UN treaty 'must tackle production of problematic plastics'

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STORY: Studies have shown that plastics output must be curbed to rein in skyrocketing plastic pollution, which is clogging waterways, despoiling oceans and killing wildlife. But such measures had been expected to face resistance from countries like Japan that are major producers of the petrochemicals in plastic.

The first round of treaty negotiations is taking place this week in Uruguay, with the agreement - described by the U.N. as the most significant green deal since the Paris climate accord - expected to be finalised by 2024.

"We need to look at the production side of plastics if those (plastics) are unnecessary or there are environmentally friendly alternatives," Hiroshi Ono said, speaking during a panel discussion for the Reuters NEXT conference.