The American Chemistry Council says the United Nations plastics treaty is its top policy priority in 2024. But is the plastics industry paying attention to the debate?
Plastics industry reaction to the UN plastics treaty talks was a key topic of the February Plastics in Politics Live (recording below). Steve Toloken, who attended the talks in Paris and Kenya last year, shared his insights about the debate and from ACC’s recent media briefing, where officials said the treaty is a top priority.
Viewers had questions about what impact the treaty could have on the plastics industry.
“Well, that’s interesting,” Toloken said. “There’s a very strong argument at the treaty that you hear from the consumer product companies — or at least the ones that are heavily participating in the treaty, and a group called the Business Coalition for Global plastics treaty — and they’re pushing for much stronger global standards and rules around things like EPR and recycled content and things like that.
“Because they’re saying that they will have much more financial stability and market stability to use recycled plastic if there are really strong rules in place, specifying what government should do creating standards. So that’s the first thing that comes to mind when the question of how the treaty will impact [the plastics industry].
Toloken and Don Loepp also discussed challenges and controversies surrounding plastics waste and recycling, including differences between industry and NGO groups. They also discussed regulatory efforts related to fluorination treatment and PFAS.
Finally, they covered the Environmental Protection Agency’s review of VCM, a chemical used in the production of PVC, including questions during a Senate hearing on whether the review will be fair and based on science.
Don questioned the agency’s fairness in reviewing VCM, while the EPA assistant administrator assured the committee that the review will be based on science.
The next Plastics in Politics Live will be Tuesday, April 9.