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PLASTIC DATA CHECKLIST (Physical Flows)
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Data CategoryRationale/ ObjectivePotential Sources of Data Data Availability Reliability1Notes
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YesPartiallyNoHighMediumLow
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PRODUCTION
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Domestic primary plastics    Data on the primary plastics produced within a countryUnderstand supply side of plastics life cycle Establish baseline for primary plastic entering the economyIndustrial reports
National surveys
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Domestic plastics products   Data on the production of plastic products manufactured within a countryUnderstand conversion of primary plastics into products Track domestic plastic product manufacturingNational production surveys
Industrial manufacturing reports
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CONSUMPTION2
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Primary plastics consumed (virgin)  Data on the consumption of virgin primary plastics by various sectors within a country Gain insights into demand for new plastics Identify areas of significant plastic useIndustry sales data
National consumption surveys
Extended producer responsibility reports
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Plastics consumed (recycled)   Data on the consumption of recycled plastics by different sectorsAssess effectiveness of recycling programs Evaluate progress towards circular economyReports from recycling facilities
Industry associations
Government recycling statistics
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TRADE (IMPORT & EXPORT)
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Import primary plastics   Data on primary plastics imported into a country Analyse dependency on foreign plastic raw materials Assess impact on supply chain Customs records
The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics (UN Comtrade) Database 
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Export primary plastics Data on primary plastics exported from a countryUnderstand country's role in global plastic supply chain Evaluate contribution to global plastic distributionCustoms records
UN Comtrade database
Industry reports
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Import plastic products  Data on plastic products imported into a countryTrack flow of plastic goods into the economy Assess demand for foreign-made plastic productsCustoms records
Trade databases
National statistics offices
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Export plastic products  Data on plastic products exported from a country Analyse country's plastic product market Evaluate impact on global tradeCustoms records
Trade databases
Industry reports
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PLASTIC WASTE
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Plastic waste generated Data on the total amount of plastic waste generated within a countryUnderstand scale of plastic waste Plan waste management strategiesWaste management companies Municipal waste records
National waste statistics
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PLASTIC WASTE TREATMENT
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Plastic waste collected    Data on the amount of plastic waste collected for managementTrack efficiency of waste collection systems Evaluate coverage of waste collectionMunicipal waste management records Waste collection companies
National waste statistics
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Plastic waste recovered for recycling/upcycling 
Data on the volume of plastic waste recovered for recycling or upcycling		Measure effectiveness of recycling initiatives Assess extent of circular economy practicesRecycling facilities
Industry reports
Government recycling programs
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Waste to Energy/Co-processing   Data on the amount of plastic waste used for energy recovery or co-processingEvaluate utilization of plastic waste as energy resource Assess role in waste management strategiesWaste-to-energy plants
Industry reports
Government energy departments
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Plastic waste incinerated (without energy recovery)
Data on the volume of plastic waste incinerated without energy recovery		Assess environmental impact of waste incineration Evaluate loss of potential energy resourcesIncineration facilities
Municipal waste records
National waste statistics
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Plastic waste landfilled Data on the amount of plastic waste disposed of in landfillsAnalyze landfill usage for plastic waste Assess long-term environmental impact of plastic waste disposalLandfill records
Municipal waste management records National waste statistics
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PLASTIC WASTE TRADE
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Plastic waste import   Data on plastic waste imported into a countryUnderstand international flow of plastic waste Assess management of imported wasteCustoms records
Trade databases
National statistical offices
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Plastic waste export   Data on plastic waste exported from a countryAnalyse country's role in global plastic waste management Evaluate impact on international waste flowsCustoms records
Trade databases
Industry reports 
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LEAKAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT
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Plastics in the environment   Data on the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the environment, including land, water bodies, and coastal areasAssess environmental impact of plastic pollution Develop mitigation strategiesEnvironmental monitoring programs Scientific studies
Reports from environmental NGOs
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OTHER WASTE COLLECTION AND HANDLING
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Informal waste collection and handling  Data on plastic waste managed through informal sector activitiesUnderstand scale of informal waste management activities Assess impact on environment and formal waste managementField surveys
Reports from environmental NGOs Studies on informal waste sectors
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Illegal waste collection and handling  Data on plastic waste collected and disposed of through illegal channelsUnderstand scale of illegal waste activities Assess impact on environment and formal/ informal waste managementField surveys
Reports from environmental NGOs Reports from legal authorities
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ACTIVITIES AT THE SOURCE
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Managed at the source (Reuse, Upcycling etc.)  Data on plastic waste managed through other activities at the source Analyse waste management activities at the source Evaluate effectiveness of local waste reduction effortsField data
Citizen science reports
Reports from environmental organisations. 
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Mismanagement at the source
Data on plastic waste mismanaged at the source through Burning, burying, open dumping within premises etc.		Understand scale of unacceptable waste management activities Assess impact on local environment and healthField data
Citizen science reports
Reports from environmental organisations. 
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Note 1: To be determined by relevant experts and the country context.
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Note 2: Market sector
1 Packaging
2 Transportation
3 Building and Construction
4 Electrical/ Electronic
5 Consumer & Institutional Products
6 Industrial Machinery
7 Textiles
8 Other
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