Efforts to create a global plastic treaty have stalled, leaving cities and states to lead the fight against plastic pollution in the U.S.
James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Global negotiations on a binding treaty to curb plastic pollution hit an impasse, delaying progress until at least 2025.
- U.S. states and cities are taking the lead by proposing and enacting plastic reduction and recycling legislation.
- Environmental advocates brace for potential deregulatory policies under a new Trump administration, which could boost plastic production.
Key quote:
“It would have been incredibly useful to have a binding international agreement. But we still have to do something absent that, and state and local governments are where the action will be.”
— Judith Enck, founder and president of Beyond Plastics
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution harms public health and the environment, with marginalized communities often bearing the brunt of plastic production’s toxic impacts. State and local policies may become crucial tools in reducing plastic waste, especially if federal efforts falter.
