In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a historic resolution to start an intergovernmental negotiation with the purpose of developing an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. While it is an inspiring and ambitious move made by the international community to combat the long-lasting plastic issue at a worldwide level, debates over this topic still exist. This paper aims to present the status quo of international law-making efforts on plastic pollution and UNEA’s current mandate. Divergent opinions exist regarding fundamental elements of this new instrument, such as the objectives, principles, harmonization with other regimes, the full lifecycle approach, the principle of extended producer responsibility, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. It is a long way to go before concluding this new instrument and this paper provides some insights to facilitate understanding of the issues.