Greenzone supports ambitious Global Plastics Treaty at UN talks in Geneva

As over 170 countries gather in Geneva for what is widely seen as the final round of negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme, Greenzone is adding its voice to call for a bold, legally binding agreement that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic.

With current recycling systems capturing only around 10% of global plastic waste, it’s clear that recycling alone cannot solve the plastic pollution crisis. Greenzone advocates for a comprehensive treaty that addresses plastics from design and production through to recovery and reuse, in line with UN scientific guidance and the High Ambition Coalition’s vision.

At the heart of Greenzone’s stance is the need to reduce virgin plastic production, invest in sustainable alternatives, and strengthen recycling systems that deliver measurable environmental and health outcomes. However, in Geneva, major oil-producing nations and petrochemical interests continue to resist production caps, instead promoting voluntary measures and an overreliance on recycling.

One critical component of an effective treaty is the inclusion of robust Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework globally. Greenzone believes that producers must be fully accountable for the environmental impact of their products from packaging design through to end-of-life recovery. A Strong EPR scheme not only incentivise better design and material choices but also help fund collection and recycling infrastructure, especially in under-resourced regions.

Janice Lack said: “Extended Producer Responsibility is not just about waste – it’s about fairness, accountability, and system-wide transformation. For a true circular economy to thrive we need producers to take ownership, there needs to be clear policies, and businesses like ours are here to help deliver the recovery solutions.”

As negotiations reach a critical point, Greenzone remains hopeful that a global agreement can be reached – one that bridges the gap between production reduction and waste management, closes regulatory loopholes, and empowers everyone involved to act.

Sources: BBC news, The Guardian, Reuters