While PET is already 100% recyclable & made to be remade, on the 2nd of March 2022 the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi (UNEA 5.2) agreed to develop a treaty on plastic pollution. The objective is to promote the sustainable production & consumption of plastics.
An intergovernmental negotiating committee will negotiate the details & complete its work by 2024.
The intergovernmental committee will develop approaches based on the full lifecycle of plastic, including product design, waste management, resource efficiency and the circular economy. The treaty will look to National Action Plans that prevent, reduce and eliminate plastic pollution. A multi-stakeholder action agenda will also be initiated. The following measures will support eliminating the pollution & emissions the treaty targets:
✅ Large PET bottle-using brands have already declared science-based net-zero targets.
✅ By law, 9 out of 10 PET bottles will be collected for recycling in the EU by 2030.
✅ PET soft drink and water bottles are a unique type of plastic packaging and are recycled in practice and at scale in Europe right now.
If you are keen to learn more, please read the full text of the draft resolution "End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument".
