Plastics treaty: ‘Input from recycling industry indispensable’

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is disappointed over the lack of a formal agreement after the latest round of negotiations in Busan, South Korea on a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution.

While emphasising the importance of maintaining momentum to achieve a comprehensive solution, BIR regrets the absence of an international deal at this stage but remains hopeful that future negotiations will yield meaningful results.

‘We strongly advocate for an international legally binding treaty rather than a voluntary agreement,’ says BIR president Susie Burrage. ‘Global action is needed to tackle plastic pollution effectively and we must seize this opportunity to create a robust framework.’

Beyond end-of-life

BIR believes the treaty’s potential hinges on the involvement of key stakeholders, including the recycling industry. Arnaud Brunet, BIR’s director general, stresses: ‘Input from the recycling industry is indispensable. Our voices must be heard in these negotiations to ensure practical, sustainable solutions are implemented. This is not just an end-of-life issue; it’s about addressing the lifecycle of plastics from production to disposal.’

Three points of contention

The negotiations remain stalled due to three main points of contention. First is the treaty’s scope, with debate over whether it should address the entire lifecycle of plastics, including production, or focus solely on post-consumer waste. Second is the definition of plastic pollution, where some countries arguing it should include emissions and hazardous substances from production, while others insist it relates only to end-of-life management. Lastly, there is disagreement over whether the treaty should enforce binding commitments or be voluntary, reflecting the different national priorities and capacities. ‘These unresolved issues have significantly hindered progress in forming a global consensus,’ says BIR.