(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a coalition of attorneys general, is pushing the U.S. to adopt stronger international policies to combat plastic pollution at a critical United Nations meeting this month.
NEW YORK — Attorney General Letitia James, along with attorneys general from nine other states, has called on the U.S. Department of State to advocate for an ambitious, legally-binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution. In a letter addressed to the department, James praised the U.S. delegation’s recent commitment to supporting plastic production limits and phasing out harmful chemicals, urging further action to confront the escalating plastic crisis.
The coalition’s call comes ahead of the fifth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastics Pollution (INC-5), scheduled for November in Busan, South Korea. At this pivotal conference, countries will continue working toward an international treaty on plastic pollution, a historic process that began in 2022. James and her colleagues have asked the U.S. to take a bold stance by advocating for caps on plastic production, rejecting ineffective solutions, and prioritizing the protection of communities disproportionately affected by plastic waste.
“Climate change poses an existential threat, and it is on all of us to combat it with urgent global action,” said Attorney General James. “I applaud our nation’s delegation to INC-5 for their support of a global plastics treaty that will establish meaningful caps on plastic production. I encourage the delegation to heed our additional recommendations so we can build toward a more sustainable future that protects our environment and the health of our communities.”
The coalition also highlights the public health implications of plastic pollution, which contaminates rivers, oceans, and soil and harms fish, wildlife, and human health. Most single-use plastics are fossil-fuel-based and significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. By 2040, emissions from these plastics could make up nearly 20 percent of all global carbon emissions.
The letter emphasizes the voices of communities bearing the brunt of plastic pollution, notably residents in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” where plastic production has contributed to public health crises. Attorney General James and her colleagues argue that the U.S. delegation must represent these frontline communities at INC-5, amplifying their calls for environmental and health protections.
In addition, the coalition recommends that the U.S. delegation take specific actions to address the plastic crisis, including:
- Ensuring the treaty addresses all stages of plastic production and disposal,
- Recognizing plastic pollution as an environmental justice issue,
- Rejecting chemical recycling as a solution, and
- Promoting reuse systems and funding for scientific oversight to support the treaty’s implementation.
If successful, these measures could mitigate the severe environmental and public health impacts of plastic waste, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Joining Attorney General James are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, working under the guidance of the Environmental Protection Bureau.
