Plastic Pollution Talks Face Hurdles Despite Growing Crisis

On July 16, 2025, activists and students in Surabaya, East Java, protested to raise awareness about the impact of single-use plastics on the environment and human health. They displayed posters and a heart and lungs installation damaged by microplastics.

In 2022, nations agreed to address the plastic crisis by the end of 2024, but talks in Busan, South Korea, failed to reach a consensus. The upcoming discussions, involving delegates from nearly 180 countries, follow this setback. The goal is to address the millions of tons of plastic waste entering the environment annually.

Plastic pollution is widespread, with microplastics found in various environments and even within the human body. The 2022 agreement aimed for a solution by the end of 2024, but disagreements persist.

One group of countries advocates for a globally binding agreement to limit production and phase out harmful chemicals. Conversely, a group of mostly oil-producing nations opposes production limits and prefers focusing on waste treatment.

The stakes are high. Without action, global plastic consumption could triple by 2060. Plastic waste in soils and waterways is projected to increase by 50 percent by 2040.

Approximately 460 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with half being single-use. Less than 10 percent of plastic waste is recycled. Plastics break down into microplastics, which enter the ecosystem and human bodies, with uncertain health consequences.

Despite the complexities, there is hope for a treaty. The text from the failed South Korea talks contained over 300 unresolved points. The main point of contention is whether to restrict the production of new plastic, with petroleum-producing nations opposing limits. Another issue is establishing a list of dangerous chemicals.

Negotiators aim to avoid another round of talks. Developing nations are interested in the talks due to their role as plastic producers or their experience with plastic pollution.

In June, at the UN Oceans Conference, 96 countries called for an ambitious treaty, including a target to reduce plastic production and consumption. The treaty should address the full life cycle of plastics, including production.