Tackling Plastic Pollution: Legislative Guide for the Regulation of Single-Use Plastic Products

Plastic products designed to be used only once before they are disposed of, termed “single-use plastic products”, are increasingly regulated by Governments concerned about the environmental, social, health or other impacts of plastic waste and pollution. This guide is a tool to help legislators and policymakers explore options for reducing the harmful impacts of single use plastic products by regulating their production and consumption, promoting alternatives and/or improving the management, recycling and final disposal of single-use plastic waste. The guide outlines the most used regulatory approaches and explains the main elements that legislators will need to consider when drafting legislation. Each type of regulatory approach is illustrated by examples of actions taken by governments around the world, including sample legal provisions.