Publication: Tackling Plastics Pollution: Towards Experience-Based Policy Guidance
Loading...
Published
2023-10-12
ISSN
Date
2023-10-12
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
The growth and impacts of plastic pollution have emerged as a major environmental challenge globally. Plastic pollution has a wide range of impacts on public health, ecosystems, biodiversity, and economies and can occur during each stage of the plastic lifecycle, from extraction of raw materials, production and use through to end-of-life. Many countries have started to implement policies to manage plastic pollution and its impact, but as yet there is little evidence about their effectiveness or guidance on their application. The purpose of this report is to review the experiences and lessons learned from the development and implementation of policies to manage plastic pollution and provide evidence-based policy guidance. The structure of this report is as follows. Following the Introduction, Chapter 2 provides an overview of plastics and their uses and impacts, entry points for plastic pollution control, and the basics of plastics policies. Chapter 3 examines the experience and lessons learned from policy making and implementation in the set of country case studies, supplemented by information from relevant literature. It identifies what policy aspects have worked and which were less effective or missing across the design, implementation, enforcement, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of policies. Chapter 4 summarizes key issues regarding plastics policies and concludes with considerations for the guidance of a successful policy design and implementation process to manage plastic pollution.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank. 2023. Tackling Plastics Pollution: Towards Experience-Based Policy Guidance. Pathways Out of Plastic Pollution Series; Technical Report. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/40458 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
Digital Object Identifier
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication The Circular Plastics Economy in Mozambique(Washington, DC, 2021)The World Bank Group developed the Mozambique problue program (MozAzul) to provide comprehensive technical assistance to the Government of Mozambique on the blue economy agenda. The objective of the MozAzul program is to strengthen the knowledge base on the sustainable blue economy development in Mozambique, and under pillar 2, specifically on marine litter. This study is intended to inform the government’s upcoming national action plan to combat marine litter as well as intensify engagement with stakeholders, including innovators and around new business models. It is mainly concerned with assessing the circular economy opportunities in Mozambique as they relate to marine plastics litter. The assignment forming the basis of this study has set its parameters on the upstream (pre-waste) opportunities for plastics circularity, leveraging the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ReSOLVE framework to map out the various levers that organizations may employ in their transition towards improved material efficiency. The methodology leverages extensive desk research, the collection of primary data through interviews with relevant stakeholders located in Mozambique, and interviews with key stakeholders who can provide insight on the circular opportunities and existing business models practiced in Mozambique. The methodology also leverages real-time findings concurrently being developed by local and international experts, and organizations conducting parallel studies (i.e. IUCN). As of the writing of this report, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to hamper Mozambique’s economy and health sectors. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, this report is decidedly both more thorough in explaining the new concepts and approaches leading to the explanation of circular economy opportunities in Mozambique, and simultaneously less reliant on local stakeholder interviews than initially intended.Publication Plastic Pollution in Coastal West Africa - Synthesis(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-07-12)Plastic pollution is a worldwide environmental challenge. In coastal West Africa, about 80 percent of plastic waste is mismanaged, posing escalating challenges to people, the economy, and the coastal and marine environment. This Synthesis Paper was prepared to inform decision-makers from the region about the challenges of plastic pollution and to convey the urgent need for action.Publication The Economics of Plastic Use and Cleanup Priorities for West African Coastal Countries(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-07-12)Rapidly growing, unregulated plastic litter has created a multitude of environmental and economic problems worldwide. With an estimated lifetime of centuries, plastic waste has become a major stressor in marine ecosystems. In West Africa, the use of plastic products has proliferated with urbanization, and their unregulated disposal has created a host of terrestrial and marine-related environmental problems. This study aims to help decision-makers better understand the economics of marine plastic-waste generation and its cleanup, with a focus on West African coastal countries. To aid the policy process to reduce marine plastic pollution, it addresses the following key questions: • What is the economic cost to society of marine plastic waste? • How does this cost compare with the pollution mitigation cost, using various incentive-based, command-and control approaches for pollution prevention and the cost of plastic waste removal through cleaning, recycling, and safe disposal? • Would general economic measures (for example, tariffs on imported polyethylene) significantly reduce pollution from single-use plastics? • Are there trade-offs between plastic pollution prevention and any other social objectives related to policymaking? How should cost-effective cleanups be implemented?Publication Technologies and Solutions to Manage Plastic Waste in Small and Remote Islands(Washington, DC, 2022)The rising production and consumption of plastic combined with mismanagement of plastic waste is leading to significant pollution of marine and coastal areas. Addressing plastic waste on islands is crucial because of their roles as both receptors and contributors. While there is no single solution to turn the tide on plastic pollution for small and remote islands, a combination of technologies and other upstream and downstream solutions can help these communities effectively manage plastic waste, safeguarding their valuable ecosystems and livelihoods. New innovative technologies to treat plastic waste only work effectively in specific island contexts with viability impacted by many different aspects including the volumes and type of plastic waste, existing solid waste management systems, infrastructure, and community awareness. In addition to treatment technologies, other solutions need to be considered such as reducing the plastic input to islands upstream, before it becomes plastic waste, as well as sorting and then transporting plastic waste to a viable recycling market. This study combines a global assessment of plastic waste management on islands with a review of existing technologies and their viability in island contexts to develop the Technology Options for Plastic waste for Island Contexts (TOPIC) Toolbox which was then piloted on five islands in Malaysia. The TOPIC Toolbox supports island decision-makers in identifying technologies and a potential mix of technologies and other solutions to treat plastic waste for their island.Publication Plastic Waste Discharges from Rivers and Coastlines in Indonesia(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2021-05-18)In 2015, a global study estimating inputs of plastic waste into the oceans ranked Indonesia as the second largest contributor to plastic marine pollution. In 2017, another study ranked four Indonesian rivers in the world’s most polluting top 20. The challenge of plastic waste and marine debris requires a robust national response to curb the significant impacts on Indonesian marine biodiversity, its communities and its economy. The Government of Indonesia (GoI) has signaled its leadership on combating plastic waste and marine debris - making strong commitments and setting ambitious targets to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management. As the GoI implements this agenda, it is imperative we better understand the current state of this challenge. In this study, we provide the first Indonesia-wide assessment integrating local waste data with actual hydrological conditions to tell the story of how local practices contribute to marine plastic pollution.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Global Economic Prospects, June 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10)The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.Publication Business Ready 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03)Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.Publication World Bank Annual Report 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-25)This annual report, which covers the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, has been prepared by the Executive Directors of both the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA)—collectively known as the World Bank—in accordance with the respective bylaws of the two institutions. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, has submitted this report, together with the accompanying administrative budgets and audited financial statements, to the Board of Governors.Publication Mobility and Development Periodical, Fall 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-01)The fourth edition of the Mobility and Development periodical presents nine stories of how countries have evolved transport sector innovations, policy reform, and technical solutions to improve the quality of life. Opening with big data readiness for urban transport in Latin America, the narrative zooms out to present the potential of drones in the region. After unpacking the fiscal risks of the transport sector, experts unpack pressing urban mobility challenges. Dhaka offers an example of how critical governance can help metropolitan transit agencies deliver value. Keeping inclusion in focus, the next article shows how effective public transportation can boost economic opportunities for women in Middle East and North Africa. Moving to the Europe and Central Asia region offers a perspective of how improved roads influence jobs in rural Armenia. Travelling to Pakistan, authors discuss how to accelerate electric mobility adoption. The final article shows how an economic corridor approach to harness lithium could transform Argentina’s northwest.Publication Classroom Assessment to Support Foundational Literacy(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-03-21)This document focuses primarily on how classroom assessment activities can measure students’ literacy skills as they progress along a learning trajectory towards reading fluently and with comprehension by the end of primary school grades. The document addresses considerations regarding the design and implementation of early grade reading classroom assessment, provides examples of assessment activities from a variety of countries and contexts, and discusses the importance of incorporating classroom assessment practices into teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers. The structure of the document is as follows. The first section presents definitions and addresses basic questions on classroom assessment. Section 2 covers the intersection between assessment and early grade reading by discussing how learning assessment can measure early grade reading skills following the reading learning trajectory. Section 3 compares some of the most common early grade literacy assessment tools with respect to the early grade reading skills and developmental phases. Section 4 of the document addresses teacher training considerations in developing, scoring, and using early grade reading assessment. Additional issues in assessing reading skills in the classroom and using assessment results to improve teaching and learning are reviewed in section 5. Throughout the document, country cases are presented to demonstrate how assessment activities can be implemented in the classroom in different contexts.