singleUsePlastic_sustainability_factsheet_EN

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

. . 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..

. E c o n o m i c I m p a c t s E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t s H e a l t h I m p a c t s 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.

. 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 a t u r a l N a t u 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.