Where Is the Global Policy for Plastic Recycling Bound for in 2023?

Where Is the Global Policy for Plastic Recycling Bound for in 2023?

With more and more nations across the globe becoming increasingly concerned about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment, 2023 is expected to witness crucial changes that can heavily impact the plastic recycling industry. 

Effective recycling of plastics served as an important talking point during global events like the COP27, Negotiations on a global treaty on plastic pollution etc. Dive in to learn more about where the global policy for plastic recycling is headed towards in 2023! 

1. The COP27 

COP27, which took place in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, brought together governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses under one umbrella to come up with different ways to mitigate and prevent the effects of climate change.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime spearheaded a session titled “How combating plastic pollution and illegal traffic in plastic waste can reduce carbon emissions”.

This session served as the only one at COP27 dedicated to recycling and waste, but it provided clear direction for plastic recycling. During the event, United Nations Environment Programme director of the ecosystems division Susan Gardner stressed that the key to the plastics issue was a global circular economy.

Meanwhile, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development head of the trade and commercial diplomacy branch Miho Shirotori opined that packaging materials made from paper and agricultural waste were being extensively looked into by her organization with the intention of finding ways to make global trade of these as cost effective as plastics. “The future is not plastics, but plastic substitutes,” she held.

2. Negotiations on a global treaty on plastic pollution 

These discussions, which took place in Uruguay, consisted of 160 nations in the first of five meetings aimed at developing a global treaty on plastic pollution.

The week-long Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, co-ordinated by the United Nations, came to an agreement that a treaty was of paramount importance. The issue,  however, was the specifics of how that treaty would work.

The main source of concern for plastics recyclers is global trade. Organizations such as the Plastics Industry Association advocated for increased global recycling, while others, like Greenpeace, argue that the use of plastic must be curbed significantly. 

3. A Potential EU ban on Export of  Plastics to non-OECD and OECD Countries in the Coming Years

New Basel Convention rules went into effect in early 2021, imposing stricter restrictions on the export of plastics for recycling.

Since then, the European Commission has been working on tougher export rules, which could result in a ban on non-OECD countries. Despite the fact that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, UK Members of Parliament on Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs have also recommended a ban on plastics exports from the UK by 2027.

To Sum Up 

These events indicate that the global trade in plastics for recycling will be under increasing strain. European countries are making strong efforts to prohibit the export of plastics for recycling.

Meanwhile, other countries, including the United States and the World Trade Organization, are considering trade-based solutions. Whatever happens, it is clear that the trade and recycling of plastics will undergo fundamental changes in the coming years. 

Global leaders are also envisioning a way to effectively replace plastic with more eco-friendly plastic substitutes. At Go Rewise, we are driven by a vision to ensure a greener and more sustainable future which is why we are laser-focused on creating global impact through the production of rPET end-consumer products via rigorous plastic recycling initiatives!