Representatives from 193 nations met in Nairobi during the last week of February to negotiate a new global treaty to address plastic waste. It is estimated that over 11 million tons of plastic material enters oceans annually reflecting inadequate collection and recycling, use of inappropriate materials and destructive patterns of consumption.

It is intended to produce a framework for controlling waste based on the model used for United Nations climate treaties. The discussions will hopefully establish a global scientific advisory body, determine methods of monitoring and establish targets based on life-cycle studies of plastic packaging.

An emerging consideration is the deleterious effect of microplastic particles in air and water with potential impacts on health and longevity.

It is hoped that the Conference will result in a treaty within two years, given the magnitude of the growing problem involving a wide range of contributing streams of plastic waste including food packaging.