Geneva, Switzerland (Enmaeya News) — After 10 days of talks, international negotiators in Geneva failed to agree on a treaty to reduce plastic pollution, leaving global efforts at a standstill. Delegates could not reach consensus on limiting production, nor did they set a new date for further discussions, raising fears that the fight against plastic waste is losing momentum.
More than 100 countries supported strict limits on plastic output. But powerful oil-producing nations, joined by major corporations and industry lobbyists, opposed such rules, warning they would damage their economies and threaten jobs. Their resistance blocked any deal.
Farah Al-Hattab, Greenpeace MENA’s representative, called the outcome “a wake-up call to the world,” stressing that every delay comes at a cost to both people and the planet.
Rising Plastic Production
The world produces about 450 million tons of new plastic every year, and the OECD expects that number could rise 70% by 2040. Large amounts of waste end up in landfills, rivers, oceans, and even human bodies in the form of microplastics.
The climate impact is also serious. Since plastic is made almost entirely from fossil fuels, it contributed 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 — around 1.8 billion tons, according to the UN.
The Recycling Debate
Recycling remains at the center of the debate, but experts question its effectiveness. Only about 6% of plastic is recycled globally. Different chemical structures and colors make plastics far more difficult to reuse than paper, glass, or metal.
Critics say recycling has been oversold. Some scientists call it a “false solution” promoted by corporations to avoid production cuts. California has even sued ExxonMobil, accusing the oil giant of misleading the public about recycling’s true limits.
Alternatives and Redesign
Industry leaders suggest that reuse and redesign can help reduce waste. Refillable packaging and single-material products could make recycling easier. Researchers are also exploring alternatives made from renewable resources such as seaweed. But these solutions are still in their early stages and far from widespread adoption.
For now, the absence of a treaty means the world must rely on recycling, reuse, and product redesign — strategies many experts warn are not enough to confront a crisis that is growing every year.
