That is certainly the question our industry is trying to answer following the U.N. Plastics Treaty talks in Canada, where participating countries wrapped up their fourth of five planned discussions to draft a resolution to address the growing problem. Experts from around the globe gathered to seek a unified solution, but they are not there yet.
I’m not surprised that world leaders have not yet come up with a resolution. It is great to set global aspirations, but difficult if not impossible to create legislation across states– much less across countries.
Environmentalists, engineers, and industry leaders discussed solutions ranging from limiting production on new plastics, to tariffs on production, reengineering materials to make packaging more earth-friendly and, of course, recycling.
I believe it will take a combination of solutions working together to address the global issue. Recycling is important, as well as mining and recycling plastics currently in landfills. Mining can be efficient and economical, and it doesn’t rely solely on the consumer to be a diligent recycler.
The experts and environmentalists will be back at the table in November when treaty talks resume Busan, Korea. I hope to see the current aspirations codified, with a focus on standardizing approval processes for new packaging. Unified guidelines are a great start and could be implemented by each country in its own way. If world leaders can agree on a plan, it will be the most significant action related to climate change and environmental protection since the 2015 Paris Agreement.
At Circular Solutions Advisors, we will be watching and cheering them on.
