Table 3 Plastics strategy and action of key OECD members

Countries in the European Union (EU)

Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive: Bans several SUP products having available sustainable alternatives, mainly food and beverage ware, containers made of expanded polystyrene, and cotton buds. Plastic Packaging Directive: Sets targets for reducing plastic packaging waste and increasing recycling rates (setting mandatory recycling targets). Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive: Requires producers to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their packaging waste (EPR: Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that hold producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products). Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 restricting synthetic polymer microparticles on their own or intentionally added to mixtures [157,158,159,160,161,162,163,164,165,166]

Japan

Resource Circulation Law: Promotes the "3Rs" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and EPR for plastic waste. Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Wastes Law: Sets recycling targets for specific materials, including plastics. Targets high recycling rates (particularly for PET bottles)[167]

Canada

SUP Prohibition Regulations: Bans specific SUP items (e.g., checkout bags, cutlery, straws, stir sticks). Policy Statement on Zero Plastic Waste: Outlines a strategy for reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling, including investments in innovation and infrastructure. Implements EPR programs [168]

USA

Relies mainly on state and local initiatives, with limited federal regulations (e.g. TSCA: The Toxic Substances Control Act [11]

California has banned SUP bags and implemented extended producer responsibility programs for plastic packaging [169]