks to reduce the production of virgin plastics.

Plastics and food packaging contain chemical contaminants from manufacturing along with many additives. Many of these additives are toxic and they leak from products during use and can be released during recycling and from recycled products. This study focuses on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), whose releases are closely linked to plastic waste. 

This website explains reuse and reuse systems, shares success stories and provides resources. It also offers a call to action for individuals and organizations.

The results of this survey demonstrate that there is overwhelming public support for the Global Plastics Treaty to cut plastic production, end single-use plastics and advance reuse-based solutions. This sends a strong message to the governments negotiating the Global Plastics Treaty.

This library on the global plastics treaty provides a wealth of publications, websites, and communication tools related to the plastics treaty negotiations.

Global Plastic Laws is an extensive database and resource library focused on plastic legislation that has been passed around the world.

This interactive open source tool projects impacts of plastics policies using machine learning / artificial intelligence. Users can explore regionalized data about the production, use and fate of plastic and the effectiveness of potential policies world leaders could use to eradicate related pollution.