Integrating a Chemicals Perspective into the Global Plastic Treaty

Abstract

Driven by the growing concern about plastic pollution, countries have agreed to establish a global plastic treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics. However, while plastics are complex materials consisting of mixtures of chemicals such as additives, processing aids, and nonintentionally added substances, it is at risk that the chemical aspects of plastics may be overlooked in the forthcoming treaty. This is highly concerning because a large variety of over 10,000 chemical substances may have been used in plastic production, and many of them are known to be hazardous to human health and the environment. In this Global Perspective, we further highlight an additional, generally overlooked, but critical aspect that many chemicals in plastics hamper the technological solutions envisioned to solve some of the major plastic issues: mechanical recycling, waste-to-energy, chemical recycling, biobased plastics, biodegradable plastics, and durable plastics. Building on existing success stories, we outline three concrete recommendations on how the chemical aspects can be integrated into the global plastic treaty to ensure its effectiveness: (1) reducing the complexity of chemicals in plastics, (2) ensuring the transparency of chemicals in plastics, and (3) aligning the right incentives for a systematic transition.

Legacy and Emerging Plasticizers and Stabilizers in PVC Floorings and Implications for Recycling

“…Sustainable circular economy practices should take the chemical level into account. , About 16% of the samples measured in this study contain legacy, regulated hazardous substances, such as DEHP and lead, at significant levels (Figure ). Interestingly, these substances are mostly present at levels lower than typically necessary for fulfilling their functions (DEHP for plasticization: 5–65 wt %, lead for heat-stabilization: 0.05–5 wt %), suggesting their origins being ongoing uncontrolled recycling (i.e., recycling of contaminated waste materials containing these substances into new products) rather than intentional use. ,, While DEHP had been explicitly authorized in recycled PVC materials, this practice was controversial. , Recycling contaminated materials into long-lived products, such as floorings, prolongs exposure to and hampers an effective phase-out of hazardous chemicals.…”

“…Industry action has in some cases preceded regulation of hazardous chemicals, including the early phase-out of lead and cadmium stabilizers by the EU PVC industry. , Learning from these examples and utilizing existing industry-wide organizations (e.g., Vinyl Plus), manufacturers may pioneer and push for a swift phase-out of other hazardous substances and transition to safer and more sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, learning from the PET water bottles, manufacturers could come together, along with other actors throughout the value chains, and establish positive lists that greatly simplify and harmonize material options and chemical composition . The recycling industry may enhance sorting by employing available fast screening techniques for hazardous substances at scale (e.g., using XRF for toxic metals and bromine, ATR-FTIR for ortho -phthalates) and thereby avoiding at least some contamination of recycled materials.…”

Policy options to account for multiple chemical pollutants threatening biodiversity

“…98 In addition, intermediate evaluation strategies that attempt at "chemical simplications" and grouping of chemicals within classes have been described, which may assist in the risk assessment and management of chemicals. 92,99 The grouping strategy aims to establish identication and regulation of hazardous chemical groups, which makes regulation faster and avoids regrettable substitutions of hazardous chemicals by equally problematic substitutes. Grouping is typically conducted based on the structural similarity of chemicals.…”

Conflicts of Interest in the Assessment of Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution

“…82 The lack of transparency around chemicals in plastics hinders work toward achieving a circular economy as producers do not reveal the chemical composition of their products. 83 Flame Retardants. For decades, some chemical manufacturers 84 and contract laboratories 85 have been involved in deceptive and fear mongering campaigns in support of voluntary industry and regulatory flammability standards that require certain products to meet flammability tests (e.g., upholstered furniture, building insulation, electronic enclosures, and vehicle interiors).…”

“…This was done via lobbying and campaigning efforts directed toward blocking legislation and focusing blame for plastic pollution on individual consumers and plastics mismanagement . The lack of transparency around chemicals in plastics hinders work toward achieving a circular economy as producers do not reveal the chemical composition of their products …”