Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] Global plastic consumption could nearly triple by 2060. Deutsche Welle
• [New] Plastic pollution could double its harm to human health in the coming decades if current production trends continue. Deutsche Welle
• [New] Under a business-as-usual scenario, the number of DALYs caused by plastic was projected to more than double from 2.1 million in 2016 to 4.5 million in 2040. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
• [New] The EU now has a ban on exports to non-OECD countries, and the French government plans to introduce a system that will reward producers that use domestically recycled post-consumer plastic in their packaging. Chemistry World
• [New] Less than 9% of 9 billion MT ever produced are recycled, and if plastic consumption and waste management remain as it is currently, 12 billion MT of plastics will be released in the environment by the year 2050, most of which will come from plastic packaging. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Plastic production and waste could nearly triple by 2060, yet hopes are weak for a global plastics treaty after the last attempt flamed out in August. Trellis
• [New] Without intervention, annual plastic production could triple by 2060. ScienceDaily
• [New] Globally, negotiations toward a UN Global Plastics Treaty will continue in 2026, advancing efforts toward achieving a legally binding international agreement to address plastic pollution. Recycling Product News
• [New] The 66m tonnes of pollution from plastic packaging that enters the global environment each year could be almost eliminated by 2040 primarily by reuse and return schemes, significant new research reveals. The Guardian
• [New] As Georgia's 2026 plastic ban comes into effect, sustainable packaging will play a critical role in ensuring businesses remain compliant and continue to thrive. Bioleader
• At Suntory Beverage & Food Europe we are working toward 100% sustainable plastic packaging by 2030. WhatTheyThink
• Suppliers are struggling to meet demand for recycled plastic, with a potential 30% to 40% gap in supply and demand for certain resins by 2030. Food Dive
• There would be a dramatic increase in plastic waste, with the cumulative cost to the environment projected to exceed $32 billion by 2050, while imported virgin plastics continue to increase. ProPack
• Without regulatory reform, the analysis forecast that utilization of existing Australian plastic recycling facilities could fall to just 32% within the next five years, resulting in facility closures, job losses and a stalling of investment in the circular economy. ProPack
• Malaysia's Mandatory EPR Implementation (2026): Building on its Plastic Sustainability Roadmap, Malaysia plans to transition its currently voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility scheme to a mandatory requirement for all producers by 2026. Yahoo Finance
• By 2032, all regulated packaging must be recyclable or compostable, plastic use must decline by 25%, and recycling rates must reach 65%. National Law Review
• In line with its environmental commitments, Dubai will implement a complete ban on single-use plastic food containers. Gulf Good News
• Ending exports of unprocessed plastic packaging waste by 2030 would allow the UK to take control of its environmental responsibilities and seize a clear economic opportunity. Impakter

Last updated: 02 February 2026