How the Global Plastics Treaty Reflects RHINOSHIELD’s Sustainability Commitment

Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste silently infiltrate our ecosystems and threaten human health. As the world seeks solutions to this growing crisis, the Global Plastics Treaty has emerged as a landmark agreement to combat plastic pollution.
For RHINOSHIELD—a brand rooted in innovation—this global movement offers both a challenge and an opportunity: to lead through design, material science, and circular responsibility.

The Global Plastics Treaty is a historic international effort to tackle plastic pollution at its source.
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the planet generates around 400 million tons of plastic waste every year, yet less than 10% is properly recycled. The rest ends up in rivers, oceans, and even the air we breathe—becoming an invisible but deadly threat to ecosystems and human life.

The fifth round of treaty negotiations (INC-5) was held in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, drawing representatives from 175 countries and over 400 observers and organizations. Often compared to the Paris Agreement, the treaty seeks to curb plastic pollution across every stage of the plastic lifecycle—from production to disposal—by creating a global framework for action that ensures consistency, feasibility, and measurable results.

The UN aimed to finalize a legally binding agreement by 2024. The goal: to build a comprehensive framework that reduces plastic production, improves recycling, and accelerates a global circular economy.

However, consensus proved elusive. The talks ended without a finalized draft, with the chair announcing that discussions would resume at a later date.
The main point of contention? Whether to limit plastic production at its source.
Over 100 countries supported upstream production caps, while oil-producing nations pushed back, arguing that efforts should instead focus on downstream recycling and waste management.

💡 Did You Know?

99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels, a high-carbon source.

Every minute, the world uses around 2 million plastic bags, which can take up to 500 years to decompose.

By 2050, the weight of plastic in the ocean could surpass that of all fish combined.

Around 80% of marine litter is made of plastic—making each of us a crucial player in the solution.

The traditional “take-make-dispose” model treats plastic as waste—leading to low recycling rates and massive resource loss.

A circular economy, however, views plastic as a resource that can be reused, remanufactured, and reintegrated into production systems. The goal: to extend product lifecycles, eliminate waste, and ensure that materials circulate within a sustainable ecosystem.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) outlines three key principles of the circular economy:

1. Design products that are easy to dismantle, reassemble, and non-toxic.

2. Extend the lifespan of materials and products as long as possible.

3. Use renewable resources to minimize dependence on finite ones.

Innovation has always been at RHINOSHIELD’s core—and sustainability is no exception.

The brand applies circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact, eliminate waste, and promote single-material design for efficient recycling.

This year, RHINOSHIELD launched CircularNext, Taiwan’s first 100% recycled phone case, marking a major milestone in plastic circularity.

1) Recycling Old Cases and Reusing Scraps

CircularNext’s recycled materials come from two main sources: returned phone cases collected through RHINOSHIELD’s recycling program, and production offcuts. Every piece—no matter how small—is reused to its fullest potential.

2) Single-Material Design for Efficient Recycling

Most phone cases on the market combine multiple materials, making them difficult and expensive to recycle.
RHINOSHIELD’s single-material design allows direct shredding and remanufacturing, eliminating complex separation steps and making the process faster and cleaner.

3) Technology-Enhanced Durability

Material recycling can weaken structural integrity, but RHINOSHIELD’s proprietary material technology allows at least six full recycling cycles while maintaining top-tier toughness and performance.

4) Transparent Circular Tracking

Each CircularNext case includes a QR code that reveals its recycling history and production details—bringing traceability and transparency to the entire lifecycle.

5) Reverse Logistics and Expanding Impact

Since 2022, RHINOSHIELD’s Circular Ecosystem Recycling Program has built an accessible reverse logistics network to make recycling easy for consumers.
The company plans to expand the initiative through physical stores, mail-in programs, and regional partners across Asia-Pacific and Europe, inviting more brands to co-create a sustainable circular ecosystem.

Although the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations remain at an impasse, progress toward change must not stop.

Plastic pollution is a global challenge—and solving it requires collaboration among individuals, industries, and nations.

As a pioneer in circular plastic design, RHINOSHIELD continues to turn commitment into action. From single-material engineering and recycling innovation to transparent traceability and global partnerships, every initiative embodies the brand’s belief that sustainability is a shared responsibility.

Every choice matters. Together, we can transform the way plastic is made, used, and reused—to build a resilient, regenerative planet for future generations.

• OECD, Plastics

• AP (Dec 2, 2024). What to know about the plastic pollution treaty talks that have concluded in South Korea

• Business Today ESG Taiwan (Dec 2, 2024). Why the Global Plastics Treaty has yet to reach an agreement

• Environmental Information Center (Dec 2, 2024). Global Plastics Treaty talks stalled—negotiations to continue next year

• Greenpeace (Dec 3, 2024). INC-5 Breakdown: Why plastic production cuts are non-negotiable