ICCA and the Global Partners for Plastics Circularity are championing a global plastics pollution agreement rooted in a circular economy for plastics, where plastics are designed for reuse and recycling, and used plastics are collected and remade into new products instead of being discarded or becoming plastic pollution.
The Basel Convention sets global guidance for the transboundary movement of waste, including plastic waste, in an environmentally sound manner. As an accredited observer, ICCA supports effective implementation that advances safe waste management, recycling, investment and innovation toward a circular economy for plastics.
Plastics are critical to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, helping expand access to clean water, improve health outcomes, reduce food loss, increase energy efficiency, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. From food packaging and medical devices to water pipes, insulation and renewable energy technologies, plastics enable innovation, improve product performance and efficiency, and help the world develop more sustainably.
But we cannot fully realize plastics’ sustainability benefits unless we keep plastic waste out of the environment and collect many more used plastics so they can be made into new products. Achieving this requires a systems approach to prevent plastic pollution, one that scales innovation, spurs recycling access and infrastructure, and provides solid waste collection to the 2.7 billion people lacking it worldwide, the primary driver of plastic pollution.
That is why ICCA and its members support an effective global agreement to help end plastic pollution while preserving the benefits plastics provide to society.
ICCA remains committed to advancing the safe management of waste and chemicals globally, and helping governments develop practical, locally appropriate solutions to keep plastic waste out of the environment. That commitment is reflected in the tools, resources, webinars, fact sheets, and scientific initiatives ICCA and its partners around the world have developed for government negotiators and other stakeholders.
ICCA is championing a plastics pollution agreement underpinned by a circular economy for plastics, where end-of-life plastics become new products. Around the globe, plastic makers and the value chain have invested billions of dollars in recycling infrastructure and product design innovations to help make this vision a reality.
To tackle plastic products prone to becoming pollution, the Global Partners for Plastics Circularity developed a Decision Tree Assessment Tool to help governments identify and prioritize actions nationally or locally for high-leakage plastic products.
To help governments understand the potential impacts of a plastic production cap in the global agreement, ICCA commissioned a report by Oxford Economics examining the potential unintended environmental and economic consequences.
Additionally, ICCA has developed and deployed its Plastic Additives Database to improve transparency on additives used in plastics. The database provides governments, regulators, and other stakeholders with accessible information on their use, function, hazard classifications and risk assessments, and regulations of specific additives under existing chemical management programs and laws.
These resources demonstrate the extensive expertise industry can bring to the global plastics pollution agreement. ICCA remains committed to sharing data, tools, and technical knowledge with governments as they work to address their unique challenges to tackle plastic pollution and enhance circularity efforts.
Chemicals Management
(PDF)
Chemicals Management
(PDF)
Chemicals Management
(PDF)
Chemicals Management
(PDF)
