Brian Barton
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that affects the environment, health, food security, and economies. Governments around the world have started to recognize the need to take action and implement policies to combat this crisis. The United States government, for instance, has proposed the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, which aims to reduce single-use plastic products and packaging, enhance producer responsibility, and address the negative impacts of plastic incineration. Additionally, the US has joined international efforts, such as the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), to drive collective action and promote global collaboration. Other initiatives include the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, which aims to eliminate plastic waste release into the environment by 2040. These measures reflect a growing awareness of the urgency to tackle plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on our planet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Articles dealing with government action to regulate plastic pollution | 45 |
| Articles publication date | 2019-2021 |
| Categories of policies described in the articles | Production, consumption, disposal, and circular approaches |
| Most regulated SUP items | Bags, Styrofoam products, microbeads |
| Country that generates the most plastic waste | United States |
| Number of shipping containers of plastic waste exported by the U.S. per day | 225 |
| Date the EPA published the "Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution" | April 2023 |
| Number of comment letters received by the EPA | 92,000 |
| Date of the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution | November 21, 2024 |
| Date the United States joined other countries in adopting a resolution on plastic pollution at the UNEA | March 2022 |
| Aim of the resolution | Develop a new international agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024 |
| Organization that administers and manages EPPIC | International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Aspen Institute, and Searious Business |
| Initial funding for EPPIC | $14.5 million |
| Current funding for EPPIC | $28 million |
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What You'll Learn
Bans on single-use plastic items
Many countries have implemented bans on single-use plastic bags, recognising their detrimental effects on the environment. Bangladesh was the first country to introduce such a ban in 2002, and since then, over 130 other countries have followed suit with either complete or partial bans on thin plastic bags. In 2020, a single-use plastic legislation was passed in Japan, requiring retailers to charge for plastic shopping bags. China has also announced a plan to ban non-degradable bags in all cities and towns by 2022.
Beyond plastic bags, there is a growing number of regulations on other single-use plastic items. For example, since July 2021, the EU has banned single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, and cotton buds across all member states. Cups and food containers made of expanded polystyrene are also prohibited. Canada has committed to prohibiting six single-use plastic items, including plastic grocery bags, straws, stir sticks, and cutlery, by the end of 2021. India has taken a similar approach, banning 19 single-use items such as cutlery, straws, and drinks stirrers in 2022.
Some countries are also targeting the production and importation of single-use plastics. Thailand, for instance, banned single-use plastics from 155 national parks in 2019. India's ban includes the production, importation, stock, distribution, and sale of the prohibited items. These measures aim to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics and promote the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.
Public support for single-use plastic bans is strong, with a global survey finding that more than 75% of respondents support such bans. As countries work towards developing legally binding agreements on plastic pollution, it is likely that we will see more comprehensive and stringent bans on single-use plastic items worldwide.
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Plastic disposal via incineration
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that impacts the environment, health, food security, and economies. An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and the majority of this plastic does not biodegrade, persisting in the environment for centuries. While governments have implemented various measures to combat plastic pollution, including bans on single-use plastic items, there is a growing need to address the production and disposal phases, which are currently under-regulated and under-researched.
However, the burning of plastics can release toxic gases and pollutants, including carbon monoxide, dioxins, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions contribute to air pollution, ground-level ozone, and respiratory issues, and have significant impacts on both human health and the ecosystem. The release of toxins during incineration is particularly prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries, where environmental regulations may be less stringent, and older incinerator technologies may be in use.
To mitigate the negative impacts of plastic incineration, several countries, including Japan and some European nations, have implemented strict regulations and advanced technologies to capture pollutants. Modern incinerators employ efficient combustion, end-of-pipe treatment, selective catalytic reduction, and the use of inhibitors to minimize toxin emissions. As a result, incineration can become a viable component of waste-to-energy strategies, contributing to energy recovery while reducing waste volume.
While incineration can play a role in plastic waste management, it should be carefully regulated and controlled to prevent environmental and health hazards. Additionally, it is essential to explore alternative methods, such as recycling, material recovery, and the promotion of circular economy practices, to comprehensively address the plastic pollution crisis.
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Plastic production impact on communities of colour
Plastic production and pollution disproportionately affect communities of colour. This is due to the racial makeup of the communities where plastic-producing facilities tend to be located. These communities are exposed to severe health risks from air and water pollution, including asthma, lung cancer, brain and organ damage, vomiting, diarrhoea, and cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to suffer from higher mortality rates from respiratory diseases.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the grassroots environmental group, Azul, produced a report titled "Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution", which found that plastic pollution disproportionately impacts marginalized groups. The report highlights how environmental injustices are linked to plastic production, such as deforestation, the displacement of indigenous peoples, and contamination of potable water by fracking operations. It also warns of health problems among African-American communities living near oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico and the occupational risks faced by waste pickers in India.
In the United States, the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana, also known as "'Cancer Alley'", is a region notorious for its high concentrations of petrochemical plants and refineries. This area has abundant oil and gas deposits and lax enforcement of environmental regulations, making it attractive to the petrochemical industry. As a result, residents, particularly Black Americans, have suffered from unusually high rates of cancer and other health issues. For example, in 1982, a protest led by the NAACP in Warren County, North Carolina, a predominantly Black community, brought attention to the need for environmental policies that protect communities of colour from hazardous waste sites.
The placement of plastic-producing facilities near communities of colour is often linked to discriminatory practices such as redlining, gentrification, and zoning policies. These communities are targeted for fracking operations and waste management sites due to their economic vulnerabilities. Additionally, the insatiable demand for plastic contributes to the continuous harms experienced by these communities. Every community with railroad tracks transporting petrochemicals is at risk of health and environmental damage, as evidenced by the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released toxic chemicals.
To address these injustices, the UNEP and grassroots organizations emphasize the importance of environmental justice. This includes educating communities about the risks of plastic pollution, including them in decisions about production, use, and disposal, and ensuring their access to a credible judicial system. Governments are urged to expand plastic waste monitoring, study health impacts, and invest in waste management, as well as enforce bans on single-use plastics and promote recycling and reuse.
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The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that affects the environment, biodiversity, human health, food security, and economies. An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and plastic pollution disproportionately impacts communities of colour, low-income communities, and Indigenous communities. To address this crisis, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA) was introduced in the United States Congress in 2021 by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Alan Lowenthal. The Act was later re-introduced in October 2023 by Senator Merkley and Representative Jared Huffman.
The BFFPPA is a comprehensive set of policy solutions aimed at reducing plastic pollution and reforming the waste and recycling system. It builds on successful statewide laws across the US and proposes practical strategies to achieve a healthier and more sustainable future. The Act includes measures such as requiring large corporations to take responsibility for their pollution, setting aggressive source reduction targets for single-use plastic products and beverage containers, creating a nationwide beverage container refund program, reducing and banning certain non-recyclable single-use plastic products, and establishing grant programs to support reusable and refillable alternatives.
The BFFPPA also addresses false solutions to plastic pollution, such as incineration, and calls for a pause on new or expanded plastic production. By enacting producer responsibility, the Act aims to reduce the environmental, social, and health impacts of plastic production and disposal. This includes the toxic chemicals in plastic packaging and products that cause irreparable damage to wildlife, the environment, and human health.
The introduction of the BFFPPA in Congress was welcomed by organizations and activists across the country, who projected anti-plastic messages in English and Spanish on landmarks in seven major US cities, including San Francisco, Portland, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. The Act represents a vital opportunity for the US government to take concrete action and address the plastic pollution crisis, building on international efforts such as the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) and the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) resolution on plastic pollution.
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Global efforts to combat plastic pollution
The need for a global treaty arises from the transboundary nature of plastic pollution, which requires collective action on a global scale. Various international organizations, such as the IUCN, emphasize the importance of ambitious reductions in plastic production, phasing out harmful subsidies, and eliminating products and chemicals that contribute to this crisis. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is another example of a global effort, aiming to ensure that businesses, governments, and stakeholders take responsibility and reduce plastic pollution.
Many countries have also taken individual initiatives to tackle plastic pollution. For instance, India, the second most populated country in the world, has implemented a ban on single-use plastic products, including straws, cutlery, and plastic bags. This ban was enforced due to the country's struggles with waste management and the resulting plastic waste that littered its streets. Similarly, Guatemala banned single-use plastics in 2019, giving its citizens a two-year deadline to find alternatives.
In addition to governmental efforts, major companies are also supporting collaborative initiatives to address plastic pollution. These industry leaders are advocating for federal government action to implement policies that incentivize positive behavior and encourage companies to actively address this issue. Organizations like WWF are working with these companies to create meaningful change within their supply chains.
The world is witnessing a growing awareness and a groundswell of support from the public and businesses to reduce plastic pollution. It is evident that a multifaceted approach, involving governments, organizations, and corporations, is necessary to effectively combat plastic pollution on a global scale.
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Frequently asked questions
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is a piece of legislation introduced in 2021 by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Lowenthal. The Act aims to reduce throwaway plastics, enact producer responsibility, combat false solutions such as incineration, and pause new or expanded plastic production.
Some examples of government rules about plastic pollution include the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act passed by Congress in 2020, the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, and the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2023.
The End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) is an international public-private partnership that aims to reduce plastic pollution by utilizing scientific research and stakeholder engagement to inform policy. It was launched in 2023 with $14.5 million in funding, which has since doubled to $28 million.
