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Global plastic crisis deepens as nations struggle to respond

Tim Schauenberg

Every minute, the equivalent of a truckload of plastic ends up in the ocean, and less than 10% gets recycled. Now, over 170 nations are in Geneva, trying to agree on a global treaty to tackle the crisis.

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Scientists at UNSW Sydney are pioneering microfactories — compact, modular units that recycle complex plastic waste from electronics into valuable materials like 3D printing filaments. While global plastic production reached 413.8 million metric tons in 2023, less than 10% is recycled. Plastic pollution harms ecosystems and human health, with studies showing accumulation in organs. Over 100 nations support a UN treaty to curb plastic production, seen as vital to addressing the crisis.