The Growing Plastic Danger

Plastics are no longer just an occasional inconvenience; they’re now being classed as a global crisis. With so many microplastics and nanoplastics, in the air, oceans and human bloodstreams, the danger posed to the planet is immense and rising. According to Surfers Against Sewage, over 1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption contains plastic and approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year.

Due to the rising danger, the UN designed the foundation for a solution with the UN Plastics Treaty.

The UN Plastic Treaty

Between the 5th and 14th of August 2025, global representatives are convening in Geneva for the fifth and final negotiation sessions of the treaty; officially to be known as the “International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution”. This treaty is being spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and aims to eliminate plastic pollution by addressing the problem across its entire life cycle – design to production to disposal and then cleanup.

This treaty is expected to establish a legally binding commitment that various nations will adopt and implement in their new eras of ushering in accountability, innovation and circular economic systems. One 

What Could This Change?

Although plastic harms the planet, there are various beneficial uses of it; the focus is on ensuring the life cycle is not harmful to the planet. As such, the treaty once established could do the following –

• Heavily reduce single-use plastics
• Redesign products to be safer and easier to recycle
• Enforce transparency around harmful chemicals in plastic production
• Ensure major manufacturers and producers are held accountable through global levies or funds
• Support lower-income countries to build waste management infrastructure and be more circular

For the most vulnerable communities, the treaty could represent vital progress in protecting health, livelihoods and local ecosystems.

The Stakes

Again, the urgency behind the treaty cannot be overstated. Plastic pollution definitely contributes to climate change, negatively affects marine life and disproportionately harms communities least responsible for the growing problem.

Looking at it critically, there is a potential risk that negotiations might see burdens unfairly shifted. Responsibilities might be shifted away from multinational producers and unto nations with limited capacity to manage plastic waste. To combat this, various human rights experts at the UN have urged negotiators to consider justice and equity at the core of the treaty, recognising the contributing roles of informal waste collectors and frontline communities. This is due to these individuals currently recovering up to 60% of the world’s recycled plastic.

Our Stance On The Treaty

Circular&Co supports this treaty quite easily, especially as our mission states that –

We are on a mission to make Circular Design the new standard

Our focus has always been striving for global change by engaging the core principles of Circular Design and this treaty positively contributes to that. By encouraging proper life cycles for plastic, this naturally reduces the waste in ecosystems and encourages making more lasting products. For a more fun explanation, watch our animation explaining Circular Design here.

With more people joining the Circular Design approach, we can all take steps together towards a sustainable future.

Summary

Key takeaways to know about the UN Plastics treaty for any day would be –

1. It’s Legally Binding – Countries that sign will need to follow enforceable rules aimed at reducing plastic pollution
2. It Covers the Whole Plastic Life Cycle – Every stage from production and design to end of life disposal
3. Prioritises Human Rights – Waste pickers, coastal communities and vulnerable populations have to be protected and empowered
4. Prevention Focused – Emphasis will be on product redesign, safer materials and improved recycling
5. Makes Polluters Pay – Global fund could hold major manufactures and producers finally responsible