Countries fail to reach agreement in UN plastic talks
Busan, South Korea Reuters Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on Monday, with more than 100 nations wanting to cap production while a handful of oil-producers were prepared only to target plastic waste. The fifth UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting intended to yield a legally binding global […]
Over 100 countries back plastic treaty caps as talks reach fierce finish
Busan, South Korea Reuters Negotiators aiming for an international treaty to curb plastic pollution are set for fierce debate on the last day of scheduled talks, as over 100 countries supportive of a pact that would cap plastic production face off against a handful of oil-producing countries who want it focused just on waste. The […]
UN talks struggle for breakthrough on plastics treaty as deadline looms
Busan, South Korea Reuters The chairman of talks aiming for an international treaty to rein in pollution from plastics issued a document on Friday outlining measures that could furnish the basis of a pact, in an attempt to spur discussions as a 1st December deadline approaches. South Korea is hosting delegates from about 175 countries […]
Essay: A tax on new plastic would slash waste – if built into the global treaty on plastics
In an article first published on The Conversation, AMELIA LEAVESLEY, a research fellow in urban sustainability at The University of Melbourne, looks at the impacts of a global tax on new plastic…
Countries remain divided as fifth UN plastics treaty talks begin
Reuters As delegates from 175 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea on Monday for the fifth round of talks aimed at securing an international treaty to curb plastic pollution, lingering divisions cast doubts on whether a final agreement is in sight. South Korea is hosting the fifth and ostensibly final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) […]
Postcards: Japanese manicurist takes on plastic pollution, one nail at a time
TOM BATEMAN, of Reuters, says Japanese manicurist Naomi Arimoto acknowledges her nail art is a drop in an ocean of plastic pollution, but says raising consciousness of the problem is a step towards a solution…
South Korea’s mountain of plastic waste shows limits of recycling
Seoul, South Korea Reuters South Korea has won international praise for its recycling efforts, but as it prepares to host talks for a global plastic waste agreement, experts say the country’s approach highlights its limits. When the talks known as INC-5 kick off in Busan next week, debate is expected to centre around whether a […]
Essay: “Everywhere we looked we found evidence” – the godfather of microplastics on 20 years of pollution research and the fight for global action
International expert on microplastics, RICHARD THOMPSON – in an article first published on The Conversation – says it’s frustrating to see the lack of consensus among nations about how to address the global problem of plastic pollution…
Postcards: Indonesia fishing village grapples with piles of trash brought in by tides
WILLY KURNIAWAN, of Reuters, reports from the fishing village of Teluk…
EU lawmakers consider stronger plastic pollution law after spill hits Spain
Brussels, Belgium Reuters Some European Union lawmakers are pushing to strengthen a planned law on microplastics pollution, after millions of plastic pellets washed up on the coast of Spain’s north-western Galicia region. Tiny plastic pellets are used to manufacture everyday items from water bottles to shopping bags. They are also an environmental menace, adding to […]