Global Treaty Could Drastically Reduce Plastic Pollution by 2050

Researchers propose four key policies to tackle plastic waste and emissions ahead of crucial UN negotiations.

Without intervention, plastic pollution is expected to double by 2050, posing significant environmental and health risks.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara highlight the potential of a UN treaty to reduce plastic pollution by 91% through four targeted policies.
The proposed measures include using 40% recycled plastic in new products, capping production at 2020 levels, enhancing waste management, and imposing fees on packaging.
An AI-powered tool developed by the researchers allows negotiators to model the impact of different policy combinations on pollution and emissions.
Implementing these policies could also cut greenhouse gas emissions by a third, equivalent to removing 300 million vehicles from the road annually.