To achieve a Treaty that ends plastic pollution by producing fewer, but better and higher-value plastics,
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
makes the following suggestions:
- Cover the entire lifecycle: The Treaty must address every stage, from material extraction, through production and use, to waste management and remediation.
- Include chemicals: To ensure plastics are safer and more sustainable, the scope of the Treaty should cover all chemicals associated with plastic products.
- Establish an independent advisory body: Mandate a subsidiary body of scientists and knowledge holders who are free from conflicts of interest to guide implementation.
- Develop essentiality criteria: Introduce clear criteria to help ensure that only essential plastic products – those that bring clear benefits to society or the environment – are produced.
- Develop safety and sustainability criteria: Set criteria to help ensure plastic products are safer and more sustainable.
- Prevent regrettable substitutions: Use the same criteria to evaluate potential alternative materials and plastic substitutes.
- Adopt a groupings approach: Categorise chemicals or products of concern into groups, making it easier to regulate safety, sustainability and essentiality.
- Adopt a sectoral approach: Tailor regulatory implementation and exemptions that consider the unique circumstances of various sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, transportation and healthcare.
- Develop robust testing, standards and labelling: Ensure transparency and accountability, and facilitate trade of essential, safe and sustainable plastic products.
- Establish appropriate financing: Ensure the transition to ending plastic pollution is equitable and inclusive, safeguarding local and national economies and communities.
