carriers, combined with awareness campaigns, has
dramatically reduced their use. This discovery is
invaluable for decision-makers as it underscores
the necessity for multi-faceted strategies that
integrate not just restrictions but also incentives
and public information to shift consumer habits.
Discrepancies and Prospects:
The research underscores a disparity in policy
implementation across various economic strata and
regions. Particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, nations
with lower income brackets have been at the
forefront of adopting prohibitions, taxes, or fees on
plastic carriers. This positive trend indicates that
policy innovation is not limited by economic
capability. Nonetheless, the study also points to a
policy void in some of the nations most plagued by
mismanaged plastic waste, highlighting a prime
area for policy engagement and global assistance.
The study's final thoughts acknowledge the increase
in policy efforts against plastic waste yet emphasize
an ongoing necessity for more all-encompassing,
integrated, and enforceable policies. The
conclusions beckon for a united international
commitment to set definitive agreements with
explicit goals, an orchestrated array of policy
instruments attuned to both national and local
circumstances, and a pledge to continuous research
and policy refinement to ensure their efficacy in an
ever-evolving environmental and economic
domain.
V. Policy Options or
Recommendations
The outcomes of the recent study stress the
necessity for an integrated and dynamic policy
strategy to adequately confront the intricate
problem of plastic contamination. Drawing from
the assessment of governmental strategies over the
last twenty years, a set of strategic
recommendations is put forth to intensify the
international endeavors to mitigate plastic
contamination:
Crafting Globally Binding Protocols:
A principal suggestion involves formulating a
universally binding accord on plastic
contamination. Such a protocol would articulate
clear, quantifiable, and timed objectives to
minimize plastic debris, standardize criteria
BELBES, ELEJAH SHEM F. FRIAS, JANINE PALOSO, CRYSTEL MAE G.
for the manufacturing and use of plastics, and boost
technological and monetary assistance to
economies in development. This worldwide pact
would guarantee a unified strategy and pledge from
all countries to tackle the cross-border challenge of
plastic pollution.
Supporting Subnational Policy Experimentation:
Local governments, including states and
municipalities, should be encouraged to experiment
with policy initiatives addressing plastic pollution.
Subnational policies customized to local
circumstances can trial novel approaches that, upon
proving successful, could be implemented on a
larger scale or modified for use in other areas.
Considering Plastics' Full Lifecycle:
Strategies should consider the complete lifecycle of
plastic goods, from design and production to end-
of-life management. Addressing the full lifecycle
will help lessen the total environmental impact of
plastics and encourage a transition to a more
sustainable, circular economy.
Ensuring Fairness and Inclusion:
Strategies must be fair and inclusive, guaranteeing
that the repercussions of plastic contamination and
the costs associated with mitigation measures do
not disproportionately impact disadvantaged
communities. Policy designers should actively
engage with these groups and contemplate the
social dimension of plastic pollution strategies.
These strategies are intended to enhance the
progress made in the previous two decades and
instigate a more efficient and thorough worldwide
reaction to the plastic pollution crisis. By adopting
a governance model that operates at multiple levels
and by fostering innovation, cooperation, and
inclusivity, it is possible to diminish the
environmental and health impacts of plastic
contamination.
References:
Karasik, R., Vegh, T., Diana, Z., Bering, J., Caldas, J., Pickle, A.,
Rittschof, D., & Virdin, J. (2020). 20 Years of Government
Responses to the Global Plastic Pollution Problem: The
Plastics Policy Inventory. Duke University. Nicholas
Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.
https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/public
ations/20-Years-of-Government-Responses-to-the-
Global-Plastic-Pollution-Problem-New_1.pdf
Parker, L. (2019). The world's plastic pollution crisis explained.
National Geographic.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/
plastic-pollution
Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., & Roser, M. (2023). Plastic Pollution.
Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from:
https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution.
  Compiling the Plastics Policy Inventory:
Building on the library, a comprehensive
Plastics Policy Inventory was compiled,
cataloging 291 definitive policy documents
along with 370 auxiliary documents,
presenting a framework for evaluating the
breadth and detail of responses to plastic
waste issues.
RESEARCH RESULT
The findings deliver a sweeping depiction of two
decades of combat against plastic waste. The
analysis identifies several vital patterns:
 Surge in Legislative Actions: The research
underscores a growing thrust of legislative
initiatives, particularly in the recent decade,
reflective of heightened awareness of and
engagement with the issue.
 Evolution of Policy Emphasis: An
observed evolution shows a pivot from
maritime-focused measures to integrated
strategies encompassing land-derived
waste, utilizing obligatory and voluntary
measures.
 Regional Inequality in Actions: The data
points to imbalances in legislative activity,
with certain regions pioneering and others
with considerable plastic mismanagement
lagging, indicating a gap for directed
strategic initiatives.
 Multiplicity of Regulatory Tools: Beyond
prevalent bans on single-use plastic items,
such as bags, the study notices the
application of varied tools, including
taxation, surcharges, and incentives to
encourage responsible plastic use and foster
recycling endeavors.
This summary underlines the research's
comprehensive scope and meticulous approach,
highlighting the robust data compilation process
and the pivotal discoveries made, laying a solid
foundation for future policy-making in plastic
waste management.
BELBES, ELEJAH SHEM F. FRIAS, JANINE PALOSO, CRYSTEL MAE G.
IV. Discussions and analysis of
research findings
The research conducted by the Nicholas Institute
for Environmental Policy Solutions has provided a
pivotal review of how the international community
is contending with the escalating dilemma of plastic
waste. The study's outcomes give a nuanced
perspective on policy measures, highlighting
advancements and the persisting shortcomings in
confronting this widespread ecological issue.
Patterns in Policy Formation:
The scrutiny of the Plastics Policy Inventory
illustrates an apparent increase in legislative
reactions to plastic pollution during the last twenty
years, with a notable rise in the previous decade.
This surge reflects the growing worldwide
consciousness and a sense of urgency to mitigate
the environmental impacts of plastic debris.
Internationally, there has been a strategic pivot from
rigid international protocols, which initially tackled
marine-based pollution sources, to the present
emphasis on land-derived pollutants through more
flexible agreements. This shift indicates a
deepening understanding of the intricate nature of
plastic waste problems that ignore geographical and
sectoral boundaries. The investigation points to a
significant void at this tier: the need for enforceable,
specific, and quantifiable international targets to
curtail plastic pollution, a shortfall that could
weaken the unified actions needed to remedy such
a universal concern.
Europe has often led the way in regional policy
innovations, particularly within the European
Union, from which most regional policies have
sprung, denoting a solid regional resolve to address
plastic waste. However, the real-world
effectiveness of these regional initiatives often
depends on their incorporation into national laws,
which can vary significantly in enforcement and
effects.
National and Local Responses:
Nationally, the surge in policy initiatives has been
chiefly spurred by actions aimed at curbing the use
of single-use plastic carriers. The study indicates a
trend towards legislative prohibitions, signifying a
governmental preference for direct and absolute
measures over alternative policy tools. his tactic
has resulted in a considerable decline in plastic
 In conclusion, the study stresses the necessity to
build upon the progress made, recommending a
layered, forward-thinking, and inclusive policy
creation process. This strategy must not only
counteract the present effects of plastic misuse but
also preclude future damage by nurturing
responsible and sustainable usage of plastic
materials.
II. INTRODUCTION
Over the past seven decades, plastic production
has soared from two million tons in 1950 to over
450 million tons, becoming integral to numerous
sectors due to its affordability, versatility, and
sterility. Despite its benefits, the environmental
impact of plastic is profound when it is poorly
managed. With one to two million tons of plastic
ending up in the oceans annually, the resulting
pollution harms wildlife and ecosystems. It is
essential to enhance waste management practices
globally, particularly in less affluent nations which
are the primary sources of oceanic plastic, to
address this escalating issue (Ritchie et al., 2023).
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing
environmental issues of our time, with devastating
impacts on ecosystems, wildlife, and human
health, and it is one of the major problem or
challenges that we face now a day. As the global
consumption of plastic continues to rise, effective
management of solid waste has become imperative
in addressing this pressing issue. In this policy
brief examine on how effective of implementing
solid waste management strategies as a means to
combat plastic pollution, through waste
management practices and plastic pollution
reduction. In this brief aims to provide based
insights and recommendations for enhancing waste
management to achieve more sustainable
outcomes, in by that we can mitigate the impact of
plastic pollution and pave the way towards a
cleaner and healthier future for our environment
and community.
The introduction lays the groundwork for the study
by highlighting the magnitude of the plastic
pollution problem and the indispensable role of
government intervention. It frames the issue within
the context of the oceanic ecosystem.
BELBES, ELEJAH SHEM F. FRIAS, JANINE PALOSO, CRYSTEL MAE G.
It delineates the study's aim: to collate and analyze
governmental policies from January 2000 to July
2019 that have been implemented to mitigate the
leakage of plastics into marine environments. This
section establishes the urgency of the issue and the
need for a concerted policy response.
III. RESEARCH OVERVIEW
The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy
Solutions at Duke University has executed
extensive research to capture and scrutinize the
worldwide strategy evolution confronting the
growing plastic pollution challenge, especially in
the oceanic realm. This excerpt of the policy digest
delves into the research techniques and outcomes,
enhancing comprehension of the implemented
methodologies and the consequential insights
derived
RESEARCH APPROACH
An all-encompassing survey was performed by the
study team, focusing on international policy
documentation addressing plastic contamination.
To encompass a comprehensive array of legislative
tools employed at varied administrative tiers, the
method incorporated are:
 Data Gathering: An intensive examination
of over 13,000 documents, spanning
scholarly research, policy studies,
organizational reports, and press coverage,
was conducted. This extensive review
aimed to encompass a broad spectrum of
legislative responses, from globally
recognized treaties to localized endeavors.
 Expert Engagement: Given the intricacy of
ecological legislation, dialogues with
specialists were convened to capture the
most substantive and influential regulations.
This expert feedback infused additional
clarity into the understanding of legislative
effectiveness and application contexts.
 Assembling the Plastics Policy Library:
The distillation of data and specialist
feedback culminated in establishing the
Plastics Policy Library—a repository of 136
documents that explicitly confront plastic
pollution challenges, providing a
cornerstone for policy analysis.
 POLICY BRIEF
ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR ADDRESSING
PLASTIC POLLUTION
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The issue of plastic waste has escalated into a
critical environmental crisis of our time, affecting
the health of our oceans, wildlife, and people. In
response, Duke University's Nicholas Institute for
Environmental Policy Solutions took a deep dive
into the progression of worldwide governmental
actions taken against plastic pollution over two
decades. Their report, titled "20 Years of
Government Responses to the Global Plastic
Pollution Problem: The Plastics Policy Inventory,"
surveys policy actions from January 2000 to July
2019, shedding light on the success of different
strategies and suggesting directions for new
policies.
To build this report, researchers conducted a
thorough review of over 13,000 pieces of
literature, resulting in a Plastics Policy Library and
Inventory featuring 291 primary policy documents
and 370 supplementary ones. This extensive body
of work charts the international engagement with
plastic waste management, documenting an uptick
in policy enactments, variety in policy types, and a
pivot in attention from marine to terrestrial plastic
debris
BELBES, ELEJAH SHEM F. FRIAS, JANINE PALOSO, CRYSTEL MAE G.
NOVEMBER 6
The research highlights a marked upswing in
policy measures within the past ten years,
signaling an expanding acknowledgment of the
plastic problem. The survey uncovers an uptrend
in regulatory action, like the widespread ban on
single-use plastic bags. Nonetheless, such
measures are part of a larger puzzle needing a
holistic resolution strategy. The report underscores
the necessity of a multi-faceted plan that merges
regulation with economic incentives and public
awareness to reshape how we produce and
consume goods.
Furthermore, the study observes an imbalance in
policy adoption among different regions and
socioeconomic groups, suggesting a gap that could
be bridged through global cooperation. Hence, the
report suggests enacting a global treaty with
concrete goals, boosting regional partnerships,
widening the scope of national and local policy
tools, and unifying economic and informative
efforts to reinforce policy enactment. It also
advocates for increased funding in innovation,
rigorous enforcement and regulations, and
adopting a full-life-cycle perspective on plastics to
encourage a shift toward a circular economy.