UNEP would like to thank the World Resources Institute, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University and the University of Strathclyde for their invaluable assistance with the collation of these laws, as well as its long-standing partner FAOLEX.

 

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Regulatory Approach

  • Bans and restrictions
  • Economic instruments (taxes, levies, subsidies)
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  • Product standards, certification and labelling requirements
  • Waste management legislation
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Year

Law and Plastics Taxonomy

  • Compliance and enforcement (188)
    • Enforcement (180)
    • Verification of compliance (29)
  • Emissions and releases (72)
    • Impacts (7)
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      • Synthetic polymers (88)
        • Polyethylene terephthalate (27)
        • Polyolefins (53)
          • Polyethylene (33)
          • Polypropylene (36)
        • Polystyrene (60)
          • Styrofoam (2)
        • Polyvinyl chloride (4)
    • Plastics (4)
  • Plastics types (25)
    • Bioplastics (3)
    • Oxo-degradable plastics (23)
    • Thermoplastics (2)
  • Policy approaches (247)
    • Circular economy (26)
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      • Deposit-refund schemes (24)
      • Fines (28)
      • Fiscal incentives (24)
        • Subsidies (1)
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        • Levies (43)
    • Extended Producer Responsibility (70)
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      • Life-cycle assessment (8)
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    • Product bans (75)
      • Plastic bag bans (2)
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  • Problematic and avoidable plastic products (292)
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      • Plastic packaging (262)
        • Plastic carrier bags (195)
          • Lightweight plastic carrier bags (8)
          • Very lightweight plastic carrier bags (39)
        • Plastic containers (5)
          • Plastic beverage containers (4)
          • Plastic food containers (1)
        • Plastic sheets (1)
        • Recyclable packaging (57)
        • Reusable packaging (45)
      • Single-use plastic products (112)
        • Disposable cups (1)
        • Personal protective equipment (2)
        • Plastic straws (12)
        • Plastic utensils (2)
  • Product design, composition and performance (177)
    • Alternative plastics and plastic products (109)
      • Bio-based plastics (1)
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        • Compostable plastics (53)
    • Product design and performance (81)
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      • Product design standards (13)
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      • Polymer degradation (1)
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        • Recycling (87)
Showing 31 - 40 of 139 results
Regulation
| 2019 |
Seychelles
Environment Protection (Restriction on the manufacturing, importation, distribution and sale of Plastic Straws) Regulation, 2019 (S.I. No. 31 of 2019).

These Regulations, made under the Environment Protection, 2016 by the Minister responsible for Environment, prohibit the manufacturing, importation, distribution and sale of plastic straws for use within the Republic of Seychelles but allows import permits to be issued for non-plastic straws by the Ministry responsible for Finance and Trade subject to the approval of the Ministry responsible for...

Keywords
Biodegradable plastics, Certification, Compostable plastics, Extended Producer Responsibility, Plastic polymers, Plastic straws, Product bans, Waste management, Waste prevention
Legislation
| 2019 |
Portugal
Law No. 77/2019 providing for alternatives to the use of ultralight plastic bags and plastic containers used for bread, fruit and vegetable.

This Law provides for alternatives to the use of ultralight plastic bags and plastic containers used for bread, fruit and vegetable. This Law requires to make available alternatives to consumers instead of ultralight plastic bags and plastic containers used for bread, fruits and vegetables. This Law applies to all shops selling bread, fruits and vegetables. Commercial establishments are prevented...

Keywords
Alternative plastics and plastic products, Plastic carrier bags, Plastic polymers, Product bans, Stakeholder engagement, Very lightweight plastic carrier bags
Legislation
| 2019 |
Saint Lucia
Styrofoam and Plastic Food Service Containers (Prohibition) Act No. 22 of 2019.

This Act lays down rules for the prohibition on import of styrofoam and plastic food service containers, prohibition on manufacturing, sale, use or distribution of styrofoam and plastic food service containers, and prohibition on sale of food in styrofoam and plastic food service containers. This Act shall not apply to a disposable plastic beverage container; packaged food with styrofoam and...

Keywords
Disposable cups, Eco-design , Enforcement, Plastic straws, Plastic utensils, Polystyrene, Product bans, Product design standards, Verification of compliance, Waste disposal, Waste prevention, Styrofoam, Plastic food containers, Single-use plastic products, Plastic carrier bags, Plastic beverage containers, Fines, Thermoplastics, Waste
Legislation
| 2019 |
Colombia
Ley Nº 1973 - Ley por medio de la cual se regula y prohíbe el ingreso, comercialización y uso de bolsas y otros materiales plásticos en el Departamento Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina e Islas Menores que lo componen.

La presente Ley tiene por objeto establecer medidas de reducción del impacto ambiental producido por el ingreso, comercialización y uso de algunos materiales plásticos en el Departamento Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina. La presente Ley prohíbe el ingreso, comercialización o uso de bolsas plásticas que se utilizan para la disposición y transporte de objetos y mercancías en...

Keywords
Biodegradable plastics, Compostable plastics, Enforcement, Plastic carrier bags, Plastic polymers, Plastic waste, Very lightweight plastic carrier bags
Legislation
| 2019 |
United States of America
Recycling and Reduction of Litter (Alaska Statutes: Title 46 Water, Air, Energy, and Environmental Conservation; Chapter 06)

This chapter of the Alaska Statutes provides for recycling and reduction of litter. The chapter provides that the Department of Environmental Conservation of Alaska (1) serves as the coordinating agency among public and private organizations in the state that are involved in the control, reduction, and recycling of litter; (2) assists local governments in the adoption and amendment of ordinances...

Keywords
Enforcement, Hazardous waste, Plastic waste, Polyethylene, Polyethylene terephthalate, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Waste management hierarchy
Legislation
| 2019 |
Costa Rica
Ley Nº 9703 - Ley para la Prohibición del Poliestireno Expandido.

La presente Ley para la Prohibición del Poliestireno Expandido, modifica la Ley de gestión integral de residuos, en el sentido de adicionar el Artículo 42 bis, que prohíbe la importación al territorio nacional, la comercialización y la entrega de envases y recipientes de poliestireno expandido en cualquier establecimiento comercial. Se exceptúan de esta prohibición: a) Los casos en los que por...

Keywords
Extended Producer Responsibility, Plastic waste, Polystyrene, Waste management hierarchy