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LESSON 4 | How can we prevent and minimize the

generation of plastic waste?

This lesson explores the waste management hierarchy, clarifying the advantages of environmentally
sound management of plastic waste at source.

It highlights the objectives and key elements of efficient and effective waste prevention and
minimization strategies, such as decoupling, resource efficiency and eco-design, and linkages with
the Stockholm Convention measures in this respect, illustrated by concrete examples.

To allow you to apply the knowledge to specific national and/or local circumstances, the lesson
explains which type of strategies can be applied, approaches per sector and the involvement of
stakeholders.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. explain the waste hierarchy and its Questions are posed throughout the text for you
benefits; to check own understanding. The questions are
2. identify options for waste prevention in various formats, from open (reflection points)
and minimization policies; and to multiple choice, true/false, ranking, and/or
matching. The answers can be consulted at the
3. describe the key steps in designing
end of the journal.
and implementing such policies.

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WHAT ARE the goals and purposes of plastic waste prevention and minimization?

Prevention and minimization strategies can help ▪ reducing energy consumption and
to protect human health and the environment greenhouse gas emissions (such as from
as well as stimulate economic growth and landfills)
the transition towards circularity. Concrete ▪ improving material and resource efficiency
benefits include:
▪ reducing the use of harmful substances in
▪ decoupling resource use (and associated the production of plastics, such as POPs
costs) and waste generation from chemicals listed in Annexes A, B and C to
economic the Stockholm Convention
▪ growth ▪ stimulating the development of sustainable
▪ reducing environmental impacts of products and services
resource extraction, manufacturing and ▪ creating jobs
distribution

Which of the above benefits would you place higher than others, given the context of your
country?

Linkages with the Stockholm Convention

Prohibition, elimination, or restriction range environmental transport and adverse

effects to human health and/or the environment.
The Stockholm Convention requires Parties to
prohibit, eliminate or restrict the production, In 2022, the POPRC decided that UV-328 is
use, import and export of listed intentionally likely, as a result of its long range environmental
produced POPs. It also requires Parties to transport, to lead to significant adverse human
reduce or eliminate releases from unintentionally health and/or environmental effects such that
produced POPs and has provisions on the ESM global action is warranted.
of stockpiles and wastes consisting of, containing
or contaminated with POPs.
Other POPs reviewed by the POPs Review
Committee
Control of various POPs used in plastics
Other industrial chemicals under review by the
The Stockholm Convention controls various POPs Review Committee include dechlorane
POPs used in plastics, e.g. flame retardants, plus, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins and
surface treatment agents, water/oil repellents, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs),
soil repellents, plasticizers, or in the manufacture their salts and related compounds. PFCAs are
of fluoropolymers. used in the production of fluoropolymers, such as
polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). PVDF is one of
In early 2021, the POPs Review Committee
the polymers recognized in Annex IX to the Basel
(POPRC), which is a subsidiary body responsible
Convention as exempted from the PIC procedure
for reviewing chemicals proposed for listing
under that Convention. Furthermore, the POPs
under the Stockholm Convention, found that
Review Committee is analysing information
UV-328, an additive in plastic products, satisfies
on the potential for long-range environmental
the screening criteria set out in Annex D, namely
transport of chemicals of concern, including
persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long-
through plastic debris.

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WHAT IS the waste management hierarchy?

The waste management hierarchy is based on managing it. The waste management hierarchy
the idea that it is less costly, more efficient and sorts different interventions in addressing
more sustainable to prevent waste in the first waste from most to least preferred, as shown in
instance, instead of generating and subsequently the diagram.

For example, some grocery stores have

introduced the sale of products without
packaging. Customers bring their own containers
and fill them with items such as dry food,
beverages, cleaning products, etc. Policy
interventions targeting prevention, minimization,
reuse and recycling are equally widespread.

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A 2018 UNEP report found a strong momentum of plastic bags and 61 countries had adopted
towards regulating the manufacture, distribution, manufacturing and import bans. Moreover, 51
use and trade of plastic bags: 83 countries countries had adopted recycling targets for
had adopted a ban on free retail distribution plastic bags.

Map redesigned based on the map provided in the report

Q1: Put the following interventions/actions

in the most desirable order according to the
waste hierarchy (from 1 to 6):

____ Reuse____ Prevention____ Energy recovery

____ Minimization____ Disposal____ Recycling

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WHAT IS the life cycle approach?

Life cycle thinking means considering reducing resource use and emissions to the
environmental, social and economic impacts environment while at the same time improving
across the entire life cycle with the aim of socio-economic performance.

A product life cycle

* Annex IV A lists all operations which do not lead to the possibility of resource recovery, recycling, reclamation,
direct re-use or alternative uses

A product life cycle ranges from the extraction the use of a plastic product aids the prevention of
of raw materials to recycling, reuse, recovery or plastic waste. This also applies for reducing the
final disposal. In each life cycle stage there is the use of polymers that are less easy to recycle and
potential to reduce resource consumption and replacing them by other materials in the design
improve the performance of products. Extending and production phase.

Sources: UNEP (2018), UNEP (2019), EEA (2020), Geyer (2020). Illustration by Levi Westerveld / GRID-Arendal
(2021). Research by Maria Tsakona.

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While the waste management hierarchy generate the most environmental, social and
highlights the benefits of prioritising front- economic benefits. This often needs to be
of-the-pipe to end-of-the-pipe solutions, determined on a case-by-case basis, as illustrated
the integrated life cycle approach can help to in the following example:
determine at which stage an intervention will

APPLYING A LIFE CYCLE APPROACH TO SHOPPING BAGS

A meta-analysis by the UNEP Life Cycle Initiative compared single-use plastic bags with
alternatives, such as reusable and bio-based LDPE bags, paper bags, biodegradable bags,
etc. The analysis found that the environmental impacts of the different options varied across
environmental categories.

For example, the single-use plastic bag was considered a poor option in terms of litter on land,
marine litter and microplastics, but it scored well in other environmental impact categories, such
as climate change, acidification, eutrophication, water use and land use. Overall environmental
rankings, therefore, depend on what environmental aspects are relevant for a specific case or
what aspect is given the highest priority.

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The analysis points out that reusable bags need to be used multiple times for optimum reduction
of environmental impacts. Policymakers should, therefore, give adequate attention to the
design of bags for durability, incentivizing the reuse of bags, the provision of adequate waste
management and end-of-life solutions, and the accessibility and affordability of such alternatives.

HOW IS prevention and minimization addressed under the Basel Convention in

relation to hazardous and other waste in general?

Strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention

The Strategic framework for the implementation best overall environmental outcome, taking into
of the Basel Convention, adopted by the COP account life cycle thinking. Objective 2.2 of the
through decision BC-10/2 (see also lesson 1), strategic framework is to pursue the prevention
features among its guiding principles the need and minimization of hazardous waste and other
to recognize the waste management hierarchy. waste generation at source.
It encourages treatment options that deliver the

Framework for the ESM of hazardous wastes and other wastes

In 2013, the COP adopted the Framework for the emphasises that waste prevention should be
ESM of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The the preferred option in any waste management
ESM framework calls on stakeholders to promote policy. The framework also recognises that
an integrated life cycle approach and highlights some wastes are already, or will inevitably be,
that stakeholders should respect the waste generated and such wastes should be managed
management hierarchy. The ESM framework in an environmentally sound manner.

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Q2: Can you recall from lesson 2 which □ B-14/10

decision adopted at COP 14 calls upon
□ B-14/13
Parties to make further efforts to prevent
and minimize the generation of plastic waste,
□ B-14/18
for example, by increasing the durability, □ B-14/19
reusability and recyclability of plastic □ B-14/21
products? □ B-14/23

HOW DOES the Basel Convention address the prevention and minimization of
plastic waste?

By bringing the listed types of plastic waste under increase resource efficiency and the importance
the provisions pertaining to waste prevention of the waste management hierarchy. The Plastic
and minimization, the Amendments will stimulate Waste Partnership, through project group 1 on
innovation, such as in the design of alternatives prevention and minimisation, has developed a
to plastic and in the phasing out of toxic additives. “Draft compilation of information, best practices
Decision BC-14/13 emphasizes the need to and lessons learned on measures taken to
adopt a life cycle approach to plastics and to prevent and reduce single use plastic waste”.

PLASTIC WASTE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT GROUP 1: DRAFT COMPILATION OF

INFORMATION, BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED ON MEASURES TAKEN TO
PREVENT AND REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WASTE

This draft output of the PWP project group 1 on prevention and minimization features many
examples that could inspire action to reduce the generation of plastic waste. It covers bans,
market-based instruments, plastic taxes, extended producer responsibility schemes, etc. as well
as several country case studies. One of the country case studies concerns China. China’s new
plastic bag ban adopts a gradual approach, banning different kinds of non-degradable single-use
plastics between 2020 and 2050.

• Prohibiting by 2020, the production and sale of ultra-thin plastic shopping bags, polyethylene
agricultural mulch and disposable foam plastic tableware.
• Prohibiting by the end of 2022, the production and sale of household chemicals containing
plastic beads, non-degradable plastic bags and non-degradable disposable plastic tableware
and others.
• Prohibiting by the end of 2025, the production and sale of non-degradable plastic bags
(expanded to villages, etc.) and non-degradable disposable tableware in the food and
beverage delivery area of cities by 30% above the prefectural level etc.

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A variety of guidance, tools and technical The Plastic Waste Partnership

assistance developed and provided under
The PWP, established through Decision BC-
the Basel Convention aim to strengthen the
14/13, aims among others to prevent and
capacities of Parties to prevent and minimize
minimize the generation of plastic waste, which is
the generation of hazardous and other wastes,
also addressed through one of its project groups,
including plastic waste:
which addresses issues such as reducing single-
use packaging waste, improving the design of
plastic products to increase durability and scaling
Technical guidelines on plastic waste
up re-use solutions.
In 2002, the COP adopted the ‘Technical
guidelines for the identification and ESM
of plastic wastes and for their disposal’. The Small Grants Programme (SGP) on Plastic Waste
process to update these guidelines, as decided Various projects under the SGP on Plastic Waste
at COP 14, is ongoing as of 2021. The draft target the prevention and minimization of plastic
updated Technical Guidelines, as presented at waste. For instance, a project in Suriname will
the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) in replace single-use plastic bags with reusable and
2020, features a dedicated section on prevention locally produced cloth and newspaper bags.
and minimization.

Other technical assistance

Guidance on prevention and minimization
The BRS Secretariat implements a number of
In the context of the ESM Framework, an ESM technical assistance activities addressing,
toolkit was developed. It addresses a wide range among others, prevention and minimization of
of topics, featuring among others a Guidance to plastic waste, including projects in Ghana, Sri
assist Parties in developing efficient strategies Lanka, Malawi and Zimbabwe. In the context of
for achieving the prevention and minimization these projects, various pilot schemes to tackle
of the generation of hazardous and other wastes plastic waste at source are being implemented.
and their disposal. Examples include the use of compostable
packaging made from seaweed to replace single
use plastic packaging and the establishment of
plastic-free schools.

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WHAT STRATEGIES for plastic waste prevention and minimization exist?

Waste prevention and minimization strategies fall into four broad categories:

I. Information II. Promotional III. Regulatory IV. Technology

exchange strategies strategies strategies

Information exchange strategies

These aim at changing behaviour and enabling The ‘Feels Good to Refill’ campaign in
informed decisions. This could include providing New Zealand
information on hazardous substances contained
New Zealand ran a ‘Feels good to refill’ campaign,
in plastic products; undertaking awareness
which promoted refilling bottles over the summer
campaigns on the benefits of switching to
period, educating people on the benefits of
alternatives; and education and training
refilling and providing a website to allow them
programmes for stakeholders from the private
to find their nearest free refill station. The
and public sector, for example, on technologies
government is also funding a design project
available for reducing the use of plastics.
for a New Zealand container return scheme for
Examples from around the world:
beverage containers. This has included looking at
Recyclability labelling in Chile options for refilling, recognising that reuse should
be prioritised over recycling.
Chile has launched a public-private initiative to
trial a recyclability label for packaging. The first
products with the label were due to enter the
market in 2021.

Promotional strategies

These involve providing incentives for Disposable cup deposit fees in the US
behavioural change as well as  providing
An American coffee multinational measured a
financial and logistical support for beneficial
2.8% reusable rate in company-operated stores
initiatives. For instance, businesses could set
in the US and saved 105 million disposable cups
voluntary recycling targets and, governments
by tracking discounts provided when customers
and the businesses could enter into public-
brought their own cup. In the United Kingdom,
private partnerships to advance research on non-
a trial of a 5-pence disposable cup fee and a
plastic alternatives, etc. Examples from around
25-pence reusable cup incentive increased
the world:
reusable cup usage for hot drinks sold in stores
from 2.2% to 5.8%.

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Fees on single-use cups in Scotland ‘Plastic Free Campaign’ in Jamaica

Scotland has consulted on the proposal to The ‘Plastic Free Campaign’ run by the Jamaican
introduce charges for environmentally harmful government used social media to engage people
items, with single-use cups identified as a priority to support a ban on single-use plastics in Jamaica,
item. This built on previous advice of an expert use reusable bags, and imagine a Jamaica free
panel that a charge is more effective than a of expanded polystyrene foam (styrofoam). The
discount in changing behaviour and increasing campaign used incentives, such as giveaways to
reusable cup use. get people engaged, and statistics about how
styrofoam is toxic for human health.

Reducing plastic pollution: Campaigns that work:

https://www.campaignsthatwork.org/

Regulatory strategies

These involve enforcing limits on waste Single-use plastic ban in Kenya

generation, expanding environmental obligations
The government of Kenya decided to ban single-
and imposing environmental criteria on public
use plastic in protected natural areas. Following a
contracts. Such strategies could range from
presidential directive, the ban came into effect on
bans on certain products (e.g. certain single-use
5 June 2020 in National Parks, beaches, forests
plastics), the provisions of taxes and other fiscal
and conservation areas. This means visitors will
incentives (e.g. a pay-as-you-throw scheme) and
no longer be able to carry plastic water bottles,
extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies
cups, disposable plates, cutlery or straws into
to green public procurement policies and eco-
protected areas. This decision followed Kenya’s
design requirements. Examples from around
ground-breaking step of a nationwide ban on
the world:
single-use plastic bags in 2017.
Tackling lightweight plastic bags in Portugal

Portugal has enacted a law forcing the provision

The Plastics Pact in the Netherlands
of alternatives to the use of very lightweight
plastic bags and plastic packages at points of The Netherlands, as part of the Plastics Pact NL,
sale for bread, fruit and vegetables. From June has set a target to use 20% fewer plastics by
2023, the law will also prohibit commercial 2025 and, as part of the European Plastics Pact,
establishments from providing these very 18 national governments (including Germany,
lightweight plastic bags for primary packaging or France, Italy and Spain) have signed up to reduce
transportation of those products, and also their virgin plastic products and packaging by at
sale in disposable packages containing plastic. least 20% (by weight) by 2025, with half of that
reduction coming from an absolute reduction
of plastics. A number of national governments
are working to incentivise packaging return
through deposit return schemes for drinks
bottles: the Netherlands’ deposit return system
for small plastic bottles were due to come into
effect in 2021.

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Technology strategies

These involve the development and use of Global Commitment 2020 Progress report:
specific technologies that aim at preventing
https://articulateusercontent.com/rise/
and minimizing waste generation, e.g. when
courses/8K1F0qfaJmYFrrN1wRYvlexWKDs_
manufacturing new products or when providing
lrfl/8eH5wqk-Wsl2Xaxh-Global-Commitment-
services to consumers. This could include, for
2020-Progress-Report.pdf
example, efforts to enhance the durability of
certain plastics and improving the recyclability New technologies, such as nanotechnology,
of plastic products. A UN report on exploring genetic modification and advanced chemical
the potential for adopting alternative materials processes, can help curb plastic pollution by
to reduce marine plastic litter assessed 25 case developing natural substitutes and producing
studies on alternatives for the use of plastic. more biodegradable plastics. However,
Examples from around the world: appropriate policies are needed to maximize
the potential of new technologies for winning
Reducing the need for plastic packaging in the fight against plastic pollution. Interventions
grocery stores in the Netherlands at the production stage will have to be
A Dutch grocery retail company is using a dry complemented by interventions at other stages
misting technology to remove the need for of the plastics life cycle, including in usage and
plastic packaging around fruits and vegetables disposal, where frontier technologies can play
in 150 stores in The Netherlands, which could equally important roles.
help save 270 tonnes of plastic packaging per
year. The retailer is also using ‘natural branding’
instead of stickers to mark its organic fruits and Frontier Technology Quarterly: Frontier
vegetables, which also reduces the need to technologies for addressing plastic pollution:
wrap them, saving 13 metric tonnes of plastic https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/
packaging. publication/frontier-technology-quarterly-
september-2019-frontier-technologies-for-
addressing-plastic-pollution/
Enhancing recycled content in clothing
A branded clothing company, aiming for a
Q3: Enforcing limits on waste generation,
minimum of 70% recycled content in all remaining
expanding environmental obligations and
plastic packaging by 2025, has partnered with a
imposing environmental criteria on public
poly-bag manufacturer who collects poly-bags,
contracts is:
recycles them and uses them for the production
of new poly-bags. This enabled the company to □ An information exchange strategy
switch from 100% virgin LDPE to 30% recycled
□ A promotional strategy
content for this packaging, saving 96 metric
tonnes of virgin plastic each year.
□ A regulatory strategy
□ A technology strategy

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Q4: “The Plastic Bag Diet campaign in □ An information exchange strategy

Indonesia, which started small in 2010,
□ A promotional strategy
employs a range of in-person awareness-
raising tactics in addition to digital
□ A regulatory strategy
engagement. In the ‘Plastic Bag Robbery’, a □ A technology strategy
volunteer will approach someone on the street
carrying a single-use plastic bag and ‘rob’ them
Q5: “As of December 2021, in Peru it will be
of the bag, replacing it with a reusable bag and
mandatory to use at least 15% post-consumer
taking a few minutes to talk with them about
recycled content in PET bottles for drink and
why it matters. The campaign also engages in
personal care products.” This is:
Plastic Tourism, bringing people to the front
lines of plastic pollution to experience the □ An information exchange strategy
problem firsthand. This campaign is credited
□ A promotional strategy
with contributing to Jakarta’s plastic bag ban
in 2019”. □ A regulatory strategy
□ A technology strategy
THIS campaign is (choose two):

HOW CAN plastic waste prevention and minimization strategies be prepared and
implemented?

An effective plastic waste prevention and 1. Providing a vision on the scope and
minimization strategy builds on existing timeframe of the strategy;
initiatives and embraces the most efficient and 2. Defining the specific objectives
effective complementary measures, both binding driving the strategy;
and voluntary. It is essential to follow a multi-step
3. Setting priority areas on which the
approach, overall, encompassing the following:
waste strategy should focus; and
4. Selecting and combining
measures that will bring about low
environmental impacts and efficient
material systems.

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Step 1: Getting started 1. Overall strategic view

The preparation of a plastic waste prevention and 2. A project team which includes:
minimization strategy may be initiated with the 3. Establishment of a knowledge base
following four steps:
4. An operational plan

Step 2: Assessing the situation

Assessing the situation implies several steps

itself. Below are presented the steps that might
be considered.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Assess the situation with regard to aspects, such as the plastic waste generation per capita; public
awareness for plastic waste prevention and minimization;

COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
Complementing the previous assessment; gather and analyse information on available
infrastructure; existing plastic waste management systems; and trade in plastic and plastic
waste, etc.

ANALYSIS OF POLICIES
Identify and analyse existing policies relevant for the prevention and minimization of plastic waste
at national, regional and local level (e.g. EPR schemes, partnerships, etc.), thereby identifying gaps
and opportunities as well as potential trade-offs.

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY BARRIERS AND DRIVERS FOR CHANGE

In identifying key barriers (e.g. lack of fiscal incentives) and drivers (e.g. local production capacities
for non-plastic products) towards plastic waste prevention and minimization, consider the specific
circumstances.

INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS
Involve relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector as well as civil society and
academia from the outset, both in gathering information as well as consulting on potential
measures to be implemented.

Step 3: Setting priorities

Taking into account the outcomes of steps 1 and 2, priorities can be set in terms of the following:

SCOPE
Determine how the strategy will be integrated (or not) in existing national or regional plans as
well as whether it will address plastic waste prevention and minimization by addressing key
stakeholders (e.g. households and businesses); waste streams (e.g. packaging waste); and/or
phases of the lifecycle (e.g. design, production and consumption).

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KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Identify key stakeholders, such as consumers/households, specific industry sectors, workers
and trade unions, local authorities, dedicated nongovernmental organisations, academia and
other actors.

WASTE STREAMS
Identify the specific waste streams containing plastic waste, e.g. packaging waste, medical waste
and electronic waste, and sectors, e.g. fisheries, construction, tourism and that will be addressed.

PHASES OF THE LIFECYCLE

Determine the phase of the lifecycle to be prioritised. For example, strategies could aim at scaling
up the production of non-plastic alternatives and/or target consumer behaviour. This could be
determined based on the national circumstances, e.g. whether there is more production/import/
export, etc.

TARGETS
Set quantitative goals with clear deadlines, considering existing trends as well as infrastructure.
Targets can be set at geographic scale (e.g. minimizing plastic waste generation in a certain area by
a certain percentage), be sector-specific (e.g. reducing plastic waste generation from tourism by a
certain percentage), and be time-bound (e.g. setting a deadline by which a certain plastic product
will be phased out), etc. Targets can vary in terms of whether they are quantitative or qualitative,
voluntary or binding, etc.

Step 4: Identifying means of implementation

This phase involves identifying and listing (e.g. via a tax on the production/import of plastic
necessary resources required and mechanisms products) with a dedicated fund to implement
for mobilising them with the aim of safeguarding plastic waste prevention and minimization
their supply for the longer term. For instance, it initiatives. This can help with prioritising actions
may be necessary to set up a financing scheme and with the adoption of a stepwise approach.

Step 5: Developing a waste prevention and minimization strategy

This phase involves the development of ▪ What are relevant priorities in overarching
measures to ensure that the strategy is well policies (e.g. national waste management
suited to the circumstances of the country or plan)?
region and that it will be widely accepted and ▪ Which policies are under revision or
engaging. Stakeholder involvement is crucial to development and what opportunities exist
the success of the strategy. Early involvement in for synergies?
the process is particularly important in order to
▪ Which relevant strategies or action plans
secure ownership of the strategy. Questions that
are already in place?
can help in developing a plastic waste prevention
▪ What technologies are relevant, available
and minimization strategy include the following:
and affordable and what requires
development?
▪ Are there policies that may hinder plastic
waste prevention and minimization?
▪ What initiatives by business, civil society
or academia could the strategy build on?

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Step 6: Adopting the strategy

A process for adoption should be pursued government might present the strategy to its
through the relevant channels. For example, the parliament for adoption.

Step 7: Implementing the strategy

Considering the priorities, activities and implemented. A timeframe showing the expected
measures included in the strategy, authorities duration of the different stages and the expected
should determine at which levels they should be finalization date of the strategy should be agreed.

Step 8: Monitoring progress

Indicators and benchmarks need to be ▪ Self-monitoring with regular reporting;

developed. In tracking progress and ensuring ▪ Government monitoring and reporting;
the transparency and credibility of any strategy,
▪ Third-party monitoring through an
programme or measure, it should be identified
accreditation or certification scheme; or
who will do the tracking and what verification
▪ A combination of the above.
mechanisms might be employed. Possible
approaches include:

Q6: In attempting a plastic waste prevention Q7: In a bit more detail, what would be the
and minimization strategy, what should you logical sequence of actions when preparing
do, broadly? Put the following actions in the and implementing a plastic waste prevention
right order from 1 to 4: and minimization strategy? Put the following
actions in the right order from 1 to 8:
____ Set the priority areas on which the waste
strategy should focus ____ Assess available information, policies,
barriers and drivers of change, stakeholder
____ Provide a vision on the scope and
timeframe of the strategy ____ Adoption the strategy

____ Select measures that will lead to ____ Monito progress

low environmental impacts and efficient
____ Set priorities and targets
material systems
____ Identify means of implementation
____ Define the specific objectives driving
the strategy ____ Develop the strategy

____ Implement the strategy

____ Define a strategic view, create a project

team, establish a knowledge base and a plan

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Q8: At which step of the preparation and □ Assessing the situation

implementation of a strategy for plastic
□ Setting priorities
waste prevention and minimization would
one typically set up a financing scheme with a
□ Identifying means of implementation of
the strategy
dedicated fund?
□ Adopting the strategy

Case Study: Prevention and minimization in Ghana’s National Plastics

Management Policy

In the context of the project ‘Marine litter and In 2019, Ghana became the first African nation to
microplastics: promoting the environmentally join the Global Plastic Action Partnership, thus
sound management of plastic waste and establishing the Ghana National Plastic Action
achieving the prevention and minimization Partnership (NPAP). The Ghana NPAP serves
of the generation of plastic waste’ (BRS- as the national platform for multistakeholder
Norad-1), financed by the Norwegian Agency cooperation, facilitating initiatives and funding to
for Development Cooperation (Norad), Ghana scale up and accelerate in-country partnerships
seeks to prevent and significantly reduce marine that address plastic waste and pollution
litter and microplastics. Among others, it seeks while contributing to the nation’s progress
to strengthen measures for the prevention and towards achieving many of the Sustainable
minimization of the generation of plastic waste. Development Goals.

Photo: Global Plastic Action Partnership

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Meanwhile, Ghana developed and, in 2020,

revised its ‘National Plastics Management
Policy’ (NPMP). The NPMP is the product of
lengthy research, stakeholder consultations and
various projects and programmes. The NPMP
document has been compiled by a dedicated
group of experts, relying also on contributions
from across the public sector, private sector,
informal sector, industry associations, NGOs,
CSOs, development partners and academics.

Photo: Ghana’s National Plastic Management Policy

Its central aim has been defined as “the

comprehensive management of plastics to
solve current environmental challenges and
as a tool for sustainable development”. To
achieve this aim, the following strategic actions,
representing an integrated and systems-level
approach, have been defined: (1) Behavioural
change; (2) Strategic planning and cross-sectoral
collaboration; (3) Resource mobilization towards
a circular economy; and (4) Good governance,
inclusiveness and shared accountability.
Photo: Ghana’s NPAP Trade and Circular Economy

The Policy adopts the Waste Hierarchy,

highlighting the importance of waste reduction
first, followed by reuse, recycle, recover energy
and, lastly, disposal to be avoided when possible.

The Policy contains an analysis of the current

situation; a review of the policy, legal and
regulatory framework; a policy vision and guiding
principles; strategic actions across a range of
focal areas; and implementation arrangements.

Diagram: Ghana’s NPAP Trade and Circular Economy

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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Prevention and minimization of the generation of

plastic waste is featured prominently throughout
the NPMP, even among the guiding principles.
For example, focus area 1 on behavioural
change foresees the development of a ‘National
Communications, Education and Mainstreaming
Strategy’, of a school curriculum and related
infrastructure, and the promotion of alternative
materials.

Photo: Ghana’s NPAP Trade and Circular Economy

The NPMP also foresees the establishment

of green public procurement standards, a
mechanism for phasing out most hazardous
plastics grades and product applications, etc. As
regards the promotion of alternative materials,
it seeks to support companies via financial and
non-financial means to produce alternatives to
plastic products. Moreover, activities to support
campaigns that create awareness and access to
reusable tools will be promoted, as will initiatives
that increase access to potable water sources,
thereby minimizing the need for packaged water.

Photo: Ghana’s NPAP Trade and Circular Economy

BRS-Norad-1

‘Marine litter and microplastics: promoting website: http://www.basel.int/Implementation/

the environmentally sound management of Plasticwaste/Technicalassistance/Projects/
plastic waste and achieving the prevention and BRSNorad1/tabid/8343/Default.aspx
minimization of the generation of plastic waste’

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU have reached the end of lesson 4, the first lesson
of Module 2.

Lesson 5 will explore the concept of which tools can be applied to promote, facilitate
environmentally sound management (ESM) of and ensure ESM of plastic waste at all stages
plastics and its criteria, as defined under the of the life cycle, through principles, policies and
Basel Convention. It will explain, among others, practical arrangements.

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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Answers:

Q1: Q7:

1 Prevention 1 Defining a strategic view, create a project

team, establish a knowledge base and a plan
2 Minimization
2 Assessing available information, policies,
3 Reuse
barriers and drivers of change, stakeholder
4 Recycling
3 Setting priorities and targets
5 Energy recovery
4 Identifying means of implementation
6 Disposal
5 Developing the strategy
Q2: B-14/13
6 Adoption of the strategy
Q3: A regulatory strategy
7 Implementation of the strategy
Q4: An information exchange strategy and
8 Monitoring progress
a promotional strategy
Q8: Identifying means of implementation
Q5: A technology strategy
of the strategy
Q6:

1 Provide a vision on the scope and

timeframe of the strategy

2 Define the specific objectives driving

the strategy

3 Set the priority areas on which the waste

strategy should focus

4 Select measures that will lead to low

environmental impacts and efficient
material systems

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