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The policy brief argues that reliable, granular trade data is essential for evidence-based policymaking to tackle plastic pollution, but the current World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System (HS) lacks sufficient detail. It highlights seven key shortfalls in the HS, including inadequate differentiation of primary plastics, gaps in identifying harmful chemical additives, and a failure to track 'hidden' plastics embedded in other products. The authors propose a series of amendments for the 2022–2027 HS cycle, focusing on disaggregating polymer types, improving the classification of plastic waste to align with the Basel Convention, and revealing information on single-use plastics and packaging.

CAPE supports the federal government's proposal to ban specific single-use plastics, emphasizing that plastic pollution is a human health crisis as well as an ecological one. The organization highlights health risks including respiratory illness and cancer for fenceline communities and plastics workers, as well as the presence of microplastics in infants. CAPE recommends bringing regulations into force by the end of 2022, removing export exemptions, and expanding the list of banned items to include drink cups, cigarette filters, and products containing additives like PFAS and bisphenols.

The report argues that while COVID-19 provided a temporary respite for the environment, it exacerbated social inequalities and led to a rebound in carbon emissions. It contends that current 'green recovery' efforts are insufficient, primarily limited to wealthy nations and focused narrowly on decarbonisation while neglecting nature and social justice. The authors advocate for a structural shift toward a circular economy, nature-based solutions, and innovative finance like debt-for-nature swaps to ensure a sustainable and equitable transition.

The 2022 update of this public opinion study reveals that while Americans are increasingly concerned about plastic pollution and supportive of producer responsibility, they express significant skepticism regarding the efficacy of recycling. A majority of respondents believe businesses are most responsible for reducing plastic waste and show strong support for positive-incentive regulations, such as beverage container refund programs, over taxes or fees. The report also highlights disparities in recycling access and behavior based on geography, housing tenure, and income.

The briefing examines the climate and environmental justice impacts of plastic production, highlighting the role of the petrochemical industry in generating greenhouse gas emissions and toxic pollution. Panelists discuss the failure of plastic recycling, the disproportionate burden on low-income communities and 'Cancer Alley' in Louisiana, and various policy interventions. These include single-use plastic bans in New York and the European Union, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in Maine and Oregon, and local reuse ordinances in Berkeley, California. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift toward durable, reusable packaging and the closure of waste management loopholes.

The Transparent 2021 report analyzes the plastic footprints of eight global companies (Amcor, Colgate-Palmolive, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kimberly-Clark, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, and The Coca-Cola Company). In 2020, these members reported a total of 4.60 million metric tons of plastic sold to retailers and consumers. The report finds that 31% of this plastic was estimated to be recycled, while 44% went to landfills and 16% was mismanaged. Key progress includes the elimination of polystyrene (PS) from Keurig Dr Pepper's K-Cup pods and a reduction in small plastics by Starbucks and McDonald's. However, the report highlights a significant gap in the availability of recycled content, with the aggregate portfolio containing only 7.9% recycled content. The document advocates for a binding global treaty on plastic pollution to harmonize waste management data and scale circular solutions.

The document examines the growth of the transatlantic trade in natural gas liquids (NGLs), specifically ethane and propane, from the US to Europe. It contends that this trade allows European plastics producers to bypass domestic fracking bans and climate regulations, effectively offshoring the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with extraction and transport. The author calls for the EU to expand its Methane Regulation, Emissions Trading System (ETS), and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to cover the full petrochemical supply chain and imports.

The report argues that the food industry's reliance on single-use plastics creates significant ecological and health crises while exposing the sector and its financiers to material financial risks. It highlights a 'financial bubble' in the plastics industry driven by overproduction and impending regulation. Research reveals that seven banks operating in Belgium provided over 78 billion euros in financing to nine food industry companies between 2015 and 2021, with Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, and ING as the primary financiers. The document calls for banks to implement concrete plastic policies and for the Belgian government to use its influence as a shareholder to drive a transition toward a circular economy.

The document argues that 'Big Food' companies face escalating risks across three domains: waste, climate, and health. It highlights the 'Brussels Effect,' where strict EU directives on single-use plastics and chemical safety set global standards. The report warns that failure to transition from linear 'take-make-waste' models to circular reuse systems exposes companies to legal action, financial penalties, and loss of brand value, particularly among millennial and Gen Z consumers.

The document argues that 'Big Food' companies face escalating risks across waste, climate, and health dimensions due to their 'addiction to single-use plastics'. It highlights a wave of new legislation in Europe, increasing public backlash, and emerging legal precedents in the US and EU that could lead to significant financial and legal liabilities. The brief warns investors that many companies are failing to disclose these material risks or are relying on 'false solutions' rather than reducing their plastic footprints.

The document highlights the elevation of climate security at the Leaders Summit on Climate, noting the US target to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 50 to 52 percent by 2030. It emphasizes a 'whole-of-government' US approach involving military, intelligence, and diplomatic strategies, while noting the concrete security strategies of the UK and NATO. The text also observes varying levels of climate security expertise among participating nations, such as Kenya and Japan compared to the Philippines, suggesting an opportunity for the US to provide capacity-building tools.

The report argues that Ecoembes and Ecovidrio, the dominant waste management systems in Spain, use their monopoly power and lobbying to prevent the adoption of a mandatory Deposit Return System (SDDR). It highlights that these organizations benefit financially from increased plastic packaging volume, creating a conflict of interest that hinders EU recycling targets. The document also criticizes major supermarkets like Mercadona for opposing the SDDR and promotes the legislative progress in the Balearic Islands as a model for the rest of the country.

The report argues that Spain's plastic waste management is dominated by monopolies like Ecoembes and Ecovidrio, whose business models profit from increased plastic packaging, leading them to lobby against effective solutions like DRS. It highlights the financial burden of litter clean-up on taxpayers, estimated at up to €744 million annually, and criticises retailers for their lack of transparency and opposition to mandatory reforms. While some regions like the Balearic Islands are implementing ambitious laws, the report warns that the Spanish government remains susceptible to industry lobbying, which threatens the country's ability to meet EU targets for separate collection and recycled content by 2030.

The report analyzes how the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated existing fragilities in South Africa's waste sector, particularly for informal waste reclaimers and small businesses. It highlights the negative impact of low oil prices on recycled plastic demand and the failure of government relief loans to reach small enterprises. The document argues for the urgent, inclusive implementation of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations to ensure financial sustainability and the integration of informal workers into the circular economy.

The document examines the systemic failure of plastic recycling and the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. It evaluates the potential for a new global treaty versus voluntary measures and highlights the link between plastic production and fossil fuel demand.

The Changing Markets Foundation warns that global plastic production is set to double by 2030 and could account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The organization argues that industry lobbying is undermining the EU's Single-Use Plastic Directive through attempts to exempt bio-based plastics, viscose, and cellophane, and by jeopardizing deposit return systems. The letter calls for legislative measures to end overpackaging, prevent greenwashing, and reject 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and incineration in favor of reuse and mechanical recycling.

The Changing Markets Foundation warns that global plastic production is set to double by 2030 and could account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The organization argues that industry lobbying is currently undermining the EU's Single-Use Plastic Directive through attempts to exempt bio-based plastics, viscose, and cellophane from the definition of single-use plastics. It further highlights efforts by brands and producer responsibility organisations to jeopardize deposit return systems (DRS), which the author claims are the only viable way to achieve 90%+ collection of beverage bottles. The letter calls for the EU to move beyond voluntary commitments and implement robust measures against overpackaging, greenwashing, and 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and incineration.

The Changing Markets Foundation warns that global plastic production is set to double by 2030 and could account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The letter argues that industry lobbying is currently undermining the EU's Single-Use Plastic Directive by seeking exemptions for bio-based, biodegradable, viscose, and cellophane plastics, and by jeopardising the implementation of deposit return systems (DRS). The foundation calls for the EU to reject voluntary corporate commitments in favour of mandatory measures to end overpackaging, regulate green claims, and clarify that incineration and chemical recycling are not substantive contributions to a circular economy.

The Changing Markets Foundation accuses Coca-Cola of having a 'worrying track-record of broken promises' regarding plastic and of undermining deposit return legislation in Kenya, China, and Georgia (USA). The letter demands that Coca-Cola publicly support deposit return systems globally, increase transparency regarding its 2.9 million tonnes of annual plastic use, and adopt ambitious reuse targets.

The Changing Markets Foundation's investigation into the ten most plastic-polluting companies reveals a global trend of corporations undermining legislative solutions to the plastic crisis. Specifically, the foundation criticizes Colgate-Palmolive for a lack of leadership, inconsistent reporting on recycled content, and an unambitious focus on light-weighting rather than absolute virgin plastic reduction. The letter demands that the company publicly support progressive legislation, such as global deposit return systems, and provide transparent, independently verified data on its full plastic footprint.