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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution
ClearPolitics and the plastic crisis: A review throughout the plastic life cycle
This political science review analyzed over 180 studies on the governance of plastics across their full life cycle, finding that marine pollution and microplastics are driving the fastest growth in plastic policy research. The authors identify fragmented governance architectures and the absence of binding international agreements as major obstacles to addressing the global plastic crisis.
Plastic Waste Recycling is Insufficient to Mitigate Plastic Pollution: the Need for a Paradigm Shift
This review argues that plastic waste recycling is fundamentally insufficient to address global plastic pollution and calls for a paradigm shift away from end-of-pipe solutions toward upstream production reduction. The authors examine the structural limitations of current recycling strategies and the economic and policy barriers that prevent meaningful plastic pollution mitigation.
Beyond surface: Unveiling ecological and economic ramifications of microplastic pollution in the oceans
This review examines the ecological and economic damage caused by microplastic pollution in the world's oceans, where 400 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated annually. The paper argues that international legislation and a global plastics treaty are essential to shift toward a circular plastics economy and prevent further harm to marine ecosystems. Without decisive action, microplastic pollution will continue to threaten both ocean health and the communities that depend on marine resources.
Microplastics: A Review of Policies and Responses
This critical review assembled current knowledge on policies and regulatory responses to plastic pollution globally, including legislative measures, economic instruments, and voluntary commitments. The authors identify a gap between scientific evidence and policy action and call for stronger, more coordinated international governance of plastic pollution.
On the Challenge of Plastic Wastes and Litter in Oceans: Some Policy Reflections
This policy analysis discusses the growing crisis of plastic litter in the world's oceans, reviewing international agreements and national policies aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution. The authors argue that current policy efforts fall far short of what is needed and propose stronger global governance frameworks.
Mapping of global plastic value chain and plastic losses to the environment: with a particular focus on marine environment
This report maps the global plastic value chain from production through use to waste management, estimating that millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with significant regional variation in management capacity. The analysis provides the economic and waste management context needed to understand why plastic pollution — and the resulting microplastic problem — continues to grow globally.
Solving the Plastics Crisis in New Zealand: The need for domestic regulation as well as a global treaty
This review examines New Zealand's current plastic pollution regulations and finds them insufficient to address the plastics crisis, arguing that an effective solution requires a circular economy approach regulating the entire plastic lifecycle — from upstream production and design to downstream recycling and biodegradation — supported by both domestic legislation and a binding global treaty.
Advancing the international regulation of plastic pollution beyond the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution on marine litter and microplastics
This legal paper reviews international frameworks relevant to plastic pollution and argues for a binding global agreement specifically targeting plastic pollution, beyond existing resolutions. A comprehensive international treaty is increasingly seen as necessary to meaningfully reduce plastic pollution, including microplastics.
Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of marine plastic pollution: Evaluating policy effectiveness and mitigation strategies in the Global South.
Researchers synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence on marine plastic pollution in the Global South, identifying rapid urbanization, inadequate waste infrastructure, and weak governance as primary drivers, and recommending integrated strategies combining single-use plastic bans, extended producer responsibility, regional cooperation, and circular economy incentives.
The need for a global plastic strategy
This book chapter argues for the need for a coordinated global strategy to address plastic pollution, drawing parallels to international agreements on chemicals and waste. It emphasizes that most microplastics originate on land and that both freshwater and marine systems require integrated policy responses.
Enhanced plastic economy: a perspective and a call for international action
This perspective argues that the current plastic circular economy is too narrowly focused on recycling, reuse, and energy recovery, and calls for an enhanced framework that prioritizes innovation and coordinated international action to reduce plastic pollution. A broader approach targeting all lifecycle stages is proposed.
What Shall We Do With a Sea of Plastics? A Systematic Literature Review on How to Pave the Road Toward a Global Comprehensive Plastic Governance Agreement
A systematic literature review of 64 peer-reviewed articles analyzed what a successful global plastic governance agreement would require, identifying key elements including binding reduction targets, extended producer responsibility, and a lifecycle approach that addresses plastic from production through disposal.
A transdisciplinary approach to reducing global plastic pollution
This opinion piece advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to reducing global plastic pollution, emphasizing the need to integrate natural science, social science, governance, and industry perspectives to develop effective and equitable solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.
Plastic pollution of the world’s seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge in ocean governance
This paper frames plastic pollution of the world's seas and oceans as a defining contemporary challenge in ocean stewardship, reviewing the scale of the problem and arguing for urgent policy and management responses.
Transforming the Plastic Industry: Global Regulatory Evolution and Sustainability Trends (2018-2024)
Researchers analyzed the evolution of plastic governance frameworks across ten major economies from 2018 to 2024, documenting regulatory milestones including single-use plastic bans and extended producer responsibility schemes and assessing progress toward sustainability goals in the global plastics industry.
An Integrated Analysis of Plastic Packaging Value Chain: Identifying Barriers and Enablers for a Circular Economy
Researchers analyzed the full plastic packaging value chain to identify barriers and enablers for transitioning to a circular economy, tracing the evolution of circular economy concepts and quantifying the environmental impacts associated with exponential plastic waste growth. The study provides an integrated framework mapping opportunities for intervention across production, use, collection, and recycling stages.
Analysis of Marine Plastic Pollution and Environmental Problems
This review examines the sources, environmental and socioeconomic effects, and policy responses to marine plastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge is substantial, policy and regulatory initiatives have so far been inadequate and inconsistent across countries. The paper calls for stronger international coordination and more effective governance tools to meaningfully reduce plastic inputs to the ocean.
Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter
This review argues that circular economy measures — including improved collection, reuse, recycling, and design for end-of-life — are necessary to keep plastic value in the economy while reducing the estimated 5-15 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually. Researchers present a framework of policy and industry measures to transition away from the current linear 'make-use-dispose' model that drives marine litter accumulation.
Global Plastic Pollution and International Legal and Policy Responses
This Japanese legal review examines international efforts to create a binding treaty to end plastic pollution, analyzing what elements are needed based on experience with prior environmental agreements. The paper is particularly relevant given the ongoing United Nations negotiations toward a global plastics treaty.
Explore the Impact of Marine Plastic Pollution and Countermeasures
This paper reviewed the scope of marine plastic pollution, its distribution across ocean ecosystems, and its socioeconomic effects on coastal communities, finding that existing international agreements and waste management efforts remain insufficient to address the scale of the problem.