Shaping the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: SPE's Role in INC-5

SPE has been granted accreditation with the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) as part of its “scientific and technological community,” a designation held by only 87 organizations worldwide and 25 in the U.S. This status grants SPE observer rights, enabling participation in UNEA and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiatives.

As global leaders have gathered for the INC-5.1 (November 25-December 1, 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea) and INC-5.2 (August 5-14, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland) treaty talks on plastic pollution, SPE underscores the need for collaboration among governments, industry, and civil society. SPE’s members address the full plastics lifecycle—design, production, waste reduction, and recycling—and stand ready to contribute expertise, resources, and solutions in support of UNEP’s Global Treaty on Plastic Waste.

The following reports provide in-depth analysis of these important INC-5 sessions.

Shaping the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: SPE's Role in INC-5
November 2024—1,000 days after the UN Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 5/14 to create a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution—SPE joined delegates, NGOs, businesses, and scientists at INC-5.1 in Busan, South Korea, for what was intended to be the final treaty negotiations. While consensus proved elusive, progress was made on refining draft provisions and building recognition of the need for lifecycle approaches, bans on certain single-use plastics, recycling targets, and harmful additive reductions. SPE’s participation highlighted its unique value in providing technical expertise, advancing global education, and fostering collaborative networks, and the organization launched a Global Cohort Initiative to mobilize subject matter experts for future rounds of negotiations, expected to continue in 2025. Conor Carlin, SPE's past president, was at INC-5.1 and provides an overview. Read more. 

SPE at INC-5.2: A Technical Voice in Policy
Plastics Engineering
August 2025—SPE reinforces its role as a technical voice at INC‑5.2, promoting science-based solutions for a practical, global plastics treaty. SPE reaffirmed its role as a leading technical voice during the second part of the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee session (INC‑5.2), held August 5–14, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. As delegates worked to finalize a global treaty to end plastic pollution, SPE contributed insights grounded in science, engineering, and practical industry knowledge. Read more.

Plastics Industry Association Sustainability Newsletter Overview of INC-5.2 - Part 1
Written by Patrick Krieger, SVP Sustainability and Policy
Plastics Industry Association
August 2025—Midweek negotiations at INC-5.2 remain strained as contentious issues—particularly treaty scope, production caps (Article 6), and financing—threaten to derail progress. While informal meetings have helped bridge some differences, the EU and other parties have voiced strong frustrations, and a newly released chairman’s compromise text risks stalling momentum by excluding key country edits. Side meetings with U.S. Senate staff explored legislative opportunities and reinforced industry’s desire for a deal the U.S. can ratify. With only two days left, entrenched positions and procedural delays raise the likelihood that talks may run out of time without consensus. Read more.

Plastics Industry Association Sustainability Newsletter Overview of INC-5.2 - Part 2
Written by Patrick Krieger, SVP Sustainability and Policy
Plastics Industry Association
August 2025—Summary: INC 5.2 concluded without an international legally binding instrument. Efforts on Wednesday and Thursday to resolve the significant gulf between perspectives on what the scope of the agreement should contain were unsuccessful. Read more.