The US Senate has formally presented a resolution in support of a new international agreement to address the global plastic pollution crisis, expected to be finalised in Busan, South Korea, by the end of the month.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, underscores the urgent need to combat the environmental and health threats posed by plastic waste.

The fifth session of the UN International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) is currently convening in Busan to finalise the agreement.

Cardin said: “The damage from plastic pollution and degrading microplastics can linger for centuries, impacting entire generations and causing lasting harm to communities and livelihoods, including Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay."

Annually, approximately 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, with two-thirds of this figure used for single-use products such as packaging and utensils.

This consumption pattern results in millions of tonnes of plastic waste, with an estimated 19 to 23 million tonnes entering aquatic ecosystems annually.

The resolution emphasises the importance of global cooperation to mitigate the detrimental effects of plastic production and waste.

Cardin's resolution calls for the US to lead in forming a transparent, accountable coalition of international partners. The focus is on enhancing waste management capacity, preserving ecosystems, and safeguarding public health.

In December 2020, Cardin introduced the Climate Change Diplomacy and Development Act to create a joint strategy with the US Agency for International Development.