APR Represents Recyclers at the UN Environment Program

APR is pleased to be participating in the Second Session of the UN Environment Programme Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) on May 29 - June 2, 2023 in Paris, France as an accredited organization.

INC-2 is intended to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. A UN draft report, issued last month, details some actions that may be considered under treaty, including some options specific to expanding and improving plastics recycling and design for recyclability.

As part of INC-2, APR Chief Policy Officer Kate Bailey will serve on panels at several events including:

• Friday, May 26: Galvanizing Global Action on Plastic Pollution
  Hosted by the United States Embassy Paris, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the support of the Farm Foundation and the Recycling Partnership.

• Thursday, June 1: Promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste, including collection, sorting and recycling, and consideration of investments
  Official INC-2 side event. 

Several APR members are also attending the event and are engaged in numerous dialogues to drive change and advance recycling as a critical and accessible strategy to reduce plastic waste.

APR sees these treaty negotiations as a watershed moment - plastic waste has risen to the level of a global priority and these negotiations could advance policies and unlock investments to further increase the circularity of plastic.

During her sessions, Kate plans to explain that we are successfully recycling plastic in the US with more than 5 billion pounds recovered for recycling in 2021, and we know what it is needed to increase and improve plastic recycling.

APR looks forward to participating in INC-2 and to the potential of strengthening all sides of recycling – improving design, enhancing infrastructure, and growing demand. Establishing global targets could drive investment and policies for US recycling and create harmonization with other regions.

Watch this space for future blog posts from Kate about her experience representing APR at INC-2.