A circular plastic economy should account for all societal costs

One of the fundamental challenges for the UN plastics treaty is to shift the current linear plasticeconomy into a more circular plastic economy. Transitioning to a circular plastic economyrequires a profound transformation of socio-technical systems, and research suggests thatdisruptive policies must simultaneously destabilize the entrenched linear system and cultivatea new regime that supports circular business models. A major barrier to this transformation liesin the artificially low cost of primary plastics, maintained by substantial subsidies for fossil fuelsand plastic production. These subsidies, alongside the failure to internalize negative externalities– such as extensive health impacts and environmental damage – mask the true cost of plastic use,thereby undermining the economic case for innovation in sustainable alternatives. The upcom-ing UN plastics treaty presents a unique opportunity to realign market incentives and drive thenecessary transition toward a circular, regenerative plastic economy.