Welcome to Higginson Strategy’s weekly round-up of international news relating to plastic pollution.
This week, at the UN Ocean Conference, nearly 100 countries signed a declaration to create a robust Global Plastics Treaty ahead of the next round of negotiations. The US State of California is battling lobbyists to pass an ambitious Bill that tackles plastic pollution. According to a report by McKinsey,US consumers rank packaging quality, price, and convenience higher than environmental impact. The UAE has agreed to ban on numerous plastic bans including imports of plastic products and production of any single-use plastic products in the UAE. Finally, a survey by Aquapak reveals 70 per cent of UK adults are confused about how to recycle packaging.
Nearly 100 countries call for ambitious global treaty to end plastic pollution
Ministers and representatives from more than 95 countries called for an ambitious agreement from global plastics treaty negotiations at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC). The declaration, dubbed the ‘Nice Wake-Up Call’, identifies five elements that the signatories say are key to achieving a global agreement that is “commensurate with what science tells us and our citizens are calling for”.
They include a full lifecycle approach, including: plastic production, phasing out chemicals of concern and problematic products. The declaration has been backed by a host of major economies, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the UK, EU, Colombia and Mexico, as well as many African and Pacific island nations. No major plastic producers – such as China, the US, Saudi Arabia, India and South Korea – have endorsed the call.
Read more here.
California plastic packaging bill narrowly passes Senate
A controversial bill in one of the world’s largest economies of California, aimed at cutting plastic waste, is encountering significant resistance, even after clearing the state Senate for a second time. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act—seen by advocates as a bold step toward sustainable packaging—passed the Senate last week with a narrow 33–25 vote.
The proposed law would mandate a 30 per cent reduction in plastic packaging over the next 12 years and establish an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, requiring companies to pay for waste collection, recycling infrastructure, and municipal support. While backers argue it could reduce plastic pollution and recycling costs, critics say the plan risks driving up prices and burdening manufacturers.
US consumers prioritise packaging price and convenience over sustainability
US consumers rank packaging quality, price, and convenience higher than environmental impact, according to a new McKinsey survey. The survey also finds that food safety and shelf life are essential to consumers, while packaging appearance fell in importance.
Aside from food safety and cost concerns, 77 per cent of respondents believe recyclability is the most important characteristic when considering the sustainability of packaging. In addition, a “significant portion” of respondents were concerned with the level of recycled content and reusability of packaging.
Read more here.
UAE to ban single-use plastics by 2026
The plastic ban applies to importing single-use plastic products from abroad, production of any single-use plastic products in the UAE and the sale of any single-use plastic product in Dubai and the other emirates.
This ban is in addition to the existing plan to ban plastic plates, plastic food containers, plastic tableware and drinks cups with plastic lids in Dubai on the first day of 2026. Previously, Dubai banned single-use plastic bags in 2024 and plastic stirrers, tablecloths, cups and food containers made of Styrofoam earlier in 2025.
Read more here.
70 per cent of UK adults are confused about how to recycle packaging
Research by AquaPak revealed only 21 per cent of UK adults said they always read the recycling instructions on product packaging, which increases to 31 per cent for respondents between 25 and 34 years old but drops to 17 per cent for those aged 65 and over.
When asked which everyday packaging is the easiest to dispose of and recycle, 53 per cent said paper, which was followed by glass (18 per cent), plastic (13 per cent) and metal, such as aluminium (seven per cent).
Read more here.