Global Treaty Talks on Plastic Pollution Approach as EPA Unveils New U.S. Strategy

The EPA's plan emphasizes reducing single-use plastics and producer responsibility, but international negotiators face divisions over key measures like capping virgin plastic production.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution ahead of United Nations treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea, set to conclude December 1.
• The EPA strategy focuses on reducing single-use plastic production, improving recycling systems, and implementing extended producer responsibility frameworks to hold companies accountable for waste management.
• Industry groups expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting recycling improvements and others cautioning against measures that could impact U.S. manufacturing or shift production overseas.
• Environmental advocates and researchers argue that capping virgin plastic production and addressing the full lifecycle of plastics are critical to combating pollution effectively.
• The upcoming treaty negotiations face challenges, including opposition from oil-producing nations, but proponents draw parallels to successful global agreements like the Montreal Protocol.

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