Industry Leaders Push for Strong Global Treaty to Tackle Plastic Pollution

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) hosted a roundtable to examine ways to combat plastic pollution in advance of the fifth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), which will take place in Busan, Korea, at the end of November this year. The participants advocated for a robust international plastic pollution treaty.

Leading businesses from the industry, including Tesco and Unilever, attended the event, which was co-chaired by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Secretary of State for Defra Steve Reed.

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Global regulations and financing sources for combating plastic pollution were the main topics of debate. In order to address the growing problems of plastic pollution worldwide, a joint statement issued by the participants urged for the creation of a global convention that could enforce stringent international norms. Additionally, it demands assistance from the public and private sectors.

In order to enable nations in the global south to boost their investments in infrastructure, skills, and essential solutions to address the plastic pollution challenge, Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, emphasized the necessity for inclusive finance structures.