IPEN: toxics-free

This infographic titled “Chemical Recycling: Waste In, Waste Out” visually critiques the inefficiency and toxicity of chemical recycling processes. On the left, it shows 1,000 pounds of plastic waste being fed into a recycling facility. On the right, the outputs include large piles of hazardous waste, oil barrels, and a label that reads “Up to 800 pounds of hazardous waste OUT.” The graphic uses arrows, danger symbols, and dark smoke to emphasize the environmental risks and minimal benefits of chemical recycling.

Industry says recycling can solve the plastic crisis, but their numbers are based on false assumptions and misleading statistics. IPEN’s briefing on industry’s muddled math summarizes the science on plastic recycling and exposes industry’s skewed statistics. stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...

Here’s what to watch for at this month’s global plastics treaty talks Delegates are meeting in Geneva for a sixth — and potentially final — round of negotiations.

In @grist.org, Joseph Winters covers what to watch for at the Plastics Treaty negotiations:
grist.org/internationa...
“It doesn’t matter if we’ve got 11 days or 11,000 days,” Beeler said. Without the possibility of a vote hanging over delegates, “it’s just going to be a perpetual discussion.”

A graphic from IPEN shows a group of people seated in a modern glass atrium, engaged in discussion with laptops and documents in front of them. A prominent blue banner at the top reads, “Download ‘Global Health At Risk: A Plastics Treaty Scorecard.’” The image highlights collaborative advocacy around the health impacts of plastic pollution, with the IPEN logo in the top right corner.

With the Plastics Treaty negotiations starting, now is the time to demand a treaty that protects our health, not just corporate profits.

IPEN’s new scorecard breaks down what’s missing from the current draft and what needs to change to end toxic plastic pollution. Download: ipen.org/news/ipen-pl...

“Negotiators are discussing making some provisions opt-in or opt-out to avoid a stalemate. Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, said that would mean a treaty without teeth or obligations, with little value.”

Nations gather in Geneva to again confront the world's spiraling plastic pollution crisis Nations have started a crucial meeting to finalize a treaty to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis.

As the Plastics Treaty INC-5.2 begins in Geneva, negotiators face a choice: stand up to petrochemical industry pressure, or let plastics spiral further out of control.

Jennifer McDermott writes in AP: apnews.com/article/plas...

A graphic from IPEN features the headline “Frequently Asked Questions on Plastics and Chemicals” in bold white text over a dark blue banner. The background image shows a large industrial facility with smokestacks emitting heavy plumes of pollution. The IPEN logo in the top right corner reinforces the organization's mission for a toxics-free future.

Check out our FAQs covering common questions about the science and lifecycle of plastics, chemicals of concern, and common arguments, terms, and myths about the Plastics Treaty.

It is available to download in 7 languages: stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...

YouTube video by Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs Announcing The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics

We need a Plastics Treaty that limits plastic production and controls toxic chemicals - now!

Video of The Lancet press briefing:
youtu.be/XDUiyMzuMPs?...

The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics Plastics are a grave, growing, and under-recognised danger to human and planetary health. Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losse...

A major new study in the leading medical journal The Lancet finds that plastic chemicals lead to $1.5 trillion a year in health, environmental and other costs. "The principal driver of this crisis is accelerating growth in plastic production."
See the study:
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

A graphic from IPEN features a large group of advocates, with one woman speaking into a microphone at a table covered in laptops, documents, and stickers promoting chemical safety and plastics accountability. The banner at the top reads, “Download ‘The Plastics Treaty in 2025: IPEN Views on the Chair’s Text.’” The scene conveys organized advocacy during international treaty negotiations, emphasizing collective engagement in shaping a stronger plastics treaty.

We encourage delegates to stand for a meaningful agreement with controls on toxic chemicals and plastic production. A deal focused only on recycling and waste won’t stop the plastic crisis, or protect our health.
Read more: stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...

Toxic plastic pollution is a global problem, impacting local communities every day. Yet industry plans to increase plastic production, despite the ongoing risks to women’s health from toxic plastic chemicals. Learn more: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

A graphic shows the United Nations building framed by two rows of international flags, with a prominent blue banner overlay that reads: “Download ‘IPEN Co-Chair’s Letter to Delegates Attending the Heads of Delegations Meeting of the Plastics Treaty INC.’” The IPEN logo appears in the upper right corner.

In this letter, IPEN raises the top issues necessary to create a meaningful agreement that protects human health and the environment and moves toward resolving the plastics crisis: stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...

It is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

A graphic from IPEN features a smiling woman in a hijab embracing a joyful young girl, alongside a message calling for stronger chemical safety to promote women’s equality. The text explains that chemical health threats are barriers to equality and urges stronger regulations to protect women's health. The IPEN logo appears in the top left with the tagline “for a toxics-free future.”

Chemical health threats to women are barriers to women’s equality. Stronger chemical safety regulations are needed to safeguard women’s health and promote women’s equality. Learn more: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

A graphic from IPEN features a smiling woman in a hijab embracing a joyful young girl, alongside a message calling for stronger chemical safety to promote women’s equality. The text explains that chemical health threats are barriers to equality and urges stronger regulations to protect women's health. The IPEN logo appears in the top left with the tagline “for a toxics-free future.”

Chemical health threats to women are barriers to women’s equality. Stronger chemical safety regulations are needed to safeguard women’s health and promote women’s equality. Learn more: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

A graphic titled “Quick Views: Plastics Treaty INC-5.2” shows a landscape of Arctic waters with floating icebergs in the background and a massive pile of plastic and other debris in the foreground. The image underscores the environmental urgency tied to global plastics negotiations. The IPEN logo appears in the top right corner.

🌍 The Plastics Treaty must do more than manage waste — it must protect people. IPEN urges delegates to fix the broken process and include strong, legally binding controls across the plastics life cycle. Voluntary measures aren’t enough.
Read our Quick Views: stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...

Women are exposed to common plastic chemicals like BPA that can disrupt their bodies’ natural hormones. It is linked to breast cancer, infertility, and metabolic disorders.
Learn more about BPA and women’s health: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet

The Guardian’s latest investigation confirms what many have witnessed firsthand: industry lobbyists are swamping the plastics treaty negotiations, harassing scientists, and distorting the process.

Read here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Phthalates and bisphenols are linked to serious health concerns for women, such as cancer and infertility. Learn more about these plastic chemicals and women’s health. Please visit: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

A global treaty to limit plastic pollution is within reach – will countries seize the moment? The talks in Geneva may be the world’s last chance to agree a strong treaty to tackle plastic pollution, scientists warn.

The final round of plastics treaty talks begins in August.
Winnie Courtene-Jones notes in The Conversation that “there’s a real risk the treaty will end up being too watered down to make a difference." theconversation.com/a-global-tre...

We have a right to know about harmful chemicals in products our families use. You can take action to protect women’s health, please visit: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

An informational graphic titled "Global Health at Risk: A Plastics Treaty Scorecard" from IPEN outlines why the current draft of the global plastics treaty does not go far enough to protect human health. It highlights the toxic impacts of plastics and associated chemicals, and urges governments to strengthen the treaty by focusing on detoxification, eliminating hazardous substances, and ensuring accountability. A scorecard legend explains the color-coded ratings used to assess how well the draft text aligns with IPEN’s health-protective criteria.

The Plastics Treaty Scorecard evaluates the current draft treaty text against IPEN’s 17 key criteria for protecting human health from plastics and plastic-related chemicals stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/portfol...
The findings are clear: the draft treaty text does not go far enough to safeguard health.

A graphic from IPEN features the headline “Everyday Chemical Exposures Pose Significant Health Risks to Women” alongside an image of a hand spraying cleaner on a mirror. The text explains that many everyday chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pose serious risks such as reproductive issues, developmental disorders, and increased cancer risk. The IPEN logo appears in the top left corner, emphasizing its mission for a toxics-free future.

Women are exposed to common plastic chemicals like phthalates (“the everywhere and everyone” chemicals) and bisphenols (like BPA) that can disrupt their bodies’ natural hormones.

Learn more about endocrine disrupting chemicals and women’s health here: ipen.org/toxic-priori...

Article 3 on plastic products & chemicals, Pamela Miller of @toxicsfree.bsky.social highlights, is crucial for protecting health and preventing further violations of #humanrights.

She urges the INC to guarantee that these provisions successfully safeguard both human health & human rights.

Live now!

▶️ tiny.cc/GEN29Jul25
📺 youtu.be/pNr-XEv4gEs

With #PlasticsTreaty INC-5.2 just a few days away, join this #GENeva #BeatPlasticPollution dialogue stressing the need to align the Plastics Treaty with existing #HumanRights frameworks.

Two large ships are shown at sea, one spraying water onto the other, which is engulfed in smoke and stacked with colorful shipping containers. A headline overlay announces a "$1 Billion Judgment Ordered Following Container Ship Spill of Plastic Pellets and Chemicals." The IPEN logo appears in the top right corner with the tagline “for a toxics-free future.”

A win for environmental justice! A Sri Lankan court ordered $1B in damages from the X-Press Pearl ship owners after a 2021 spill of plastic pellets and toxic chemicals. The case was initiated by IPEN member, Centre for Environmental Justice. ipen.org/news/1-billi...
📷: Nilantha Ilangumuawa, Unsplash

PFAS exposure linked to an increased risk of repeated miscarriage In a new study published by Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, researchers found that exposure to some PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were linked to an increased risk of unexplained r...

In a new study published by Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, researchers found that exposure to some PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were linked to an increased risk of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

EHN explains the study and impact: www.ehn.org/pfas-recurre...

A large group of IPEN members stands behind a banner reading “Our Health is in Your Hands: Ban Toxic Chemicals in Plastics” at a UN plastics treaty negotiation. To the left, a quote highlights that the current treaty text fails to adequately address health risks from hazardous chemicals in plastics, stressing the need for stronger health protections. The image includes the IPEN logo and urges viewers to read Negotiating the plastics treaty to protect health and the environment.

Despite widespread agreement on the need to end plastic pollution, the current draft of the global plastics treaty fails to adequately address serious health risks from hazardous chemicals found throughout the plastics lifecycle.
Read the WHO editorial: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Environmentalists urge policy reform as toxic waste rises in Philippines MANILA: Philippine environmental groups are calling for immediate policy reform after official data showed that the country’s annual hazardous waste levels increased to more than 269,000 metric tonnes...

The Philippines saw a sharp rise in hazardous waste in 2024—over 269,000 metric tonnes—while illegal dump sites surged 84%. With oil waste and toxic chemicals accumulating faster than infrastructure can manage, communities face growing health threats: www.arabnews.com/node/2608424...

A close-up image shows water flowing over a gold panning surface with a metal bowl containing mercury-gold amalgam, a pair of bare feet, and a plastic bottle nearby. The text overlay warns that massive amounts of mercury are being smuggled from Mexico for gold mining, polluting the Amazon and endangering Indigenous communities. The IPEN logo appears in the lower right corner with the tagline “for a toxics-free future.”

A new report reveals that over 200 tons of mercury have been smuggled from Mexico into the Amazon over the past four years, fueling illegal gold mining and exposing Indigenous communities to severe health risks.

Read here: ipen.org/news/massive...

The impacts of unsustainable, unprincipled plastic production threaten our future.

Leading up to #INC5.2, this #GENeva #BeatPlasticPollution Dialogue will present the need to align #PlasticsTreaty with human rights framework.

📆 29 July, 14:00 CEST
▶️ tiny.cc/GEN29Jul25

Plastic recycling problem @toxicsfree.bsky.social @mikeschade.bsky.social "..the DNA-reactive contaminants are not randomly introduced through the misuse of recycled packaging by consumers, but are systematically formed during the recycling process from precursors in the input." www.mdpi.com/2548452