On October 16, 2023, civil society organization Plastic Pollution Coalition launched the Global Plastics Laws Database with the goal to support organizations and individuals in the fight against plastic pollution worldwide. Developed in partnership with Break Free From Plastic Europe, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and Surfrider U.S., the database aggregates information on plastics-related policies from 115 countries (out of a total of approximately 195), representing a significant portion of the global population.
According to Plastic Pollution Coalition, the new database can cater to the needs of a diverse array of users from a variety of backgrounds “to research, track, and visualize plastic legislation that has been passed around the world.“ Policies are organized into nine different categories according to the entire lifecycle of plastics and key topics: Design and Reuse, Extended Producer Responsibility, Maritime Sources, Microplastics, Production and Manufacturing, Reduction, Transparency and Traceability, Waste Management, and Waste Trade.
The tool is delivered in anticipation of the upcoming UN Plastics Treaty negotiations, INC-3, set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 13 – 19, 2023. In September 2023, the United Nations unveiled the ‘Zero Draft’ of the Plastics Treaty (FPF reported ), a starting point for discussion and amendments ahead of November’s meeting.
Reference
Plastic Pollution Coalition (October 16, 2023) “The Global Plastic Laws Database: A Resource to Track Policies Around the World.”
