Kenyans and businesses could face new rules on the production, use and disposal of plastics if countries reach an agreement on a proposed global plastic pollution treaty.The agreement is being negotiated under a United Nations-led process seeking to establish a legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution, including pollution in the marine environment.The latest discussions are taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, where heads of delegation from participating countries are meeting from September 27 to 30, 2026, to work towards resolving outstanding issues ahead of the next stage of negotiations.Kenya has used the talks to push for an agreement that addresses plastics across their full life cycle, from production and use to waste management and disposal. Speaking during the discussions, Kenya called on countries to bridge their differences and work towards a legally binding agreement based on science and supported by adequate financing and technical assistance.Kenya's position could have implications for businesses involved in the production, importation, sale and disposal of plastic products if the final agreement results in new obligations being adopted nationally.However, the proposed agreement is still under negotiation, meaning the specific rules that could eventually apply to businesses and consumers have not been finalised.Kenya has argued that the global agreement should cover the full life cycle of plastics rather than focusing only on plastic waste after products have been used.This approach could see greater attention placed on how plastic products are designed and produced, the materials used to make them, their use by consumers and how they are collected, recycled or disposed of.Kenya has also called for new, accessible, adequate, predictable and sustainable financing to help countries implement the eventual agreement.The government argues that developing countries will require financial and technical support to put new measures into practice, including strengthening systems for managing plastic waste and reducing pollution.Kenya is also pushing for the secretariat of the proposed agreement to be hosted at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, seeking to build on the city's role in global environmental governance.The Bangkok meeting follows earlier informal discussions held in Nairobi from June 30 to July 3, 2026, as countries continue working towards an international agreement to end plastic pollution.While the final obligations remain subject to negotiations, any global agreement adopted by countries could eventually lead to changes in how governments, manufacturers, retailers and consumers produce, use and manage plastic products.
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