US shifts stance on global plastics limits, impacting industry talks

In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration announced its support for limits on plastic production during closed-door meetings this week, marking a departure from its previous stance that focused on recycling and litter cleanup. This change was confirmed by the State Department and is expected to influence the upcoming negotiations for a global plastics treaty, which is set to be finalized in 2025. The US had previously aligned with oil-producing nations like China and Russia, opposing restrictions on plastic manufacturing. Environmental organizations welcomed the US's new position, viewing it as a potential catalyst for momentum towards production limits. A coalition of countries advocating for stringent regulations, including Canada and the UK, has been pushing for measures to prevent further plastic production, as only 9% of the 460 million metric tons produced annually is recycled. The US's support for creating a list of problematic plastics and hazardous chemicals further aligns it with this coalition. Industry groups, however, expressed strong disapproval, claiming that the decision could harm US manufacturers and lead to job losses. Chris Jahn, president of the American Chemistry Council, criticized the administration for yielding to environmental groups, arguing that this could undermine the US's influence in treaty negotiations. He emphasized that the Senate's approval is necessary for ratification, suggesting that the new position may not receive bipartisan support. Despite industry backlash, public sentiment appears to favor ambitious policies to tackle the plastics crisis, with nearly 90% of Americans supporting measures to reduce production. Advocates are optimistic that the US will actively pursue these positions in the next round of negotiations in South Korea.