What Trump 2.0 Means for Global Plastics Policy

As we stepped into 2024, the plastic manufacturing sector found itself at a crossroads, shaped by political upheavals and a growing push towards sustainability.
The year kick-started with a significant event: the breakdown of negotiations at the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5) summit in Busan, South Korea. Stakeholders failed to secure a global plastics treaty, highlighting the complexities of reaching a consensus in global environmental policies.
Despite these challenges at a global level, numerous manufacturers from across industry sectors, such as BASF and Mondelez, have continued to innovate by developing sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.
This movement towards sustainability has been championed by Unilever and its CEO Hein Schumacher, who comments: "OECD data shows that the amount of plastic waste produced is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth recycled.
"Greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic system could further increase by 63% by 2040, a trajectory that is incompatible with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Packaging represents around one-third of global plastics use.
"Unilever recognises that it is part of the problem. Too much of our plastic packaging ends up in the environment."
Trump's influence on plastics
Donald Trump's return to office as US President is poised to influence numerous policy areas, including manufacturing and environmental regulations. Under the previous administration, the US lagged behind its European counterparts in enforcing stricter environmental reports and regulations concerning plastics.
The gap is expected to widen with President Trump's policies, which focus largely on promoting domestic oil and gas production – key raw materials for plastic manufacturing.
Trump’s administration is likely to roll back several environmental protections, which would reduce operational costs for plastic manufacturers by minimising the constraints related to pollution, recycling and waste management. Additionally, Trump's 'America First' economic strategy, characterised by tariffs and renegotiated trade agreements, could reshape the global plastics market further.
Significant tariffs on imported goods, set to be introduced from 1 February, are set to dramatically modify industry dynamics.
Sustainable production amid policy shifts
Facing these regulatory changes, US plastic manufacturers might wonder how best to respond without forsaking environmentally friendly practices.
Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony Environmental, a leader in environmental technology, advises against abandoning sustainable methods. He argues that the demand for plastic, often more environmentally favourable than alternatives like paper or biodegradable biomaterials, will continue, and that innovations such as Symphony's d2w masterbatch and NbR resin are key to future sustainability.
The d2w technology, which enables plastics to biodegrade naturally, and the NbR resin, which reduces the fossil content in plastic products, represent cutting-edge solutions that help mitigate environmental impacts without compromising on recycling capabilities.
"This removes waste naturally from the ecosystem without toxic residues or microplastics and without needing collection and transfer to a composting facility," says Michael. "If it does get collected it can still be recycled.”
He adds: "Manufacturers are not the polluters, but they are responsible for doing what they can to reduce the environmental pollution caused by their products. Waste-management and recycling are important but will not solve the problem for the foreseeable future."
Furthermore, Michael predicts that the US could soon lead in the production of sustainable plastics, spurred by technological innovations and possibly more favourable policies under Trump's presidency. He hints at a potential misunderstanding of these technologies in the EU, which might position the US as a frontrunner in sustainable plastic manufacturing.
The continuous evolution of the plastics industry, driven by both political influences and technological advancements, underscores the complex relationship between manufacturing practices and environmental stewardship. As stakeholders navigate these dynamics, the focus remains on aligning economic strategies with sustainable outcomes to reshape the industry for a greener future.
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