This report summarizes the key conclusions on the environmental performance of 8 different single-use plastic products compared to their alternatives. It also includes an overview of policy actions and instruments that many member states have utilized in addressing single-use plastic products (SUPP) pollution. Further, to understand the national-level actions implemented to tackle SUPP pollution, the report delves deep into case studies from 10 countries.

Key insights:

• Policymakers should consider 10 factors when using LCA to inform policymaking on single-use plastic products and their alternatives. These are: the promotion of multiple use, sources of information, context-specific data & information; functional differences; production, technological maturity, end of life practices, future changes, trade-offs & burden-shifting, and design.
• To achieve a reduction in plastics pollution, governing authorities can use command and control instruments, such as bans and extended producer responsibility schemes; market-based instruments such as subsidy and pay as you throw schemes; and information and voluntary instruments, such as industry best practice guidance and voluntary labelling.