Author: Marissa Heffernan
The first working draft of the United Nations’ global plastics agreement lays out the broad strokes of what is intended to be a legally binding way to manage plastic pollution on land and in the oceans. Although the Sept 4. draft has several blank “placeholder” sections and many sections containing several versions of potential language, the text shows that the agreement may cover microplastics, chemicals, design for recyclability, reuse and refill systems, PCR, extended producer responsibility, labeling, fishing gear, environmental justice and innovation in non-plastic alternatives.