Logo

Plastic Use in the Focus of Political Decisions

ალადაშვილი.png
Gela Aladashvili

PhD in Economics, Professor, at Georgian International University

Abstract

Plastic consumption is rapidly increasing globally, particularly in the single-use sector, causing significant environmental and climate issues. Plastic waste accumulates in landfills, contributing to carbon emissions and exacerbating climate change. Inefficient waste management leads to the pollution of oceans, rivers, and ecosystems, posing a threat to biodiversity and public health. This article analyzes policy measures, including demand reduction, product design improvements, increased recycling, spill prevention, and clean-up initiatives. Effective policies require clear institutional and regulatory frameworks, financial support, technological development, and public awareness of plastic waste management and recycling. The success of this complex policy depends on the active engagement of stakeholders, who, considering contextual factors, are crucial in addressing the global plastic crisis and promoting sustainable development.

Keywords: Plastics, Waste Management, Plastics Policy.

References

  1. Global Plastics Production Projections, 1950 to 2060,https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/global-plastic-production-projections
  2. Geyer R., Jambeck R. J., Lavender K. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made.Sci. Adv.3, e1700782. DOI:10.1126/sciadv.1700782.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1700782
  3. Global Plastics Waste, Including Projections, Projections of Plastic Waste by Disposal Method https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/projections-plastic-by-disposal-method?tab=table&time=earliest..2060
  4. OECD (2022). Global Plastics Outlook. Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/de747aef-en.pdf?expires=1733589831&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=A313E3289D1B0B17BFAA00664A754C2C
  5. United Nations Environment Programme information,https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/
  6. Sources of plastic waste generation, including projections, 2019-2060.https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339200/global-plastic-waste-generation-outlook-by-application/
  7. Global Plastics Outlook. Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/global-plastics-outlook_de747aef-en
  8. Gabisa, E. W., Ratanatamskul, C., & Gheewala, S. H. (2023). Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion. Sustainability, 15(15), 11529. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511529
  9. European Commission (2020). Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Retrieved from [EU Commission Website]. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en).
  10. OECD (2022). Taxing Plastic: The Effectiveness of Plastic Packaging Taxation. OECD Economic Policy Papers, 16(3), 45-60.).
  11. HM Treasury (2022). Plastic Packaging Tax: Policy Paper. Government of the United Kingdom. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/117/contents).
  12. Resolution of the Government of Georgia #472 - On Approval of Technical Regulations - Plastic and Biodegradable Packaging Regulation.https://www.matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4325640?publication=0
  13. Environmental Supervision Department conducts large-scale inspections of packaging manufacturing companies https://des.gov.ge/Ge/News/Details/10740
  14. UNEP (2018). SINGLE-USE PLASTICS: A Roadmap for Sustainability. file:///C:/Users/595-424-424%20Temo/Downloads/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf
  15. European Commission. (2019). Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.
  16. OECD (2022). Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts, and Policy Options. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/de747aef-en.pdf?expires=1733589831&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=A313E3289D1B0B17BFAA00664A754C2C
  17. Thailand leading in global awareness of plastic waste https://www.eng.rmutt.ac.th/thailand-leading-in-global-awareness-of-plastic-waste-now-accounting-for-18-overall/ ).
  18. Caterina Picuno, Spyridoula Gerassimidou, Weimu You, Olwenn Martin, Eleni Iacovidou, The potential of Deposit Refund Systems in closing the plastic beverage bottle loop: A review,Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 212, 2024.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344924005536 ).
  19. European Commission (2020). Circular Economy Action Plan: For a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe. European Union. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en ).
  20. Ecodesign for sustainable products, 2022. EU parliament,https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2022/733524/EPRS_BRI(2022)733524_EN.pdf
  21. Ministry for the Ecological Transition (2021). Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging in France. French Government.https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/documents/FREC%20-%20EN.pdf
  22. UNEP. (2021). Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments.https://www.basel.int/implementation/plasticwaste/plasticwasteamendments/faqs/tabid/8427/default.aspx#:~:text =As%20of%201%20January%202021%2C%20the%20new%20plastic%20waste%20entries,subject%20to%20the%20PIC%20procedure
  23. Binoy Sarkar, Pavani Dulanja Dissanayake, Nanthi S. Bolan, Jaffer Yousuf Dar, Manish Kumar, Md Niamul Haque, Raj Mukhopadhyay, Sammani Ramanayaka, Jayanta Kumar Biswas, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Jörg Rinklebe, Yong Sik Ok, Challenges and opportunities in sustainable management of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, Environmental Research, Volume 207, 2022.
  24. Recycle Now, 2020.https://www.greenplanetenvironmental.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx9q6BhCDARIsACwUxu5rOb3XXvZ6dd6GU7sZXLJyKWk-EODeBF7UbyHtvh-WJz9Wd_EcfcMaAidaEALw_wcB
  25. Global Plastics Outlook. Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options. OECD, 2022.

The New Economist, N 4 (2024), Vol. 19, Issue 3

axali ekonomisti 4-2024 kda.jpg
Published Date:

14/01/2025