People climb buildings and hand out soap to push for a plastic pollution treaty

People climb buildings and hand out soap to push for a plastic pollution treaty World Aug 13, 2025 12:50 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — A Swiss ocean protection group is handing out bars of soap to negotiators working on a global accord to end plastic pollution.

The messaging on the cardboard box from the Geneva-based Gallifrey foundation reads “no dirty tricks, vote for a clean plastics treaty.”

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As Thai diplomat Jutha Saovabha walked to the treaty talks Wednesday morning, Gallifrey Foundation spokesperson Laurianne Trimoulla stopped him to chat and handed him a soap. Saovabha said it was a lovely gift and he liked the plastic-free packaging.

Nations are crafting the first global, legally b