Plastic Pollution Negotiations Stall: What It Could Mean for Franchises

Talks regarding plastics pollution regulations have again ended with no resolution. According to the Associated Press, “This was supposed to be the fifth and final round to produce the first legally binding treaty on plastics pollution,” but negotiators have agreed to reconvene in 2025.

While some representatives are disappointed in the outcome, there is growing support for increased regulations surrounding harmful chemicals associated with plastics and single-use plastic items.

“We didn’t achieve what we came for — a binding treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics,” Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Panama’s special representative for climate change, said during the talks. “Yet, amidst disappointment, there are small glimmers of progress.”

Some argue that recycling plastics should be at the forefront of the conversations, and others believe that sheer production is the issue.

According to Bloomberg, China has the capacity to produce over 220,000 kilotons, and the U.S. follows with the capacity to produce over 92,000 kilotons. One kiloton is over 2 million pounds.

“About 275 businesses that use plastics, including L’Oreal SA, Starbucks Corp. and 3M Co., offered support for efforts to ultimately end the use of some products and chemicals,” Aaron Clark wrote for Bloomberg. “Communities directly impacted by plastic pollution also called for urgent action to mitigate impacts on public health. Microplastics have been found in human placentas, breast milk, brain tissue and blood.”

Single-use plastic items, like cutlery, water bottles, to-go straws and cups, bags and wrappers are all major contributors to the pollution issue. The thousands of fast-food and fast-casual restaurant franchises across the U.S. very well could be forced to adapt should a deal be reached.

As the push for “urgent action” in response to plastic pollution grows, businesses would be smart to begin considering potential steps forward — even if they aren’t yet being required to.