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Global Plastics Treaty 2025-07-17
17 July 2025
Lead MP
Alistair Carmichael
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 30
At a Glance
Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about global plastics treaty 2025-07-17 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The debate discusses the upcoming UN global plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva, emphasising the importance of reducing plastic production, improving design for minimum environmental impact, providing finance for developing countries, and establishing a circular economy. The speaker highlights the severe pollution problem on beaches and coastlines, advocating for strong reduction targets to address exponential growth in plastic production.
Deirdre Costigan
Lab
Ealing Southall
Costigan supports the call for a properly constructed deposit return scheme to help recycle plastics and reduce pollution. She agrees with Carmichael’s emphasis on the need for strong reduction targets in the treaty, criticising the idea that recycling alone can solve the problem.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Supports the debate on microplastics and suggests adopting French legislation to require companies to disclose when their products contain microfibres. This would help address the fast fashion crisis by making consumers aware of the environmental impact of clothing.
Leigh Ingham
Con
Stafford
Reiterates the urgency of addressing microplastics and endorses similar French legislation to improve transparency about material composition. Emphasises the local relevance of the issue with examples from Stafford's natural areas.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Highlights the global scale of plastic production and pollution, citing data on single-use plastics in Devon beaches. Urges for improved recycling standards and international cooperation to address offshoring of waste problems.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Questions the adequacy of current standards for plastic waste export and handling, suggesting need for stricter regulations on packaging recovery notes. Supports efforts to improve recycling practices but highlights concerns about different international standards.
Supports the ban on disposable plastic vapes as a step towards reducing plastic waste. Noted by Richard Foord for acknowledging this initiative.
Leigh Ingham
Con
Stafford
She spoke about microplastics, acknowledging the impact of plastic waste in her constituency. She supported banning disposable vapes and disposable fans, noting one is dumped every 90 seconds.
Opher
Lab
Stroud
He mentioned debates on microplastics held previously, emphasising the need to address plastic production rather than just recycling.
Deirdre Costigan
Lab
Ealing Southall
She highlighted single-use items such as disposable vapes and fans, noting that most end up in landfills in developing countries.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
He spoke about the need for bolder action to tackle plastic pollution at home and abroad. He supported chemical recycling as an innovative solution but emphasised that plastics producers must be taxed based on the 'polluter pays' principle.
Samantha Niblett
Lab
South Derbyshire
She discussed the impact of plastic pollution in South Derbyshire’s waterways, including the River Trent and reservoirs. She urged the Government to introduce a UK-wide moratorium on new incineration capacity and to cut plastic production at the UN plastics treaty negotiations.
Bobby Dean
LD
Carshalton and Wallington
He highlighted the connection between global issues of plastic pollution and local communities, emphasising the need for regulation and incentives for a circular economy. He noted people’s concern about plastic damage in their local environments.
Carmichael
LD
Orkney and Shetland
The hon. Member highlights the importance of engaging with local communities, particularly young people, on plastic pollution issues. He cites passionate letters from a primary school class emphasising the urgency of action. The member also discusses the need to reverse pressure on consumers and place it on producers through enforceable agreements.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Agrees with the hon. Member about the importance of public and business support in implementing a deposit return scheme, citing challenges faced by Scotland during its implementation due to opposition from businesses.
Bobby Dean
Lab
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Supports the hon. Member's view on listening to public concerns to address problems with plastic pollution schemes, highlighting the importance of fixing issues and maintaining public support for initiatives.
Claire Hughes
Lab
Bangor Aberconwy
Acknowledges the UK Government’s plans to end a throwaway society and mentions Wales' ban on single-use plastics. She also highlights community groups and universities in her constituency contributing to awareness and research on plastic pollution.
Irene Campbell
Lab
North Ayrshire and Arran
Agrees that community groups are crucial in fighting plastic pollution, citing examples of local initiatives in her constituency.
Newton Abbot
Acknowledges the work going on in communities but highlights the need to address plastic pollution not only locally but also internationally, noting an increase in plastic pollution on UK beaches.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Discusses the presence of microplastics in various industries and the human intake from mussel ingestion. He mentions a visual fibre fragmentation scale developed by Heriot-Watt University to help fashion designers select fabrics less likely to release small fibres.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Supports the hon. Member's call for a global plastics treaty, citing concerns about plastic cotton buds and poor waste management in Scotland leading to increased exports of waste.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Sobel supported the need for an inclusive two-tier model in international negotiations. He stressed the importance of tackling plastic production at a global level, advocating for binding targets to reduce plastic production.
Bath
Hobhouse emphasised the consensus across political parties on addressing plastic pollution. She highlighted the need for international action through a UN-led treaty and supported the Liberal Democrats' campaign for such a treaty, aiming to set high common standards.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Moore acknowledges his family's involvement in the plastics recycling industry but emphasises he has no direct financial interest. He thanks Mr Carmichael for securing the debate, highlights various contributions from other Members, including concerns about microplastics, plastic litter, youth concern over plastic usage, and bans on single-use items. Moore supports previous Conservative Government efforts to ban plastic straws, drink stirrers, and single-use bags, noting a 98% reduction in plastic bag use due to the plastic bag charge.
Bobby Dean
Lab
Carshalton and Wallington
Dean asks Robbie Moore whether his party supports the UK being a signatory to the global plastics treaty. He emphasises the need for verifiable targets in the treaty and realistic measures to manage plastic waste without compromising competitiveness.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
The Minister emphasised the urgent need to address plastic pollution through a global treaty. He highlighted the UK's efforts, including working on criteria for problematic plastic products, co-leading discussions on product design and leakages with Chile and Panama respectively, hosting ministerial events at UN conferences, and pushing for sustainable production and consumption in plastics. The Minister also discussed the importance of mobilising support for countries needing agreement implementation, the role of waste pickers, and the need for effective decision-making processes within the treaty.
Bobby Dean
LD
Nottingham North
The Liberal Democrat MP raised concerns about unintended effects of the extended producer responsibility scheme on small businesses, particularly in hospitality. He asked if the Minister would continue to listen to these businesses and adjust the scheme accordingly.
John Lamont
Con
Aberdeen South
The Conservative MP questioned the Minister about discussions with countries like Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia to ensure they do not stall an agreement on a plastic pollution treaty. The Minister assured him that ongoing negotiations are focused on reaching a good outcome.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
The Conservative MP inquired about the UK's collaboration with Ecuador’s Ambassador to the UN intergovernmental negotiating committee and his efforts toward trans-Pacific partnership. The Minister confirmed that they are working with all interested parties.
The Minister
Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Any treaty must be informed by science. The Government remain committed to the multilateral system and an open process. There are many challenges but progress is being made towards a robust and effective treaty. Thanks to Members like Member for South Derbyshire and Member for Leeds Central for their contributions.
Thanked all contributors for their valuable input, noting consensus on the topic despite some challenges in gathering corporate evidence. Emphasised the importance of addressing corporate influence hindering progress on the Global Plastics Treaty and warned that there will be commercial consequences for those who obstruct progress.
Government Response
Government Response
The Minister acknowledges the seriousness of the issue and the urgent need for action, but does not provide specific details or commitments regarding the treaty. The Government are determined to secure an ambitious global plastics pollution treaty, focusing on sustainable production and consumption of plastics, product design, releases and leakages. The UK has been a key advocate for this treaty and is working with various countries to mobilise support and resources needed at scale. Any treaty must be informed by science. We remain committed to an open process and a robust treaty in Geneva despite challenges.
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