In February 2026, the UN plastics treaty process held the third part of its fifth session (INC-5.3). The UNEP session documentation notes that the resumed session focused on organizational matters, including leadership, rather than substantive negotiations. Even so, the treaty’s direction and the policy debate around production caps, product design, and waste responsibilities remain highly relevant for cities—where packaging rules, procurement, and collection systems translate global goals into daily reality.
This proposal is for an international city/community coalition that wants to make 2026 commitments aligned with the emerging treaty direction: reduce single-use plastics in public procurement, accelerate reuse/refill, and publish measurable leakage metrics. The decision includes a real timeline and a choice of in-person workshop hubs.
Options include attachments to primary sources, date ranges, and locations because those elements are genuinely being decided.
Phase out single-use plastics in city-controlled procurement (offices, schools, facilities) and require plastic-minimisation plans for city-permitted events. Add vendor checklists and a public compliance report.
Designed for a fast start with measurable outputs.
Launch reuse/refill pilots (returnable cups/containers, refill stations, deposit partnerships) in selected districts and city venues. Set a reuse target and publish quarterly adoption metrics.
Longer runway, bigger system change potential.
Identify plastic leakage hotspots (riverbanks, transit hubs, illegal dumping areas), upgrade collection/sorting performance, and publish a monthly “leakage dashboard” with clear indicators and interventions.
Data-heavy, enforcement-capable, and comparable across cities.
Official updates and documentation links for INC-5.3.
Explains that INC-5.3 was convened for organizational/administrative purposes.
Analysis of the post-INC-5.3 landscape and treaty design questions.
