Plastic Polymers under the Full Life Cycle Approach: Key Considerations on the Scope of the Future Plastics Treaty demonstrates the central role of plastic polymers in the full life cycle of plastics from supply chain and pollution perspectives. It looks at precedents to establish that the full life cycle approach mandated in UNEA Resolution 5/14 encompasses the production of plastics, understood as transforming raw materials into a specific substance — in this case, plastic polymers.
The brief covers:
- an overview of the plastics lifecycle, beginning with extraction and refining raw materials;
- difference between plastic polymers, primary plastics, and secondary plastics;
- an overview of how plastic polymer production is a significant source of pollution;
- legal precedents for a full life cycle approach that includes plastic polymers;
- legal, technical, and scientific definitions for the full life cycle approach; and
- key recommendations for the plastics treaty negotiations.