Name: singleUsePlastic_sustainability_factsheet_EN
Uploaded: 2022-02-26
Duration: 5 min 42 s
Description: . . environn SINGLE-I" PLASTI( A Roadmap for Sustain Fact-sheet for Policyma Photo credit:.

. . environn SINGLE-I" PLASTI( A Roadmap for Sustain Fact-sheet for Policyma Photo credit:. 

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environn
SINGLE-I"
PLASTI(
A Roadmap for Sustain
Fact-sheet for Policyma
Photo credit:

Photo credit:  londonista_londonist/Flicker.com

. . The plastic context Much of the plastic we produce is designed to be thrown away after being used only once (single-use or disposable). What happens to plastic waste? Disposal of all plastic waste ever produced as of 2015 incinerated recycled landfills, Since the 1950s, the production of plastic has outpaced that of almost every other material. World plastic production in 2015: 400 million tonnes, of which is plastic packaging. Total Plastic packaging waste in 2015 • 141 million tonnes. Problematic single-use plastics The most common single-use plastics found on beaches are in order of magnitude, cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, plastic lids, straws and stirrers, and foam take-away containers.. 

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The plastic
context
Much of the plastic we
produce is designed to be
thrown away after being
used only once (single-use
or disposable).
What happens to
plastic waste?
Disposal of all plastic waste
ever produced as of 2015
incinerated
recycled
landfills,
Since the 1950s, the
production of plastic has
outpaced that of almost
every other material.
World plastic production in
2015: 400 million tonnes,
of which is plastic packaging.
Total Plastic packaging waste in 2015 •
141 million tonnes.
Problematic
single-use plastics
The most common single-use
plastics found on beaches are
in order of magnitude, cigarette
butts, plastic beverage bottles,
plastic bottle caps, food wrappers,
plastic grocery bags, plastic lids,
straws and stirrers, and foam
take-away containers.

What happens to
plastic waste?
Disposal of all plastic waste
ever produced as of 2015
incinerated
recycled
landfills,
dumps or in the environment
Problematic
single-use plastics
The most common single-use
plastics found on beaches are
in order of magnitude, cigarette
butts, plastic beverage bottles,
plastic bottle caps, food wrappers,
plastic grocery bags, plastic lids,
straws and stirrers, and foam
take-away containers.
Although there are some
successful initiatives that aim
to tackle other types of single-use
plastics the recent drive for action
by governments largely focuses
on plastic bags and, to a certain
extent, foamed plastic products.

The most common single-use 
plastics found on beaches are 
in order of magnitude, cigarette 
butts, plastic beverage bottles, 
plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, 
plastic grocery bags, plastic lids, 
straws and stirrers, and foam 
take-away containers.

79% landfills, 
dumps or in the environment

Total Plastic packaging waste in 2015 : 
141 million tonnes.

Since the 1950s, the 
production of plastic has 
outpaced that of almost 
every other material.

World plastic production in 
2015: 400 million tonnes, 
36% 
of which is plastic packaging.

used only once (single-use 
or disposable).

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Plastic bags and foamed plastic products seem to be perceived by governments as the most problematic single-
use plastics, given their easily observable presence (as an eyesore) in the environment, such as windblown bags clinging onto fences or trees or floating in rivers.
Some of the characteristics that make them commercially successful – price, durability and resistance - also contribute to making them environmentally unsound (when mismanaged) and difficult to recycle.
Why plastic bags and Styrofoam products?
1-5 trillion plastics bags are used worldwide each year.
R
R Contaminates soil and water
R
R Choke waterways and exacerbate natural disasters R
R By 2050, an estimated 99% of seabirds will have ingested plastic
R
R Block sewage systems and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising the risk of malaria transmission
R
R Release toxic chemicals and emissions if burned Welfare losses (visual pollution)
R
RFood chain contamination
Cost of inaction: If we don’t improve our consumption patterns and waste management practices, by 2050 there will be around 12 million metric tonnes of plastic litter in landfills and in the environment.
Impacts of mismanaged single-use plastics
Foamed plastic is used to produce food containers as it is rigid, lightweight, and has good insulation properties
R
R Cause economic loss in tourism, fishing and shipping industries
R
R High cost of transport to centralized plant of lightweight foamed plastics due to difficulty in recycling at local plants
R
R Future costs of removal of accumulated plastic litter in the environment. 

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Plastic bags and foamed plastic products 
seem to be perceived by governments 
as the most problematic single-
use plastics, given their easily 
observable presence (as an 
eyesore) in the environment, 
such as windblown bags 
clinging onto fences or trees 
or floating in rivers.
Some of the characteristics 
that make them commercially 
successful – price, durability 
and resistance - also 
contribute to making 
them environmentally 
unsound 
(when 
mismanaged) 
and 
difficult to recycle.
Why plastic bags and Styrofoam products?
1-5 
trillion 
plastics bags are 
used worldwide 
each year.
R
R Contaminates soil 
and water
R
R Choke waterways and 
exacerbate natural disasters 
R
R By 2050, an estimated 
99% of seabirds will have 
ingested plastic
R
R Block sewage 
systems and provide 
breeding grounds for 
mosquitoes, raising the risk 
of malaria transmission
R
R Release toxic chemicals and 
emissions if burned Welfare 
losses (visual pollution)
R
RFood chain 
contamination
Cost of inaction: If we don’t improve our consumption patterns and waste management practices, 
by 2050 there will be around 12 million metric tonnes of plastic litter in landfills and in the 
environment.
Impacts of mismanaged single-use plastics
Foamed 
plastic is used 
to produce food 
containers as it is 
rigid, lightweight, and 
has good insulation 
properties
R
R Cause 
economic loss 
in tourism, fishing and 
shipping industries
R
R High cost of transport to 
centralized plant of lightweight 
foamed plastics due to difficulty 
in recycling at local plants
R
R Future costs of removal of 
accumulated plastic litter 
in the environment

. . . . . . 4. ENABLE VOLUNTARY REDUCTION STRATEGIES. 

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BAN OR INTRODUCE LEVIES 
ON THE USE AND SALE OF 
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC 
ITEMS

Reduction strategies can lead to fostering the understandings of people, without the forced sudden change.

Voluntary agreements between 
government and retailers/producers

Existence of the raised social awareness and the public pressure would be a pre-condition for the effective 
reduction strategies.

EDUCATE 
CONSUMERS TO MAKE 
ENVIRONMENTALLY 
FRIENDLY CHOICES

School education 
incorporated in curriculums
Awareness campaigns

Public pressure 
to drive public and 
private sector decisions

Priority actions to minimize single-use plastics

National level plastic bag bans and Styrofoam regulations

PROMOTE ECO-FRIENDLY 
ALTERNATIVES TO 
PHASE OUT SINGLE-USE 
PLASTICS

Segregation of 
waste at sources: 
plastics, organic, 
metals, paper, etc.

Effective collection 
 of the segregated 
waste, transport 
and safe storage

Introduce Economic Incentives 
including tax rebates, research and 
development funds, technology 
incubation support, public-private 
partnerships

Cost-effective 
recycling of materials 
(including plastics)

Support projects to 
upscale or recycle 
single-use items 
transforming potential 
wastes into a resource

Less landfilling 
and dumping in 
the environment

Stimulate creation of 
micro-enterprises to 
drive job creation 
and economic growth

Example of policy tools
Regulatory instruments
Ban

Economic instruments
Levy on suppliers
Levy on retailers
Levy on consumers

Combination of Regulatory 
and Economic instruments

Ban and levy
Extended Producer Responsibility

. Case studies in the publication
What about biodegradable plastic items?
Estimated number of new regulations on single-use plastics entering into force at the national level worldwide
Impact of national bans and levies on plastic bags
(based on more than 60 countries experience)
Reduced consumption or less pollution 30%
No data on impact 50%
No to little impact 20%
EUROPE: Ireland (levy on consumers) Austria (voluntary public-private agreement)
AFRICA: Rwanda (total plastic bag ban) South Africa (combined ban and levy on retailers) Kenya (punitive total ban)
ASIA: China (national and provincial bans and levies) Bangladesh (how social pressure and disaster management can lead to banning) India (public action as driver of change)
AMERICAS: New York City (Styrofoam ban) Costa Rica (total single-use plastic ban) Bans in the Caribbean Region (Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bay Islands Honduras)
Many governments outlawed conventional plastic bags, allowing only the use and production of “biodegradable” bags.
N
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100%
Biodegradable Number of regulations on plastic bags, Styrofoam and other plastic utensils that entered into force
Better waste management systems to limit leakage and damage to the environment is as relevant for fossil-fuel based plastics than for biodegradable plastics.
“Biodegradable” plastic items often do not degrade automatically in the environment and especially not in the ocean. They require exposure to prolonged high temperatures, above 50°C. Such conditions are met in incineration plants, but very rarely in the environment.. 

Scene 5

Case studies in the publication
What about biodegradable 
plastic items?
Estimated number of new regulations on 
single-use plastics entering into force at 
the national level worldwide
Impact of national bans and 
levies on plastic bags
(based on more than 60 countries experience)
Reduced consumption 
or less pollution 
30%
No data on impact 
50%
No to little impact 
20%
EUROPE: 
Ireland (levy on consumers) 
Austria (voluntary public-private agreement)
AFRICA: 
Rwanda (total plastic bag ban) 
South Africa (combined ban and levy on 
retailers) 
Kenya (punitive total ban)
ASIA: 
China (national and provincial bans and levies) 
Bangladesh (how social pressure and disaster 
management can lead to banning) 
India (public action as driver of change)
AMERICAS: 
New York City (Styrofoam ban) 
Costa Rica (total single-use plastic ban) 
Bans in the Caribbean Region (Antigua and 
Barbuda, Aruba, Bay Islands Honduras)
Many 
governments 
outlawed 
conventional plastic 
bags, allowing only the 
use and production 
of “biodegradable” 
bags.
N
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t
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r
a
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N
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r
a
l
100%
Biodegradable
 Number of regulations on plastic bags, Styrofoam 
and other plastic utensils that entered into force
Better waste 
management 
systems to limit 
leakage and damage to 
the environment is as 
relevant for fossil-fuel 
based plastics than 
for biodegradable 
plastics.
“Biodegradable” 
plastic items often do 
not degrade automatically 
in the environment and 
especially not in the ocean. 
They require exposure to 
prolonged high temperatures, 
above 50°C. Such conditions 
are met in incineration 
plants, but very rarely in 
the environment.

. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya, 00100
Tel: +254 20 7621234
Web: www.unenvironment.org
International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)
Economy Division of UNEP
2-110, Ryokuchi koen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka, 538-0036, Japan
Tel: +81 6 6915 4581
E-mail: ietc@unep.org Web: www.unep.org/ietc
Roadmap for policymakers
The 10 steps to consider when introducing bans or levies on single-use plastics
Transitioning to more eco-friendly alternatives can be a lengthy process. In the meantime, strengthening circular thinking and waste management systems can successfully help in reducing plastics pollution
1
Know the baseline
•	Identify the most problematic single-use plastics
•	Assess current causes
•	Assess extent
•	Assess impacts
•	Evaluate consumers’ willingness to pay
•	Audits
•	Surveys
•	Studies and interviews
Keep the public updated on progress!
10
Monitor and adjust policy
3
Assess impacts of preferred option
•	Social
•	Economic
•	Environmental
In order to support:
• Waste minimization
• The recycling industry
•	Environmental projects and to finance	awareness	initiatives
Communicate the chosen purpose!
8
Ringfence revenues
4
Engage stakeholders
•	Government (central and local)
•	Industry
•	Retailers
•	Waste management authority
•	Citizens
•	Tourism associations
•	Allow enough time for the transition
•	Offer tax rebates
•	Keep certain eco-friendly materials tax-free
7
Incentivize industry
5
Raise awareness
•	Education programmes
•	TV adverts
•	Campaigns to explain: >Why is the policy being introduced? >What	are	the	expected	benefits? >Are there punitive measures?
•	Eco-friendly
•	Affordable
•	Fit for purpose
Promote alternatives 6
2
Evaluate possible actions
•	Regulatory
•	Voluntary
•	Economic
•	Combination
• Set roles and responsibilities
•	Ensure	sufficient human-power for enforcement
•	Communicate the enforcement process
•	Prosecute offenders in line with policy revisions
9
Enforce. 

Scene 6

United Nations Environment Programme 
(UNEP)
P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya, 00100
Tel: +254 20 7621234
Web: www.unenvironment.org
International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)
Economy Division of UNEP
2-110, Ryokuchi koen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka, 538-0036, 
Japan
Tel: +81 6 6915 4581
E-mail: ietc@unep.org        
Web: www.unep.org/ietc
Roadmap for policymakers
The 10 steps to consider when introducing bans or levies on single-use plastics
Transitioning to more eco-friendly alternatives can 
be a lengthy process. In the meantime, strengthening 
circular thinking and waste management systems 
can successfully help in reducing plastics pollution
1
Know the 
baseline
•	Identify the most problematic 
single-use plastics
•	Assess current causes
•	Assess extent
•	Assess impacts
•	Evaluate consumers’ 
willingness to pay
•	Audits
•	Surveys
•	Studies and interviews
Keep the public 
updated on progress!
10
Monitor and 
adjust policy
3
Assess 
impacts of 
preferred 
option
•	Social
•	Economic
•	Environmental
In order to support:
•	 Waste minimization
•	 The recycling industry
•	Environmental projects and to 
finance	awareness	initiatives
Communicate the chosen purpose!
8
Ringfence 
revenues
4
Engage 
stakeholders
•	Government (central and local)
•	Industry
•	Retailers
•	Waste management authority
•	Citizens
•	Tourism associations
•	Allow enough time 
 for the transition
•	Offer tax rebates
•	Keep certain eco-friendly 
materials tax-free
7
Incentivize 
industry
5
Raise 
awareness
•	Education programmes
•	TV adverts
•	Campaigns to explain:
 >Why is the policy being 
introduced?
 >What	are	the	expected	benefits?
 >Are there punitive measures?
•	Eco-friendly
•	Affordable
•	Fit for purpose
Promote 
alternatives 6
2
Evaluate 
possible 
actions
•	Regulatory
•	Voluntary
•	Economic
•	Combination
•	 Set roles and 
responsibilities
•	Ensure	sufficient 
human-power for enforcement
•	Communicate the 
enforcement process
•	Prosecute offenders in line 
with policy revisions
9
Enforce