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Reducing plastic waste
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This paper examined strategies and policy mechanisms for reducing plastic waste, reviewing effectiveness of bans, extended producer responsibility, and behavior change interventions in different national contexts.
Reducing plastic waste Overview Plastics are versatile and inexpensive, and are used widely across different sectors.However, the resulting plastic pollution may pose risks to human, animal and environmental health globally. In March 2022, United Nations Member States agreed to develop an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by 2024.The UK governments set out ambitious plastic waste plans in 2020 and 2023.However, these may need to change if the UN targets are to be achieved.
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Preventing single-use plastic waste
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This policy chapter reviews strategies for preventing single-use plastic waste, covering bans, fees, deposit-return schemes, and extended producer responsibility programs. Single-use plastics account for approximately half of all plastic waste and are a major source of environmental microplastic contamination. The chapter evaluates the effectiveness and design of different policy instruments for reducing single-use plastic consumption.
Addressing the single-use plastic proliferation problem
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This review examined the effectiveness of single-use plastic bans as a policy tool for addressing plastic pollution, evaluating evidence on their environmental impact and discussing alternative regulatory approaches. The authors found that while bans have reduced certain plastic categories, broader systemic changes to plastic production and waste management are needed.
Break Free from Plastics: Environmental Perspectives and Evidence from Rwanda
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This paper reviews plastic pollution challenges in Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa, documenting evidence of microplastic contamination in inland and coastal waters and evaluating the effectiveness of plastic bans and extended producer responsibility policies in reducing plastic waste.
Perspectives on Plastic Waste Management: Challenges and Possible Solutions to Ensure Its Sustainable Use
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This review argues that banning all plastics is not realistic and instead calls for better waste management, recycling technology, and circular economy approaches to reduce plastic pollution. The authors outline strategies including biodegradable alternatives, improved recycling infrastructure, and policy changes to minimize plastic entering the environment. Reducing plastic waste at the source is critical for lowering human exposure to microplastics in food, water, and air.
Single-use Plastic Ban and its Public Health Impacts: A Narrative Review
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This review examines global policies and bans on single-use plastics, finding that they have helped reduce plastic pollution in some regions. However, enforcement and public health impacts vary widely, and more consistent international policy is needed to effectively address plastic waste.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.