Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] Plastic production could account for around 13% of the total global carbon budget by 2050, a figure on par with operating hundreds of coal-fired power plants worldwide. EurekAlert!
• [New] By 2050, the total weight of plastic in the ocean will exceed the weight of fish. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The global plastics treaty, a United Nations initiative aiming to reduce plastic pollution worldwide, could commit countries to legally binding limits on virgin plastic production and enforce stronger requirements for reuse and refill systems. The Conversation
• [New] 225 million tonnes of plastic waste will be generated worldwide in 2025 - but only 68% can currently be managed responsibly. ESG Post
• [New] At the current rate, global plastic pollution is estimated to triple by 2040. Phenomenal World
• [New] One plant will make casings for EV batteries, the second plant is a joint venture with Aisin of Japan which will take a range of aluminium, steel and plastic components, also for EVs. Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
• [New] The Commission would propose a set of short-term initiatives to support plastic recyclers before the end of the year, without waiting for the adoption of the Circular Economy Act scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. Landbell Group
• [New] Following Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd's move earlier this year to switch from paper straws to plant-based bioplastic ones, the fast-food chain will change the plastic bags used for takeout orders. Japan Today
• [New] LEGO (Denmark) took a long-term bet on sustainability, committing to replace all plastic bricks with sustainable materials by 2030. Family Business
• [New] Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have shown that it could take more than 100 years for floating plastic to disappear from the ocean's surface. earth.com
• [New] Plastic threat Ambitious scenarios can significantly reduce consumption by 2050 but require policies, investments, and design change. Polyestertime
• [New] The Chinese government's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and enforcing plastic reduction policies is accelerating the use of AI in material optimization and sustainable packaging design. / China Precedence Research
• [New] Walmart expects to miss its 2025 plastic and emissions goals, citing infrastructure gaps, supply shortages, and rising consumer demand. 3D Natives
• [New] Unilever concedes it will miss several 2025 packaging goals despite progress in reducing virgin plastic and improving recyclability. 3D Natives
• [New] Without action the annual flow of plastic into the ocean will triple by 2040 to 29 million metric tonnes per year. Dictionary.com
• [New] Plastic production has increased more than 200-fold since 1950 and is expected to almost triple again to more than a billion tonnes a year by 2060, driven largely by single-use plastics used for packaging and drink and food containers. The Guardian
• [New] The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introduced quotas for 2030 of recycled post-consumer plastic ranging from 10% to 35% for different packaging plastics which should be increased by 2040. TexData International - all significant news along the
• [New] By 2030, the annual global input of MPs and NPs into freshwater systems is expected to rise significantly, fueled by increasing plastic usage and insufficient waste management, potentially reaching over 8 million metric tons (Koelmans et al. 2019). SpringerLink
• [New] Producers must ensure their plastic packaging meets increasing recycling rates: 30% by 2028, 40% by 2030 and 65% by 2032. Proskauer Rose
• [New] Around 225 million tonnes of plastic waste will be produced in 2025. Edie
• [New] If authorised, the new soft plastics recycling scheme could revive soft plastic collection infrastructure in Australia and divert waste away from landfill - but success depends on broad participation, expanded processing capacity and strong demand for recycled materials. Packaging Gateway
• Pascual raised the cost of plastic pollution for society, namely that global management of plastic waste costs $32 billion each year, and that the societal lifetime cost of the plastic projected to be produced in 2040 could reach $7.1 billion. The National Academies Press

Last updated: 17 November 2025