Global 'Plastic Restriction' is Coming! Key Figures to Understand What it is

At the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 2, delegates from 175 countries approved a historic resolution aimed at ending plastic pollution by 2024 and reaching a legally binding international agreement.

The resolution, entitled "Ending Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument," was adopted by the conference.

The resolution establishes an intergovernmental negotiating committee that will begin work in 2022 with the goal of completing a draft global legally binding agreement by the end of 2024.

The instrument will reflect the full life cycle of dealing with plastics, addressing the design of reusable and recyclable products and materials, and the need for enhanced international cooperation to promote access to technology, capacity building and scientific and technical cooperation.

UN Environment Executive Director Inger Andersen said: "Today marks a victory for the planet over single-use plastics. This is the most important multilateral agreement on the environment since the Paris Agreement. It is insurance for this generation and future generations that they may have plastic in their lives, but they will not be destroyed by it."

Key figures on the economic and environmental impact of plastics.

348 million: plastics production soared from 2 million tons per year in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017, making it a $522.6 billion global industry, with capacity expected to double by 2040.

15%: Greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastics production, use and disposal will account for 15% of allowable emissions by 2050, in line with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

800: More than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion, entanglement and other hazards.

11 million: About 11 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean each year. By 2040, this number could triple.

55%: A shift to a circular economy could reduce the amount of plastic discharged into the ocean by more than 80% by 2040; reducing primary plastic production by 55%.

70 billion: A shift to a circular economy could save governments $70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent; and create 700,000 additional jobs.