Global talks held in Geneva on plastic pollution collapsed earlier this month as countries remain divided on the best course of action. The
BBC reported this to be the sixth round of talks in under three years with over 100 nations calling for the reduced production of plastics while oil states push for a stronger focus on recycling efforts. Although plastics benefit almost every industry, scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the toxic chemicals they contain which are being found in the soil, rivers and even trace amounts in the human body.
The UK Government announced new restrictions on single-use plastics in October 2023 that prohibited retailers, takeaway stores, and hospitality from selling single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups, and food containers. The legislation aimed to curb the use of items that contribute significantly to plastic pollution, with research showing that only 10% of the 2.7 billion single-use cutlery items used annually are recycled.
A global leader in motion plastics,
igus welcomed the move as a positive step toward reducing environmental harm and accelerating the transition to a circular economy, as well as continuing to support the fight against single-use plastics as UN negotiations continue.
igus, which has a UK subsidiary in Northampton, believes that long-term change requires more than a simple outright ban. Through its ‘chainge recycling programme’, igus enables customers to return used plastic energy chains for responsible recycling and re-use, actively promoting a circular economy that keeps materials in use and out of the waste stream.
Self-lubricating high-performance polymersBeyond simply banning harmful plastics, igus also continues to develop self-lubricating high-performance polymers that are designed for extended service life, reducing the frequency of replacements, maintenance, and the volume of waste. These materials eliminate the need for external lubricants, which can contaminate ecosystems, designed to perform reliably in demanding industrial environments.
Recognising the growing concern around chemical safety, igus has also introduced PFAS-tested and PTFE-free options, offering customers safer alternatives without compromising performance. Matthew Aldridge, managing director at igus in Northampton, said: “This situation highlights how important it is to re-think how we use and dispose of plastics. At igus, we believe sustainability must be built into the design of materials and systems. Our goal is to help industries move beyond single-use thinking and toward long-lasting, recyclable solutions.”