UN plastic treaty proposed core objectives categorized

See all of the images showing country submissions on options for elements of a plastic treaty. Image credits: U.S. Energy Information Administration/Center for International Environmental Law

As an accredited observer organization of the United Nations plastic treaty process, OpenOceans Global analyzed the 12 proposed core objectives and placed them into the following four categories to simplify and focus this important international work.

1. The impacts of plastic pollution.
2. Mechanical mechanisms for addressing plastic in the waste stream.
3. Supply chain modifications to reduce plastic from reaching the waste stream.
4. Research, education, and communications to improve both the waste stream and the supply chain.

1. The impacts of plastic pollution. 

These two proposed core objectives acknowledge the harm caused by plastic and why a plastic treaty is needed. The original 12 objectives noted the need to protect human health but did not include the need to protect natural populations, so we added that objective below.

• Protecting human health from the adverse effects of plastic pollution.

• Protecting natural populations (marine environments and wildlife) from the adverse effects of plastic pollution - added by OpenOceans Global because it was missing.

2. Mechanical mechanisms for addressing plastic in the waste stream.

Plastic will continue to flow into the environment in general and the ocean specifically for decades to come, so mechanical mechanisms are needed to stop the flow now.

• Eliminating the release and emission of plastics to water, soil, and air.

• Addressing existing plastic pollution.

• Strengthening waste management.

3. Supply chain modifications to reduce the amount of plastic reaching the waste stream. 

To successfully stop the flow of plastic via the supply chain requires restructuring or replacement of multiple industries and/or industrial processes.

• Banning, phasing out and/or reducing the production, consumption, and use of problematic and avoidable plastic products.

• Banning, phasing out and/or reducing the production, consumption, and use of chemicals and polymers of concern.

• Reducing microplastics.

• Phasing out and/or reducing the supply of, demand for, and use of primary plastic polymers.

4. Research, education, and communications campaigns. 

Much research will be needed to achieve the complete elimination of plastic flow into the environment. The research will need to be communicated to educate a global community of governments, businesses, and individuals about the best practices, new technologies, and other information certain to emerge. Some will be funded by stakeholder industries, others by government and philanthropy, but these four proposed core objectives can be worked on while work on the waste stream and supply chain are mobilized.

• Fostering design for circularity.

• Encouraging reduction, reuse, and repair of plastic products and packaging.

• Promoting the use of safe, sustainable alternatives and substitutes.

• Facilitating a just transition, including an inclusive transition of the informal waste sector.

NOTE: OpenOceans Global did not analyze financing, enforcement, and other important aspects of the treaty and looks forward to the dialogue on plastic treaty issues.

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