ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAAABAC
1
Plastic Waste Reduction
2
Updated 09/13/2019
3
Science Policy Group at Berkeley ; UC Berkeley ; @UCB_SciPolicy
4
Policy resource titleAuthor(s)Organization(s)Date publishedTarget audienceMotivationKey findings or recommendations
5
PublicPolicymakersSci expertsAcademiaOther
6
These resources include published white papers, government or private reports, academic reviews articles, or other strategic documents that are related to Plastic Waste Reduction. These sources are sorted by intended audience, but most are appropriate for multiple groups.
7
Resources for the Public
8
Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunitiesHopewell, J.; Dvorak, R.; Kosior, E.Eco Products Agency, Nextek Ltd2009-07-29XXXThis paper is a readable introduction to the benefits and challenges of plastics recycling, with an emphasis on Europe and the UK. They "review current systems and technology for plastics recycling, life-cycle evidence for the eco-efficiency of plastics recycling, and briefly consider related economic and public interest issues." This review compares the environmental impact (water, energy, and CO2 emissions) of producing 6 plastics from virgin feedstocks vs. recycled plastics, and finds that recycling is environmentally beneficial for every class of plastic. The authors explain how a transition to less film-based packaging would improve recycling rates (films are not compatible with most current processes), and discuss the benefits of limiting the total set of allowed plastics to PET, HDPE and PP, without clear PVC or PS.
9
The Behavioral Economics of RecyclingTrudel, R.Author is a professor at Boston University; article was published by the Harvard Business Review2016-10-07XXXThe author seeks to uncover external factors that predict whether someone will recycle a given product.This write-up summarizes two peer-reviewed papers on this topic ("The Effect of Product Size and Form Distortion on Consumer Recycling Behavior" and "The Recycled Self: Consumers’ Disposal Decisions of Identity-Linked Products"). The author finds three factors that affect a consumer's decision to recycle. First, people are most likely to recycle items that haven't been distorted or degraded in some way. Second, people are more likely to recycle items linked to their identity (their name, for example). Finally, people who know they will be able to recycle are more wasteful when using resources.
10
Californians against wasteNot SpecifiedCalifornians Against Waste2018-06-16XXThis organization seeks to promote waste education and awareness in California, and discusses how to make better recycling policiesThe resources provided by this group include news articles, legislation, and issues analysis for Californians
11
Life cycle assessment of supermarket carrier bags: a review of the bags available in 2006Edwards, C.; Meyhoff Fry, J.UK Environment Agency2011-02XXXThe goal of this study was to understand the implications of replacing conventional HDPE plastic bags with alternatives (i.e., compostable starch, paper, LDPE, synthetic or cotton tote bags). Impact of such a switch was quantified by global warming potential (roughly, GHG emissions per bag over its entire life cycle), as well as by various health and ecotoxicity effects.To reduce global warming potential to that of a single-use HDPE bag (not recycled or reused in any way), a paper bag must be reused 3 times; a LDPE bag, 4 times; a synthetic tote bag, 11 times; and a cotton bag, 131 times. These figures increase by about a factor of 2.5 if 40% of HDPE bags on average are reused once as trash can liners.This analysis complements some of the findings in the 2016 Trucost report, for a more specific use case.
12
Resources for Policymakers
13
Plastics and Sustainability: A Valuation of Environmental Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities for Continuous ImprovementLord, R.American Chemical Society, Trucost2016-07-26XXThis study uses Trucost’s natural capital valuation framework to value the environmental costs of plastic and its alternatives, and consider how more sustainable practices could help reduce the environmental costs of plastic use in the consumer products sector.The environmental cost of plastic in consumer goods is 3.8 times less than of the alternative materials that would be needed to replace plastic. Production of plastic materials and their transport are the largest sources of environmental costs. Moving to a more circular economy can reduce the environmental costs of plastics. Capturing plastic waste before it reaches the ocean could cut ocean-related costs by over $2.1 billion. Plastics can enable significant environmental benefits in the use phase. The environmental advantages of plastics are not equal across consumer product sectors.
14
Stop Marine Debris at the SourceNot SpecifiedProduct Stewardship Institute2018-05-15XPSI is a national nonprofit organization which works to "minimize the health, safety, and environmental impacts that result when hazardous and hard-to-recycle consumer products and packaging enter the waste stream." This resource offers sample policies for governments on the local- to state-level for the banning or restriction of plastic and other hard-to-recycle waste.These policies target specific items such as plastic straws, styrofoam food containers, and balloons. In cases where a complete ban may not be feasible, a fee may be placed on disposable items
15
Single Use PlasticsGiacovelli, C.; et al.United Nations Environment Programme2018XXXLearning from the experience of countries that have introduced bans and regulations on single-use plastics, this assessment analyses what has worked well, what hasn’t, and why. The report is therefore a tool for policymakers who intend to introduce measures to regulate the production and use of disposable plasticsThe report offers information, examples, and lessons from various parts of the world to show the importance of recycling plastics. The UNEP emphasizes circular thinking and waste management systems to handle the problem of plastic waste. In addition, they present a 10-step roadmap for policymakers to follow when considering a ban or levy related to plastic waste. The roadmap covers policy considerations from initial assessment to targeting a specific problem through proper enforcement of the act.
16
Legal limits on single-use plastics and microplasticsExcell, C.; Salcedo-La Viña, C.; Worker, J.; Moses, EUnited Nations Environment Programme2018XXThis report seeks to provide a comprehensive review of all nations that have enacted policy to regulate single-use plastics and microplastics.Of 192 countries sampled, 127 have national policies to regulate single-use plastics, most of which regulate single-use plastic bags. Most of these policies involve a ban on thin single-use plastic bags, while significantly fewer consider the entire life cycle or motivate alternatives. Recently, however, there has been an increase in policies that include extended producer responsibility and taxes or other economic incentives to replace plastics with biodegradable alternatives.
17
Resources for Businesses
18
Valuing Plastic ReportRaynaud, J.United Nations Environment Programme, Trucost2014-06-27XRather than relying on moral reasoning, this report makes purely economical arguments. The authors motivate responsible plastic use by claiming companies will benefit financially. The report also calls for private companies to share their plastic use data."The emphasis should not be on systematically moving away from plastic but rather in using it in an efficient and environmentally- sustainable way." Companies often don't disclose data on their plastic use. Disclosure is important for reassuring stakeholders and adding credibility to a company's sustainability commitment. The report offers a "Roadmap for Plastic Footprint Management", and also has guidelines for collaboration with various bodies (government, investors, researchers, reporters, suppliers).
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100