Insight: UN negotiations on solutions for plastic pollution collapse

As global talks to end plastic pollution collapse, and countries remain deeply divided on the best course of action, motion plastics leader igus believes that long-term change requires more than a simple outright ban.

The BBC reported this to be the sixth round of negotiations in under three years, with over 100 nations calling for the reduced production of harmful plastics, while oil states push for a stronger focus on recycling efforts.

Although plastics benefit almost every industry, scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the toxic chemicals they contain, which are being found in the soil, rivers and even trace amounts in the human body.

The UK government announced new restrictions on single-use plastics in October 2023, which prohibited retailers, takeaway stores, and hospitality from selling single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups, and food containers. The legislation aimed to curb the use of items that contribute significantly to plastic pollution, with research showing that only 10% of the 2.7 billion single-use cutlery items used annually are recycled.

igus welcomed this move as a positive step toward reducing environmental harm and accelerating the transition to a circular economy, continuing to support the fight against single-use plastics as UN negotiations continue.

As a global leader in motion plastics, igus believes that long-term change requires more than a simple outright ban. Through its chainge® recycling programme, igus enables customers to return used plastic energy chains for responsible recycling and reuse, actively promoting a circular economy that keeps materials in use and out of the waste stream.

Beyond simply banning harmful plastics, igus also continues to develop self-lubricating high-performance polymers that are designed for extended service life, reducing the frequency of replacements, maintenance, and the volume of waste. These materials eliminate the need for external lubricants, which can contaminate ecosystems, and are designed to perform reliably in demanding industrial environments.

Recognising the growing concern around chemical safety, igus has also introduced PFAS-tested and PTFE-free options, offering customers safer alternatives without compromising performance.

Matthew Aldridge, managing director at igus in Northampton, commented: “This situation highlights how important it is to rethink how we use and dispose of plastics. At igus, we believe sustainability must be built into the design of materials and systems. Our goal is to help industries move beyond single-use thinking and toward long-lasting, recyclable solutions.”

igus continues to drive innovation in sustainable engineering and invites others to join in building a future where plastics are part of the solution.

The full BBC article on global plastic talks can be read here.