At the start of 2026, following the COP-30 conference in Belém, Brazil, there is a new global momentum. The ambitious and legally binding ‘Global Plastics Treaty,’ known as the ‘Belém Declaration,’ is now moving towards full implementation.
This agreement is being seen as the biggest milestone in the history of environmental protection after the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement aims to cut global plastic production by 75% by 2040 and ban single-use plastics by 2026.
The biggest challenge of this historic agreement was to maintain a balance between developed countries and plastic-producing countries. The new 2026 policy identifies plastic not just as waste, but as a ‘chemical threat’.
From now on, companies that produce plastic products must oversee the entire life cycle of their products. This is called ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR).
Companies will be required to collect and recycle the plastic they produce or find eco-friendly alternatives.
A groundbreaking component of the Belém Declaration is the introduction of the ‘Global Plastic Tax’. From March 2026, additional duties will be imposed on products that use virgin plastic (new plastic) in international trade. The money from this tax will be spent on waste management and ocean cleanup campaigns in developing countries.
An international task force is set to tackle the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ in the Pacific Ocean, starting its main campaign in June 2026.
However, the deal has triggered a major transformation in the packaging industry worldwide. Demand for alternatives to plastic is rising, including mushroom packaging, seaweed-based bioplastics, and reusable glass bottles.
Tech companies are now developing AI-powered robots that can automatically sort plastic from landfills.
Environmentalists have welcomed the deal but warned that it will take time without proper monitoring and political will.
