July 31, 2025|
AI
|4 months agoUN Geneva Calls for Global Reform of Plastic Trade Tariffs
UNCTAD report reveals discriminatory tariff system favoring plastics over eco-friendly alternatives, with Swiss-based organization pushing for international reform.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- UNCTAD is calling for reform of customs tariffs on plastics which are currently lower than alternatives
- Plastic tariffs have fallen from 34% to 7% over 30 years
- Tariffs on sustainable alternatives like natural fibres have risen to 15%
- Three-quarters of plastic ends up in oceans or ecosystems
By The Numbers
$1.1 trillion
Global plastics trade value in 2023
$485 billion
Trade in plastic substitutes in 2023
5%
Share of plastics in global goods trade
5.6%
Increase in developing countries' plastic substitute trade
They Said
"Market access is limited by tariff barriers, and regulatory incentives are inadequate"
1
Global Tariff Disparity Revealed
2
Market Impact and Trade Volumes
3
Environmental Consequences
4
Geneva's Role in Reform
5