Global corporations including Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo have publicly endorsed the development of a robust global treaty to combat plastic pollution. Through an open letter ahead of the upcoming INC-5.2 negotiations in Geneva, these companies—alongside over 290 businesses, financial institutions, and NGOs—have called for harmonized international regulations as the foundation for scalable, circular packaging solutions.

Published under the umbrella of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, the letter emphasizes that a unified legal framework could accelerate innovation in recyclability, facilitate the elimination of problematic plastics, and unlock major environmental and economic value.

A Unified Vision for Global Circularity

The signatories argue that a global treaty is the most cost-effective way to deliver environmental impact and long-term social value. They cite potential outcomes by 2040 such as:

• A 77% increase in recycled content availability globally.
• A 23% reduction in mismanaged plastic waste.
• The elimination of double the current number of problematic plastic products.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and globally harmonized packaging design rules are seen as key tools to operationalize these targets. If implemented effectively, EPR schemes could more than double in financial impact from 2026 to 2040, while reducing net public waste management costs and improving recycling efficiency.

“A treaty must provide a funding mechanism to help global south countries improve waste collection and support refill and reuse systems,” said Dr. Fisk Johnson, CEO of SC Johnson.

Corporate Commitment Across Continents

The call for a treaty is echoed by executives across industries and geographies. TOMRA emphasized that harmonized regulations could generate significant socioeconomic benefits, especially in emerging markets. According to their data, India could see a 73% rise in economic growth and a 57% increase in employment across the plastics value chain, alongside a 29% drop in mismanaged waste.

Kirin Holdings emphasized the burden of fragmented regulations, noting that “without common design rules, recycling quality and supply suffer.” Meanwhile, Unilever Brazil and Amcor Indonesia both urged that scalable EPR systems and harmonized packaging guidelines are critical to circular economy progress in their respective nations.

From Ambition to Action

Set to take place in Geneva from August 5–14, 2025, INC-5.2 is seen as a pivotal moment in shaping the global plastics policy landscape. The business community is urging negotiators to produce at least a strong initial treaty text, which can be refined over time, but must offer immediate regulatory clarity and design consistency.

While the previous INC round in South Korea yielded high ambition, stakeholders like Unilever and WWF have warned of potential stagnation due to indecision and lack of binding measures. “Endless negotiations could undermine the urgency required to address global plastic pollution,” warned Ed Shepherd, Unilever’s senior global sustainability manager.

A Global Framework with Local Impact

Ultimately, the coalition’s message is clear: a robust global treaty is not just a regulatory formality—it is an economic, environmental, and social imperative. It has the power to drive innovation, stabilize markets, and empower nations to develop scalable waste management infrastructure, especially in the global south.

With INC-5.2 on the horizon, the packaging industry and multinational brands are aligning behind a common vision—one in which plastic no longer pollutes but circulates efficiently through a global circular economy.