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The report argues that while scientists identified ocean plastic pollution in the 1950s, the petrochemical and petroleum industries were aware of the issue by the 1970s. It details how industry actors participated in early workshops on marine pollutants and packaging waste, often framing the non-biodegradable nature of plastic as a benefit for landfills while privately acknowledging disposal problems. The document further asserts that the industry has historically shifted responsibility to consumers and fought regulations on single-use plastics, such as bag bans in California and Seattle, despite knowing the environmental impact of their products.

The fact sheet proposes specific targets for the EU's "Farm to Fork" Strategy, focusing on reducing pollution from farming, ending overfishing, and eliminating harmful chemicals and single-use plastics across the food system to align with climate commitments.

The document outlines the ongoing negotiations for a global treaty to end plastic pollution, highlighting key areas of agreement and contention. While states agree on the priority of plastic waste management, significant disagreement exists regarding global production reduction targets due to potential economic impacts. The guide emphasizes the importance of product durability and the targeting of harmful chemicals in single-use plastics to reduce environmental impact.

TESS supports the WTO's Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP) and its draft Ministerial Statement for MC13, emphasizing that trade policies are essential tools for addressing plastic pollution. TESS advocates for a post-MC13 workplan that includes 'deep-dive sessions' on challenges like single-use plastics and sachets, particularly focusing on the needs of developing countries, LDCs, and SIDS. The statement also highlights TESS's upcoming initiatives, including a panel at MC13 and a seminar with the World Customs Organization on Harmonized System (HS) amendments.

TESS supports the revised draft Ministerial Statement for the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP), noting its evolution from identifying issues to agreeing on voluntary international cooperation. The statement emphasizes the need for trade-related capacity building for developing members, including LDCs, SVEs, and SIDS, and suggests that the DPP's work should complement the negotiations for a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution. TESS also promotes its own policy research on standards, single-use plastics, and waste management technologies to inform the dialogue.

The guide outlines seven ways individuals can support ocean conservation, including choosing sustainable seafood certified by the MSC and ASC, reducing carbon footprints to combat ocean warming, and eliminating single-use plastics. It also suggests traveling responsibly, educating oneself and others, volunteering for conservation organizations, and advocating for ocean-friendly policies through elected representatives.

The Cleanup Guide by WWF International is a toolkit designed to empower employees to organize volunteer plastic cleanup events. It outlines the environmental urgency of plastic pollution, provides a comprehensive planning checklist—covering site selection, volunteer recruitment, and safety—and offers strategies for minimizing the event's own environmental footprint. The guide emphasizes a "one planet" approach to systems-change and encourages participants to move beyond cleanups toward reducing single-use plastic consumption and advocating for policy changes.

The document advocates for the use of bulk milk dispensers—reusable, insulated containers holding 3-5 gallon bags—in school cafeterias to replace single-use cartons. It highlights that transitioning to bulk dispensers reduces daily milk waste from 3.2 gallons to less than 2 gallons, while addressing the issue of students discarding roughly 32 cartons (approximately 28 pounds) per year.

The document highlights the tourism industry's significant role in plastic pollution, noting that 80% of tourism occurs in coastal areas and peak seasons can increase marine litter by 40%. It urges businesses and governments to adopt circular economy principles, support recycling infrastructure, and join global initiatives such as the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the U.S. Plastics Pact to eliminate plastic leakage into the environment.

The report outlines a vision for 'No Plastic in Nature' by 2030, focusing on the role of the private sector in eliminating unnecessary plastics, doubling global recovery, and shifting to sustainable materials. It provides a blueprint for corporate action centered on strategic organizational alignment, innovative product design, consumer engagement through behavioral science, and the development of local collection and recovery infrastructure.

The report argues that transitioning to bulk milk dispensers (BMDs) in K-12 schools can significantly reduce packaging and liquid milk waste, lower waste hauling and refrigeration costs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. While initial startup costs and labor for cleaning reusable cups are primary hurdles, case studies indicate that these costs can be recouped through reduced waste and improved efficiency. The document highlights that BMDs can lower milk waste from roughly 32 cartons per student to 4.5 cartons per student annually, contributing to broader school sustainability goals.

The policy brief outlines a strategy to move the US toward a circular economy to combat the environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution. It proposes a federal framework centered on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the phasing out of problematic single-use materials, and the correction of market incentives that currently favor virgin plastics over recycled alternatives. The roadmap also emphasizes environmental justice for frontline communities and the need for US leadership in global binding agreements to prevent plastic leakage and manage international waste trade.

The document outlines a proposal to ban four unnecessary plastic products by 2025 and phase out six others by 2030 in South Africa. A macroeconomic model indicates that these interventions would lead to positive outcomes in real GDP, employment, and wages compared to a business-as-usual scenario, despite a slight increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The report advocates for the South African government to support these measures in the negotiations for a global treaty to end plastic pollution.