While the terms of the treaty are still to be negotiated, it could include measures that promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics, as well as more environmentally sound waste management.
It is also hoped the treaty will help to tackle marine plastic pollution; it’s predicted that unless action is taken there will be a threefold increase in the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean between 2016 and 2040.
The new treaty follows a survey from WWF last month that found that nearly 90 per cent of people supported such a deal. The Ipsos poll of over 20,000 adults across 28 countries also found that three-quarters of respondents supported a total ban on single-use plastics.
The UK’s new Environment Act gives the government new powers to tackle plastic pollution. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has also committed to introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in efforts to boost the recycling of plastic...