Rethinking global governance of plastics - The role of industry

Authors

Karen Raubenheimer, University of WollongongFollow
Niko Urho

RIS ID

140707

Publication Details

K. Raubenheimer & N. Urho, 'Rethinking global governance of plastics - The role of industry' (2020) 113 Marine Policy

Abstract

2019 Options for addressing plastic pollution at the global level have been a topic of discussion in many international fora with some countries voicing support for a new global agreement. Traditional approaches have been used to describe such an agreement in the context of preventing marine litter, but do not discuss in detail the financial mechanisms possible for funding national implementation and, in particular, sustainable waste management. We conceptualise a global extended producer responsibility scheme (global EPR scheme) as a core component of an envisaged new global agreement to reduce residual plastic waste. The global EPR scheme is implemented through global design standards and the development of voluntary National Finance Plans. The Polluter Pays Principle is thereby applied to the management of plastic pollution at the global level.