WTO Plastics Talks to Include 3 Workstreams to Further Waste Reduction

Countries participating in the World Trade Organization's Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade launched three "workstreams" March 18 to discuss measures on reducing plastics waste, the WTO said. The workstreams focus on crosscutting issues, including capacity building and technical assistance; promoting trade to deal with plastic pollution; and circularity and reduction to reduce plastic pollution, including how trade-related cooperation can bolster efforts to reduce plastic products and reduce unnecessary or harmful plastics and plastic products, including single-use plastics and plastic packaging associated with international trade. The IDP said in a work plan that the workstreams are a meaningful step toward implementing the IDP Ministerial Statement, which sets goals for reducing plastics pollution and fostering environmentally sustainable plastics trade.