The report ‘Addressing Single-use plastic products pollution, using a life cycle approach’ has been released by UNEP, just ahead of UNEA5.
The report summarizes the key conclusions on the environmental performance of eight 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.
A critical finding is that “single-use” is more problematic than “plastic”, with the most sustainable products being reusables. Therefore, Member States are encouraged to promote actions that lead to keeping resources at their highest value, by replacing single-use plastic products with reusable products.
The development of this report was supported through a series of webinars hosted by UNEP and a number of LCA meta-studies assessing different product types and their alternatives, undertaken by the Life Cycle Initiative.
This event responds to Resolution UNEP/EA.4/R.9 on “Addressing Single-use plastic products pollution”. The report launch took place on 19 February 2021, as part of a UNEA5 side event co-hosted by the European Commission, India and UNEP . The recording and slides presented during the launch can be found here.
BACKGROUND
Single-use plastic products (SUPP) pollution is a serious issue that needs urgent and sustained attention at all levels of society. This report aids policymaking on single-use plastic products using LCA as a tool to complement evidence-based decision-making.
This report responds to resolution 9 of the 4th UN Environment Assembly (UNEP/EA.4/R.9), which requested UN Environment Programme to make available information on action already taken by Member States to address plastic pollution. In addition, the life cycle environmental impacts of single-use plastic products compared to their alternatives were also requested to be shared in advance of the fifth session of the Environment Assembly.
