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Reduce, Reuse, Reshape - Evaluating EU Policies on plastic for sustainable transition of plastic packaging system to align with the 3Rs

Bazaz, Parisa LU (2023) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20231
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
The global surge in plastic production, particularly single-use packaging, has triggered pressing environmental and health concerns. Addressing this crisis necessitates transformative shifts within the plastic packaging system, prioritizing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastic packaging. The European Union (EU) has initiated a Plastic Strategy to combat the plastic issue. This study evaluates whether these policies promote the 3Rs and instigate transformative changes in the plastic packaging sector. The result reveals that current policies predominantly emphasize recycling, sidelining reduction and reuse strategies. Policy measures primarily encourage incremental innovations, rather than initiating comprehensive systemic changes.... (More)
The global surge in plastic production, particularly single-use packaging, has triggered pressing environmental and health concerns. Addressing this crisis necessitates transformative shifts within the plastic packaging system, prioritizing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastic packaging. The European Union (EU) has initiated a Plastic Strategy to combat the plastic issue. This study evaluates whether these policies promote the 3Rs and instigate transformative changes in the plastic packaging sector. The result reveals that current policies predominantly emphasize recycling, sidelining reduction and reuse strategies. Policy measures primarily encourage incremental innovations, rather than initiating comprehensive systemic changes. Transformation-inducing policies like taxation and regulatory bans receive less attention, requiring further research to gauge their potential impact. The study recommends four areas for enhancement for policy: prioritizing consumption reduction, developing robust reuse programs, diversifying policy instruments, and introducing more disruptive policy measures. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bazaz, Parisa LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Circular Economy, recycling, Creative destruction, sustainability science, plastic pollution
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2023:042
language
English
id
9139906
date added to LUP
2023-10-11 16:50:02
date last changed
2023-10-11 16:50:02
@misc{9139906,
  abstract     = {{The global surge in plastic production, particularly single-use packaging, has triggered pressing environmental and health concerns. Addressing this crisis necessitates transformative shifts within the plastic packaging system, prioritizing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastic packaging. The European Union (EU) has initiated a Plastic Strategy to combat the plastic issue. This study evaluates whether these policies promote the 3Rs and instigate transformative changes in the plastic packaging sector. The result reveals that current policies predominantly emphasize recycling, sidelining reduction and reuse strategies. Policy measures primarily encourage incremental innovations, rather than initiating comprehensive systemic changes. Transformation-inducing policies like taxation and regulatory bans receive less attention, requiring further research to gauge their potential impact. The study recommends four areas for enhancement for policy: prioritizing consumption reduction, developing robust reuse programs, diversifying policy instruments, and introducing more disruptive policy measures.}},
  author       = {{Bazaz, Parisa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Reduce, Reuse, Reshape - Evaluating EU Policies on plastic for sustainable transition of plastic packaging system to align with the 3Rs}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}