As the global meeting in Busan, South Korea, approaches its conclusion, environmental organizations are intensifying their efforts to secure a treaty that addresses the massive production and harmful chemicals used in plastics. Greenpeace escalated its campaign on Saturday by sending four international activists to Daesan, South Korea, where they boarded a tanker carrying chemicals used in plastic production. Graham Forbes, who leads the Greenpeace delegation in Busan, emphasized that world leaders face a clear choice: implement a treaty to protect both people and the planet or continue prioritizing industry interests at the cost of public health.

The need for action is urgent, with global plastic production exceeding 400 million tons annually. The use of plastic has quadrupled in the past 30 years, and every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans, rivers, and lakes. The UN and most nations have committed to establishing the first global, legally binding plastic pollution treaty by the end of 2024. However, without addressing the exponential growth in plastic production, the treaty risks becoming ineffective, with experts warning that it may merely become a "greenwashing recycling treaty."

Plastic pollution is a growing global crisis, with countries like China, the United States, and Germany leading the way in plastic production. However, despite global efforts, less than 10% of plastic is recycled, with most either ending up in landfills, polluting the environment, or being burned. In addition to this, plastics, especially those used for packaging, contribute significantly to pollution. The UN is calling for a treaty that not only addresses the vast amounts of plastic but also looks at reducing specific harmful plastic items, such as single-use packaging, and finding viable alternatives.

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