Swisscontact was actively involved in the negotiations, supporting the delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic through our experts from our Waste to Value project. Laos advocated for a treaty that prioritizes equity, justice, and sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable communities.
The proposed treaty aimed to tackle plastic pollution across its entire life cycle – from production and design to disposal – by setting global standards, phasing out harmful plastics, and promoting circular economy solutions. However, the latest draft presented was rejected by numerous states, including Switzerland, which criticized the text for lacking ambition and enforceable limits.
The collapse of negotiations was marked by deep divisions over the scope, definitions, and production limits. “We are leaving frustrated,” said Edwin Josué Castellanos López, chief negotiator for Guatemala. “We have not come up with a treaty that the planet so urgently needs.”
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, expressed being “extremely concerned” by the low level of ambition, while Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, reminded delegates that the fight against plastic pollution must continue:
The failure to reach an agreement delays global action and leaves vulnerable communities exposed to the health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution. For Swisscontact, this outcome reinforces the urgency of continuing our work independently of global frameworks, while advocating for inclusive and locally driven solutions.
Swisscontact has a long-standing commitment to integrated solid waste management. Since 1994, we have implemented over 22 waste management projects in 11 countries, addressing waste challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions. Our approach prioritizes circular economy principles such as source separation including the just participation of waste pickers, reuse, recycling, and composting—strategies that not only protect the environment but also build resilient, community-driven waste systems.
Our Focus Areas
Swisscontact’s Waste to Value (W2V) project demonstrates how inclusive, circular economy models can transform plastic waste into opportunity. By strengthening local waste systems in Southeast Asia, W2V promotes source separation, recycling, and composting while empowering informal waste workers and entrepreneurs. The project directly supports the principles of just transitions, public health integration, and inclusive governance—key priorities voiced by countries like Laos during the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
Swisscontact’s work in Bolivia through the Markets for Recycling (M4R) project exemplifies how locally adapted solutions can address plastic pollution even in complex environments. By improving waste management in transportation hubs, M4R strengthens recycling markets, promotes behavioral change, and supports inclusive entrepreneurship—core elements of Swisscontact’s global approach to plastics management. These efforts align with the principles of equity, public health, and just transitions advocated by countries like Laos during the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
The Swisscontact initiatives and projects demonstrate how locally adapted solutions can drive meaningful change, even in the absence of global consensus.
While the failure of the Global Plastics Treaty is a setback, it is not the end of the road. The urgency of the plastic crisis demands continued action, innovation, and collaboration. Swisscontact remains committed to advancing sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions that empower communities and protect our planet.