Nations finalize treaty negotiations in South Korea to combat plastic pollution crisis

Nations are concluding treaty negotiations this weekend in Busan, South Korea, to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis. Environmental groups are advocating for strong measures to reduce plastic production and harmful chemicals in plastic products. The world produces over 400 million tons of plastic annually, with usage quadrupling in the last 30 years. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills or pollutes the environment, with less than 10% being recycled. Panama is leading efforts to include production limits in the treaty, supported by over 100 countries. The U.S. also backs addressing plastic supply in the agreement, as major producers like China, the U.S., and Germany account for a third of global plastic trade.