People vs Plastic

Global Support for a Strong Plastics Treaty

The results of this survey demonstrate that there is overwhelming public support for the Global Plastics Treaty to cut plastic production, end single-use plastics and advance reuse-based solutions. Conducted in 19 countries with over 19,000 respondents, the survey shows strong support for cutting the production of plastic, at over 8 in 10 people (82%¹), and for protecting biodiversity and the climate by cutting plastics production (at 80%¹). As many as 9 out of 10 people (90%²) support a transition away from single-use plastic packaging to reusable and refillable packaging, while 75%¹ support a ban on single-use plastic. Likewise, 80% of people are concerned³ about the impacts of plastic on the health of their loved ones and 84% of parents are concerned about these impacts on the health of their children.

The high level of support for ambitious action on plastics is similar across all the countries surveyed, but particularly strong in most of the Global South countries where plastic pollution levels are higher. Support for all the statements was well above 50%, with the lowest percentage still at 60%¹, in support of a statement that lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry and chemical industries should not be allowed to take part in negotiations, for the Global Plastics Treaty to be successful.

The overwhelming show of public support sends a strong message to the Governments negotiating the Global Plastics Treaty – the public expects political leaders to address pollution from the full life cycle of plastics, by cutting plastic production and banning single-use plastics. A failure to do so will carry political consequences.

Download the report:

People vs Plastic – Global Support for a Strong Plastics Treaty

People vs Plastic – Executive Summary

1. ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Somewhat agree’ responses combined
2. ‘Essential’, ‘Very important’, and ‘Fairly important’ responses combined
3. ‘Very concerned’ and ‘Somewhat concerned’ responses combined