Environment and energy ministers from the Group of 20 agreed to the outline of a new international framework in order to tackle the problem of marine plastic waste, at their meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, on Sunday.

The actions, though not legally binding, are the first of their kind. They call upon the G20 nations to share information on their policies, plans and measures to identify the best practices for preventing and reducing plastic litter discharge into the world's oceans.

In addition, the framework calls for international collaboration in a number of areas related to environmental damage due to such waste. These include using resources more efficiently, developing better waste management and water treatment practices and technologies, and creating more environmentally sound products and designs.