Plastics have fuelled global growth across various industries, but at an increasing environmental, economic, and social cost. Today, plastic pollution represents a systemic and transboundary crisis, disproportionately affecting developing countries that have limited capacity for waste management.

Drawing on several outputs from the SMEP Programme, UNCTAD has developed their August Global Trade Update on curbing plastic pollution through mobilising trade.  Some key takeaways from the policy brief include: 

• $1.1 trillion in plastic trade, but 75% ends up as waste
• Tariffs make plastics cheap but penalise natural substitutes
• Plastic pollution outpaces global policy response
• Countries are acting, but regulations are uneven and burdensome
• The $485 billion market for substitutes is growing but under-supported
• Time for a treaty that aligns trade and sustainability

The upcoming Global Plastics Treaty presents a critical opportunity to integrate trade, finance, and digital systems into a cohesive global response. Without aligning trade practices, plastic flows and pollution will continue to rise.