U.N. plastics treaty talks collapse

The nations of the world were supposed to complete negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty on December 1 .

The main sticking point was some countries' demand for a global cap on the future production of plastics.

An estimated 30 million tons of plastic waste currently float in the oceans, and a further 109 million tons are piled up in rivers.

McKinsey consultancy estimated that building out fully functional waste management systems could cost emerging economies $560 billion to $680 billion over 10 years .

The Montreal Protocol succeeded in eliminating the chlorofluorocarbon emissions that were eroding the Earth 's ozone layer.

The Paris Climate Change Agreement has so far failed to stem the greenhouse gas emissions associated with global climate change.

Negotiations will resume next year .