Sameer Joshi, a polymer technologist, provides insight into the UN’s comprehensive approach to addressing the plastic life cycle

In March 2022, during the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly, the Global Plastic Treaty took centre stage, drawing attention from 175 out of 193 countries present.  Sameer Joshi, Vice-Chairman of the Indian Plastics Institute and an acclaimed polymer technologist specialising in plastic recycling sheds light on this significant development.

The assembly passed a resolution urging the executive director of the United Nations to organise an intergovernmental negotiating committee. This committee is tasked with formulating a policy grounded in a comprehensive approach to address the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal and design considerations.  Joshi emphasises, “The treaty is set to be activated when the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) reconvenes in 2025, marking a crucial milestone in global efforts to tackle plastic pollution”.