Talks in Geneva in mid-August 2025 to make a world treaty on plastic pollution ended without success. Almost 100 countries wanted to limit plastic production, but major oil-producing nations, like Saudi Arabia and the United States, disagreed. They said production limits could hurt the economy and industries. Instead, they supported recycling, reuse, and better product design. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said that more than 400 million tons of plastic are made each year. Without big changes, this number could grow by 70 percent by 2040. The United Nations said plastics made about 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases in 2019, or 3.4 percent of world emissions.

Experts explained that recycling plastic is very difficult. Only 6 percent is recycled, while paper, cardboard, and steel have higher rates. Different types of plastic make recycling slow and costly. Environmental groups said plastic recycling can also cause pollution in local communities. Industry leaders suggested an “all-of-the-above approach,” with better recycling systems and new materials. However, critics said recycling often still uses new plastic and spreads microplastics. Specialists believe the best solutions are reducing plastic production, using reusable products, and designing simpler packaging. New materials, such as those made from seaweed, are being tested but are not common yet.