Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] The world's oceans currently harbour around 200 million tonnes of plastics, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem. Blue Flag
• [New] In the long term, Sri Lanka could attempt to undertake several mitigating actions including legislating and enforcing bans on single-use plastics, promoting public awareness campaigns, and continuing to work with regional and international partners to combat plastic pollution. The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute
• [New] Governments are urged to implement policies that limit plastic use, as seen in Indonesia's ambitious goal to reduce plastic waste by 70% by 2025 and enforce a nationwide ban on single-use plastics by 2029. Blogger
• [New] The amount of plastic waste produced globally is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfills and less than a fifth recycled, if current trends continue. SpringerLink
• [New] South Korea has made significant strides in waste management, aiming to halve plastic waste by 2030 and increase recycling rates to 70%. Packaging Gateway
• [New] The enormous amount of plastic production, its ubiquitous use, and unstructured disposal make them a pervasive pollutant that impacts human health, the environment, and poses an existential threat to the planet. Times Kuwait
• Unlike waste management-focused efforts, the Global Plastics Treaty is an opportunity to take a more comprehensive approach to the plastic crisis. Break Free From Plastic
• All countries must come forward with bold pledges including a biodiversity target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, to tackle plastic pollution, overfishing and for greater governance of the high seas. The Guardian
• North Somerset Council will this month being collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrappings as part of an overhaul of the waste services offered to households. MRW
• Myne is confident that demand for recycled plastics will boom after 2030, when many European countries are expected to enforce legislation mandating the use of recycled content in packaging. Polyestertime
• Based on current trends, global demand for plastics is projected to double by 2050, which has severe implications for the environment and human health. Population Connection
• North Somerset Council will this month begin collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrappings as part of an overhaul of the waste services offered to households. MRW
• Australia will join other nations in Switzerland in August for a final round of negotiations on the global plastics treaty. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• The UK government has previously confirmed that the Circular Economy Taskforce will focus, as a priority, on the following 5 sectors: textiles, transport, construction, agri-food and chemicals & plastics. Walker Morris
• The upcoming final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty is a critical opportunity to call on governments to collaborate in addressing plastics pollution through a full life cycle approach to protect human health. LSHTM
• Economic Costs: India could lose USD 133 billion in material value due to plastic waste by 2030, with significant municipal spending on waste management. EDUREV.IN
• Plastic pollution exacerbates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, threatening food security, livelihoods, and health worldwide. Countercurrents
• The resumed negotiations for the plastic treaty in 2025 presents a crucial opportunity to finalise an agreement that matches the scale and urgency of the plastic pollution crisis. UNSW Sites
• For decades, plastic pollution has been a major concern as plastics are produced and consumed at an unsustainable rate, which puts the world's health, economic, and social well-being at risk. Vatican News
• Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to food security and public health, advocating for strategies such as banning unnecessary single-use plastics, promoting reusable alternatives, and holding producers accountable through circular economy policies. Krishak Jagat
• In 2025 the spotlight is on plastic pollution, one of the most urgent and pervasive threats to ecosystems, biodiversity and human health. Sunday Observer
• Lack of control and undisciplined disposing of plastic waste has become a serious danger of plastic pollution across the world at present. Global New Light Of Myanmar
• In just two months, countries will come together to try to hammer out a new global treaty to end plastic pollution. India

Last updated: 07 July 2025