The plastic pandemic

Still no deal on plastic pollution as treaty negotiations end in deadlock

- By MAT T. RICHTER

A new pandemic grips the planet. Not one that confines us to our homes, but one that demands we confront our addiction to convenience before it consumes us all. Plastics, a human invention, now permeate every corner of our world, infiltrating even the food we eat.

Only we humans can stop it. No hero or miracle machine will vacuum plastics off the planet. And if even one did, it would miss the underlying drivers, such as ongoing production practices and systemic support for unsustainable materials.

There was a glimmer of hope in March 2022 when 175 nations convened to craft the first legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The treaty aims to address the entire lifecycle of plastics, from design to disposal. However, progress fell short anew in August 2025, when negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, ended in deadlock, marked by deep divisions and unresolved questions.

No deal made

What stunned many countries during the second half of the fifth round of the talks was the lack of urgency. The only thing concrete in the room was perhaps its walls. No binding commitments emerged, not even actionable plans to address the global plastic crisis.

According to the World Economic Forum, any treaty proposals must be agreed upon by all participating nations. Yet, consensus remained elusive, particularly on whether the treaty should impose restrictions on new plastic production or focus instead on waste management, reuse, and improved product design.

According to the UN Environment Programme, the session followed a “structured approach,” tackling key areas such as plastic design, chemicals of concern, production caps, financing, compliance mechanisms, and progress assessments, alongside informal consultations.