Negotiations for a major treaty to curb global plastic pollution collapsed on Aug. 15 in Geneva, Switzerland. Leaving no immediate plan for nations to collectively address the plastic waste polluting oceans, filling landfills and littering coastlines. Delegates from 184 countries spent 11 days at the United Nations (U.N.) office in Geneva debating two drafts and trying to decide whether the treaty should limit plastic production, regulate toxic chemicals, or focus on recycling, but concluded without agreement. 

“Consensus is dead,” said Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, as talks ceased. Referring to the requirement that all 184 nations must agree before any proposal can advance. 

This setback is significant—Acording to AP news the world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic annually, and production is projected to increase by 70% by 2040 without any policy changes. About 100 countries previously attempted to limit production and regulate toxic chemicals used in plastics; however, opposition from oil-producing nations, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, hindered progress.

The collapse was a repeat of last year’s failure in South Korea, which was also tasked with delivering the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. Environmental groups and civil society representatives expressed frustration, while some delegates tried to stress progress.

European and Pacific nations voiced frustration, saying expectations for the meeting were much higher. Tuvalu and Madagascar called the outcome “deeply disappointing,” noting that after nearly two weeks of debate, delegates left Geneva without any commitments.

At the center of the dispute was whether to include binding caps on plastic production, a move strongly opposed by the United States (U.S.), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The U.S. favored improving recycling, product design and waste management, but not production cuts. A new draft circulated Friday recognized plastic production labels as “unsustainable” but stopped short of mandating reduction. 

Civil society organizations, including indigenous leaders and youth activists, entered the discussion for strong measures. Greenpeace’s Graham Forbes urged delegates to move away from consensus-only rules. 

Delegates resolved that they would meet again at a later date, although none was set. In the meantime, plastic production and plastic pollution globally continue to rise, harming oceans, communities and future generations that will pay the cost.