Products:

Product 01

0 Pairs

8 Earplugs

24 Earplugs

60 Earplugs

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Subtotal:

Checkout

Your bag is empty... 😭

Products:

Product 01

0 Pairs

8 Earplugs

24 Earplugs

60 Earplugs

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Subtotal:

Checkout

Your bag is empty... 😭

100% mycelium earplugs

Starter Pack

Core Pack

Sustain pack

Shop Now

Plastic Pollution Treaty Stalled: More Finger-Pointing, Less Action

[ Volumes ] info on all things gob

Man walking on large mound of plastic trash in landfill.

by:

read time:

Published:

Naman Bajaj

4 Minutes

3.20.25

Diplomats from around the globe gathered in Busan, South Korea in the last week of November 2024 to tackle the ever-worsening problem of plastic pollution. The ambitious goal? To hammer out the world’s first treaty to fight plastic pollution. The result? A lot of finger-pointing and a promise to “try again later.” At the heart of the disagreement were some big-ticket issues:

Should we cap plastic production altogether?
Or should we just focus on better recycling?

The world’s largest petroleum producers (read: Saudi Arabia, Russia, and their buddies) clung tightly to the idea that plastic production isn’t the problem — it’s how we handle the trash.

“Pollution is the issue, not plastics,” argued Abdulrahman Al Gwaiz, a Saudi delegate. It’s like saying, “Cars aren’t the problem; it’s just all this pesky traffic!”

A “Toothless” Treaty is No Good

Countries like Rwanda, leading the charge for bold action, were vocal about their frustration. “Rwanda cannot accept a toothless treaty,” declared Juliet Kabera, their delegate. Meanwhile, environmental activists took to the streets of Busan, waving banners and rallying around a giant model of a whale stuffed with — you guessed it — plastic waste. Their message? “Courage, not compromise.”

But compromise is exactly what some nations seem to want. Instead of cutting back on plastic production, oil-rich countries are pushing for “better recycling” as the magic bullet. Never mind that only about 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled.

No items found.

The Plastic Problem is Bigger Than Ever

Let’s talk numbers. The world churns out nearly 500 million tons of plastic every year — that’s more than double what we produced 20 years ago. And where does it go? Beaches, rivers, oceans, and from there to the stomachs of some poor sea creatures and eventually back to us.

It's not just plastic bottles and bags causing the problem. Everyday items like microwave popcorn bags, toothbrushes, chewing gum, tea bags, earplugs, and more all contribute to the plastic pollution crisis. Most of these items contain plastic that eventually ends up in landfills.

What’s Next?

As of now, no one knows when or where the next round of talks will happen. But one thing’s for sure: the plastic problem isn’t going away. Whether it’s earplugs, soda bottles, or takeout containers, we’re drowning in the stuff.

So, while the diplomats debate and the planet waits, maybe it’s time to rethink our relationship with plastic — starting with everyday items. Sustainable alternatives are out there, and every small step helps. After all, the world doesn’t need more excuses. It needs action.

explore all volumes