Insights

"Plastic Pollution Must Now Be Stopped by an International Treaty"

— Urging a Proactive Stance from the South Korean Government Ahead of the Geneva Negotiations

ㅣ Karl Yang, Founder & Executive Director of KoSIF ㅣ

Plastic pollution has evolved beyond a simple environmental issue into a structural crisis that threatens human survival. As nations gather in Geneva to deliberate on the historic, first-ever global plastics treaty, calls are mounting for South Korea—a major consumer of plastics—to abandon its passive stance.

To combat this plastic catastrophe, which simultaneously jeopardizes the climate, ecosystems, and public health, it is time for South Korea to make a decisive commitment. We must stand in solidarity with the international community and support a legally binding treaty that includes mandatory production cuts.

      The Miracle Material Reverted into a Catastrophe

For the past 70 years, plastic has been an innovative material that transformed human civilization and industry. However, this once-great invention is now returning as a disaster that threatens human health and global ecosystems.

The world produces approximately 430 million metric tons of plastic annually, and nearly two-thirds of it is discarded after a single use. According to the OECD, a mere 9% of all plastic waste is recycled, while over 110,000 metric tons leak into the oceans every year. It is estimated that up to 199 million metric tons of plastic waste have already accumulated in our oceans, and the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" has expanded to more than three times the total surface area of France.

This problem is no longer limited to the suffering of marine life or the spoiling of tourist destinations. Plastic does not decompose for centuries. Instead, it breaks down into invisible, toxic particles known as microplastics and nano plastics, which permeate our air, soil, water, food supplies, and ultimately, our bodies.

Recent studies have detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, breast milk, placentas, and even brain tissue. These particles can cross cell membranes, disrupting genetic material and intracellular structures. Consequently, researchers are raising alarm over links to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, infertility, neurological disorders, and metabolic imbalances. The plastic we enjoy using is ultimately holding our own survival hostage.

Furthermore, plastic emits carbon throughout its entire lifecycle. It currently generates 1.7 gigatons of carbon emissions annually, matching the footprint of the global aviation industry. No matter how many nations declare carbon neutrality, if plastic production and consumption continue unabated, climate crisis mitigation will remain an empty promise.

      The Battle Lines in Geneva

Against this backdrop, delegates from 175 countries have been convening in Geneva, Switzerland, to hash out final negotiations for mankind’s first legally binding international instrument: the Global Plastics Treaty. Following the 2022 UN resolution to develop this treaty, these recent rounds of sessions serve as the definitive arena for an agreement.

 -  The primary battlegrounds in these negotiations center around:

•  -  The legal enforceability of mandatory plastic production cuts
•  -  Stringent regulations on hazardous chemical additives
•  -  National differentiation in implementing timelines
•  -  Harmonization with existing international agreements (such as the Basel Convention)
•  -  The mobilization of financial resources and equitable funding mechanisms
•  -  Explicit language addressing the impacts on human health and ecosystems

One encouraging development is the ambitious push by the "High Ambition Coalition"—jointly led by the European Union, Norway, and Rwanda—which aims to completely end plastic pollution by 2040. Conversely, major oil-producing and plastic-exporting nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, stubbornly restrict their focus to recycling and waste management rather than accepting production cuts. Concurrently, intense lobbying from international industrial sectors continues behind the scenes.

      Where Does South Korea Stand?

South Korea’s per capita annual plastic waste generation stands at a staggering 208 kilograms, which is four times the OECD average. Furthermore, its overall consumption surged by 31% between 2019 and 2022. While the Ministry of Environment reports a recycling rate of 40% to 57%, independent analyses indicate that the actual percentage of final recycled material hangs at a meager 16%. This discrepancy stems from measuring collected waste volume versus actual processed recycling output, prompting heavy criticism regarding "exaggerated recycling statistics."

There are also deep concerns surrounding the government's negotiation track record. Although South Korea joined the High Ambition Coalition, it faced backlash during the early stages of the INC-5 conference held in Busan for delaying its endorsement of the "Bridge to Busan" declaration, revealing a hesitant stance toward production cuts and legal enforcement.

However, a shift in alignment is being felt following the inauguration of the new administration. The newly appointed Minister of Environment, Kim Sung-whan, explicitly categorized the climate crisis as a "matter of national survival" in his inauguration speech, pledging to transform the Ministry of Environment into a vanguard institution for a decarbonized, green civilization. This rhetoric signals a potential policy pivot regarding the plastic crisis.

      Engineering a Sovereign Policy Pivot

South Korea already possesses robust institutional frameworks and technological capabilities, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and advanced recycling technologies. Yet, a sustainable transition cannot be achieved through technology alone; it hinges on political resolve, social consensus, and international solidarity.

South Korea must now implement a comprehensive policy overhaul that includes:

1. 
   
2. 1. Establishing a hard ceiling on plastic production
3. 2. Codifying explicit reduction targets for single-use items
4. 3. Designing a circular economy roadmap tailored for absolute plastic reduction
5. 4. Enhancing the practical efficacy of the EPR system
6. 5. Investing heavily in high-quality recycling infrastructure
7. 6. Expanding regulations on hazardous chemical components

Corporations must also fulfill their responsibilities by engineering sustainable packaging materials, expanding the use of recycled raw resources, and instituting strict management systems for hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, South Korea should propose an equitable cooperation framework with developing nations, providing financial and technical assistance to support treaty compliance.

Ultimately, plastic pollution is not a simple environmental issue. It is a structural crisis threatening the very prerequisites of human survival, and the ongoing negotiations in Geneva represent humanity's ultimate stand against it. South Korea can no longer afford to evade this issue or hide behind neutrality. Embracing our calling as a "global leader in ending plastic pollution," we must make a decisive commitment. That is the historical responsibility we must shoulder today.