ICLEI Member cities across Europe are delivering measurable cuts in plastic pollution through innovative reuse systems, as UN treaty negotiations to combat the plastic pollution crisis remain deadlocked after collapsing in Geneva last month.

The negotiations collapsed following fundamental disagreements between countries. The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution wants production controls, while like-minded countries including China, Saudi Arabia and Russia prefer waste management approaches. Key contested issues include producer responsibility, production cuts, and financing mechanisms.

ICLEI Member cities lead on curbing plastic pollution

The stalling of UN negotiations leaves local and subnational governments as default lead partners on the plastic pollution frontline. ICLEI Europe provides cities with tested approaches for shifting from single-use to reuse systems and helps to develop procurement specifications that favour circular alternatives.

Amsterdam (Netherlands), Copenhagen (Denmark), and other ICLEI Member cities are supporting the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group policy recommendations published in June 2025. They call for stronger procurement rules and scaled funding for circular programmes. These cities govern over 50 million residents.

ICLEI Member Tirana (Albania) is collaborating with local businesses in the reuse sphere and is implementing packaging reuse systems at city events through the Circular City Labs programme, whilst promoting female entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Zaragoza (Spain) is actively involved in the REDOL project, which focuses on industrial-urban symbiosis to redesign entire local value chains including plastics and packaging. It aims to divert 80 percent of waste streams from disposal and process 12,000 tonnes of materials annually.

The way forward for cities

With or without a global plastics treaty, plastic pollution will persist and action to eliminate it must accelerate. ICLEI Member cities are already showing that local action delivers immediate results while building the foundations for future global frameworks.

ICLEI will continue to host the Local and Subnational Governments (LSNG) Coalition and work with partners on advocacy. ICLEI invites all nations and partners to work with ICLEI and the Coalition. Sign up here to support the Local and Subnational Governments Coalition to end plastic pollution.

Discover how your city can implement circular solutions through ICLEI Europe's city programmes and resources.