Global Scans · Plastics · Weekly Summary

• [New] The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for the elimination of plastic pollution by 2030. SciTechDaily
• [New] Without coordinated international action, plastic production could increase by 70% between 2020 and 2040, surpassing 700 million tonnes annually. ScienceDaily
• [New] The sustainable plastic segment is likely to experience the fastest CAGR of 11.4% from 2026 to 2034 due to advancements in material science that reconcile performance with environmental responsibility. Market Data Forecast
• [New] The health damage caused by emissions from the global plastic cycle could double by 2040. medscape
• [New] The European Union has set a goal to achieve a minimum recycling rate of 55% for plastic packaging waste by 2030. Towards Packaging
• [New] Without intervention, that number is expected to rise to 29 million metric tons annually by 2040-equivalent to roughly 50 kilograms of plastic per meter of coastline worldwide. Resonance
• [New] Without intervention, taxpayers could face $37 billion annually in plastic MSW management costs by 2040. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• [New] By 2040, the U.S. will generate an additional 1 billion tons of plastic MSW, leading to over 30 million tons of pollution in waterways and landscapes. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• [New] The United States is one of the leading generators of plastic waste in the world, and, by 2060, plastic use in the U.S. is projected to be more than double that of 2019, pushing waste generation to ever higher levels unless action is taken. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• [New] Global health burdens associated with plastic systems could double by 2040 without immediate and coordinated action. News-Medical
• [New] An end to plastic pollution is in reach, but a comprehensive global agreement which includes measures across the full lifecycle of plastic will be crucial. The Diplomat

Last updated: 02 March 2026