Steve Toloken

Countries wrapped up the second round of global plastics treaty negotiations on June 2 agreeing to prepare a detailed draft of the treaty for the next negotiating round, with observers saying they saw signs of significant progress as well as major obstacles.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia and Russia put more emphasis on the benefits of plastics while countries in the "High Ambition Coalition" called to reduce plastics production and phase out problematic materials.

Health concerns around additives in plastics are taking an elevated role at the plastics treaty talks.

Negotiations for a plastics treaty got off to a rocky start in Paris, with some sources suggesting that disputes over potential caps on resin production were a significant reason.

The Federal Trade Commission is hearing calls from some state governments and the EPA to limit the chasing arrows on plastic resin ID codes and take a skeptical view on green marketing for chemical recycling.

A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme tries to put numbers behind levers that can reduce plastics in the environment.

Canada's government is out with a proposed new regulatory framework that would mandate recycled content for plastic packaging and toughen rules on green labeling.

Ahead of the next round of plastics treaty talks in Paris in late May, there are signs that more plastics groups will be at the table.

Plastics and chemical recycling issues are prominent in comments to the Federal Trade Commission as it seeks input to revise its Green Guides rules.

Advocates for reusable packaging gathering at a Washington conference pointed to what they see as environmental and economic benefits, even as they discussed challenges like getting favorable policy and building strong systems.

The Plastics Industry Association has released a poll showing public support for chemical recycling ahead of an expected fight at the Federal Trade Commission over recyclability marketing claims.

A nonbinding statement from the bloc's climate ministers said countries should consider phasing out nonrecyclable plastics and harmful additives when possible, and called for internalizing costs of plastic pollution.

After voting in 2020 to create the country's toughest requirements for recycled plastic in beverage bottles, California lawmakers are now debating setting goals for using bioplastics to bottle soft drinks, water and other beverages.

Senate Democrats have launched a renewed push to develop national strategies to address environmental and health concerns over plastics.

So-called secondary sort facilities for handling low-value mixed plastic waste have faced economic challenges but some on a panel at a recent recycling conference see potential for new investment.