Search

This article examines how the Philippines' numerous legislations address the problem of single-use plastic pollution in accordance with the concepts of sustainable development. By examining scholarly and related literature on plastic manufacturing and use, plastic ban and restrictions, and other policies connected to plastic pollution, the study found that the national government agencies worked together to address a wide range of climate change solutions to significantly reduce plastic production as well as usage. Plastic usage regulations have been enacted in each of the 17 local government units that fall under Metro Manila's authority. Individual cities and municipalities, however, may impose varying restrictions due to the fact that their legislation may permit the inclusion of a large variety of different types of plastic compounds. Given this complexity, the rationale behind gradually reducing the consumption of single-use plastic products becomes paramount. Local government agencies require reliable data and effective programs to prevent plastic pollution as global plastic production grows. Regardless of their economic situation, more Philippine cities and municipalities are participating in projects that show their ability to have a global impact on environmental preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of plastic bag usage among secondary school students of Islamabad and to assess their knowledge about plastic bag-associated pollution, its disposal and legislation. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from December 2020 to December 2021 in high schools in Islamabad. A sample size of 377 was calculated through Raosoftware comprising 53.6% male and 46.4% female students. Ethical approval was taken with the number ERC/ID/47. A consecutive non-probability sampling technique was used. Inclusion criteria were students of the 8th to 10th class and those who gave consent and filled out the questionnaire. A properly structured questionnaire was used. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. A chi-square test of significance was applied for categorical variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About 97.6 % of the participants considered plastic as a contributory factor to environmental pollution and 67.6% used plastic bags as carrying materials. Awareness about alternatives like clothed bags was observed in about 85.9% of students. Regarding legislation, half of the study population opined that the community is responsible for banning plastic bags while the other half suggested that it's the responsibility of the Government. Significant p-value was observed between gender (0.036), age (0.000), education (0.000), knowledge about plastic hazards (0.01), health hazards (0.029) and usage of plastic bags. Conclusion: The usage of plastic bags was high among the students. Although they were well aware of the hazardous effects of plastic bags, most of them were routinely using plastic bags for daily activities. Different factors that were responsible for the higher usage of plastic bags included a lack of alternatives to plastic bags, easy availability, low cost and lightweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States is the world's second‐largest producer and consumer of plastics and the largest producer of plastic waste. Understanding the sources, drivers, and destinations of plastic production, consumption, and waste is critical for the United States to develop strategies toward a zero‐plastic pollution future. Here, we characterize the dynamic material flows and stocks of plastics in the United States for nearly seven decades (1950–2018) and project the future trajectories until 2050 under various scenarios on the basis of reduce, reuse, and recycle to explore pathways toward zero plastic pollution. Our estimation shows that 1479 MMt plastics were produced in the United States from 1950 to 2018, 75 MMt waste plastics were domestically recycled, 139 MMt virgin polymers were exported, and 9 MMt recycled waste plastics were imported. Currently, about 326 MMt of plastics still remain in the society as in‐use stock, most of which (63%) are in the construction sector. Plastic pollution would almost double from 37 MMt in 2018 to 86 MMt in 2050 if current consumption pattern and waste management remain unchanged. Single strategies (i.e., plastic bag ban and extended lifespan) could only contribute limited reductions (2%–12%) of plastics pollution, and would not be able to reverse the increasing trajectory of plastic pollution until 2050. Additional measures are needed, such as improving recycling and avoiding landfilling of plastic waste. Our analysis can provide critical insights to help the United States develop long‐term strategies to mitigate and eliminate plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem that plastic bags cause to the environment is one of the most significant environmental problems. Not much attention is paid to this problem on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and there is a gap where scientific research is concerned. In addition to mitigating this gap, the aim of this paper is to identify the basic factors which reduce the consumption of light (disposable) plastic bags using exploratory factor analysis. The results of the conducted analysis show that the development of environmental awareness, the availability of alternatives, social norms, and economic instruments that could be implemented in the future have a positive impact on the change in consumer behaviour on the territory of the Republic of Serbia when it comes to the use of plastic bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of society's most pressing problems, such as climate change, poverty, and waste, are categorized as "wicked" problems because they are seemingly resistant to change. Interventions designed to address these problems can produce unintended consequences, which then perpetuate the problem. Evaluating the effectiveness of such interventions is challenging and requires understanding of the social systems in which the problems are embedded. Multimethodology approaches can support such holistic understanding by combining different methodologies which complement and overlap with each other. This article reports on a study that combined two different methodologies—realist review and qualitative system dynamics. The result was a program theory for waste minimization interventions in Aotearoa New Zealand and a causal loop diagram, which allowed us to identify potential leverage points for change. The two methodologies highlighted different aspects of the problem in complementary ways. For example, the first program theory proposition emphasized the important role of people who were critically conscious of the need for sustainability, while the causal loop diagram showed that there needed to be enough critically conscious people for change to be embedded in the system. The program theory's third and fourth propositions noted the important role of leadership and resource allocation in shifting interventions away from waste management initiatives, such as recycling plastic bags, towards waste minimization initiatives, such as banning single-use plastic bags. The causal loop diagram demonstrated why resource allocation to waste management initiatives, such as recycling, are not effective in addressing the overall problem of waste by showing the feedback loops that operate in the system. Such insights show that realist reviews and qualitative system dynamics can usefully complement each other for greater understanding of wicked problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plastic bags (PB) has increased continuously over time because of their multipurpose property. Due to its environmental effects, Türkiye has approved a new law to limit the use of plastic bags. According to the approved Turkish plastic bags law (PBL), plastic bags of 15 microns or more are prohibited from being given to the customer free of charge. The new law's effects were investigated by applying a face-to-face survey consisting of 13 questions to 1537 people in four districts close to Mersin city center. In addition to that, field surveys were managed to the common markets in the target area. From the target sample, 159 males and 128 females had not bought the PB after the law. Whereas 184 males and 178 females had bought PB for 10 times or more. The monthly income has a weak correlation with the plastic bags purchasing times. Families with 1-3 capita, 4-6 capita, and larger families who never bought plastic bags have moderate negative correlations. Families with 4-6 capita and larger families have a significant strong positive correlation at the (P<0.01). It was found that people aged 50 years and over who participated in the survey were less aware of the negative impact of bag use on the environment than younger ones. Garbage plastic bag consumption has not increased as expected. The managed field surveys proved that. The results from the surveys showed a decrease in PB consumption with a ratio between (60-80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since January 1, 2020, Thailand has implemented a campaign to stop giving free single-use plastic bags in 75 major retail stores. This study aims to (1) understand the status quo and effectiveness of the plastic bag ban campaign by estimating the number of plastic bags used in Bangkok and Phuket (2) understand the consumers' behavioural on plastic bag consumption and management by integrating a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) model (3) provide policy recommendation to strengthen the country plastic waste management roadmap. The results showed that the ban on plastic bag campaign is effective, especially in the supermarkets and convenience stores in Bangkok. The numbers of plastic bags used per visit at supermarkets and convenience stores are approximately 1.9 bags and 1.7 bags, respectively, whereas the plastic bags used at fresh markets, restaurants, and food delivery services are, on average, up to 3.7, 3.1, and 2.8 bags per visit, respectively. On average, people in Bangkok use approximately 1.2 bags/person/day, while only 0.7 bags/person/day are used in Phuket. According to the KAP model, attitude is more crucial than knowledge towards pro-environmental behaviour. Bangkok residents' trend to show more pro-environmental behaviour than Phuket residents. For policy implication, it is important to continuously communicate the environmental impact of plastics and emphasise the proper knowledge and attitudes toward plastic bags among people to encourage their cooperative behaviours in reducing the use of plastic bags and sorting waste for recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the board's role in overseeing the dynamic materiality of ESG risks. It discusses the challenges posed by ESG risks, such as climate change, and the impact on companies' financial performance, cost of capital, and reputation. It emphasizes the need for boards to enhance their oversight of ESG risks through effective enterprise risk management (ERM) systems.

As the levels of plastic use in global society have increased, it has become crucial to regulate plastics of all sizes including both microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). Here, the published literature on the current laws passed by the US Congress and regulations developed by various federal agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could be used to regulate MPs and NPs have been reviewed and analyzed. Statutes such as the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Air Act can all be used to address plastic pollution. These statutes have not been invoked for MP and NP waste in water or air. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides guidance on how the FDA should evaluate plastics use in food, food packaging, cosmetics, drug packaging, and medical devices. The FDA has recommended that acceptable levels of ingestible contaminant from recycled plastic are less than 1.5 µg/person/day, which is 476 000 times less than the possible ingested daily dose. Plastic regulation is present at the state level. States have banned plastic bags, and several cities have banned plastic straws. California is the only state beginning to focus on monitoring MPs in drinking water. The future of MP regulation in the USA should use TSCA to test the safety of plastics. The other statutes need to include MPs in their definitions. For the FDA, MPs should be redefined as contaminants—allowing tolerances to be set for MPs in food and beverages. Through minor changes in how MPs are classified, it is possible to begin to use the current statutes to understand and begin to minimize the possible effects of MPs on human health and the environment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:474–488. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are largely absent from regulatory statutes.The typical American ingests 467 000 times the recommended acceptable daily dose of recycled plastic.Both the science of MP and NP research and regulatory policies must be addressed to solve the plastic crisis.By redefining MPs as toxic or contaminants, these particles can use the existing statutes for regulatory purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste pollution remains a major problem across the developing world. In Vietnam, the situation is particularly serious as many plastic consumption behaviours remain under-analysed and pertinent policies have produced limited impact. Accordingly, this paper examines the patterns and predictors of consumer plastic bag use when shopping in Da Nang, Vietnam. It does so by drawing on an original household survey and key informant interviews. Moreover, it applies the latest behavioural theory research and machine learning techniques. Subsequently, this paper observes Vietnamese consumers' plastic bag use is prevalent and often entrenched as a habit. Additionally, two socio-demographic and seven socio-psychological predictors are significant to the frequency of using plastic bags. These results, then, inform Vietnam's plastic consumption policies and, more broadly, emphasise the (1) heterogeneity of influences on consumer behaviour; (2) contingency of many widely-accepted behavioural predictors; and (3) shortcomings of purely regulatory solutions. • Effective plastic consumption policies are necessary to generate sustainable consumer behaviour. • Machine learning techniques are used to examine the determinants of Vietnamese consumers' plastic bag use. • Two socio-demographic and seven socio-psychological predictors were significantly associated with plastic bag use. • Many consumers showed resistance to following plastic bag bans. • Targeted multi-dimensional consumer behaviour reforms ought to be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how banning the use of plastic carryout bags at grocery stores affects where and what people purchase to eat. Using quasi‐random variation in local bag ban adoption across California and two data sources (retail scanner data and consumer survey data), I show that banning plastic carryout bags shifted some food sales away from regulated grocery stores toward unregulated grocery stores and restaurants. Specifically, I find that bag bans cause a 1.8% decline in food‐at‐home sales and a 1.9 percentage point increase in consumers' food‐away‐from‐home expenditure share. The decline in food‐at‐home sales is larger in jurisdictions more likely to experience cross‐border shopping, whereas the increase in food‐away‐from‐home expenditures is larger farther from jurisdiction borders. Together these results suggest that a small share of consumers find a way to bypass the bag bans—either by cross‐border shopping if near a border or by shifting to restaurants if not near a border. Heterogeneity analyses reveal the policy effects are strongest for those with higher incomes, those under 65 years, and those with young children, suggesting both income effects and time constraints as mechanisms behind the behavioral change. By quantifying consumer avoidance behaviors, these results enable policymakers to more accurately measure the impacts of their regulations and to understand the potential trade‐offs between their environmental and public health objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Packaging & Food Machinery is the property of Packaging & Food Machinery Magazine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The concern over plastic contamination has led to bans on plastic shopping bags, often replaced by paper ones. However, logos painted or printed on paper bags may still contain plastics, as investigated herein. In some logos, for example, white pigment of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles are bound with plastic binder onto the cellulose surface of the paper. This hybrid of plastic and nanoparticle is examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to characterise morphology physically, and Raman imaging to identify and visualise them chemically. Raman imaging scans the sample to separate images and identify not only plastic but also the co-formulated pigment. The scan generates a hyperspectral matrix containing hundreds to thousands of spectra, and subsequent analysis can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. Decoding the hyperspectral matrix using chemometrics like principal component analysis (PCA) can effectively map plastic and pigment separately with increased certainty. The image can be further refined through 3-dimensional surface fitting for deconvolution, providing direct visualisation of the plastic-nanoparticle hybrid at a density of approximately 7.3 million particles per square millimetre. Overall, caution should be exercised when using paper bags, as they may not be entirely free of plastics. Raman imaging proves to be an effective method for identifying and visualising complex components, including plastics and nanoparticles. The concern over plastic contamination has led to bans on plastic shopping bags, replaced by paper alternatives. However, some logos on paper bags may still contain plastics, which is investigated to confirm the presence of plastic-nanoparticle hybrid using SEM and Raman imaging. By employing decoding algorithms such as PCA to separately map plastic and pigment, and utilising 3D surface fitting to deconvolute the image, the hybrid plastic-nanoparticle is estimated at a density of approximately 7.3 million particles per square millimetre. It's important to exercise caution and not assume these items are plastic-free. This aspect of plastics may have been overlooked as another potential source of contamination. [Display omitted] • paper bags might be not plastic-free at logo area. • hybrid structures of plastic-nanoparticle of TiO 2 is estimated at ∼7.3 million/mm2. • Raman imaging via hyperspectral matrix can increase signal-to-noise ratio. • principal component analysis (PCA) can separately map the plastic and pigment. • Gaussian surface fitting towards deconvolution can further increase signal-to-noise ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on environmental problems such as polluted oceans, toxic rivers, and extinction of species pop up everywhere. Topics include the challenges of the environmental crisis accelerate, governments are searching for solutions to reduce the negative impact of economic activity that threatens communities, regions, and society as a whole, and the regulation is a common response to restrict harmful consumer and corporate behavior.

The article reports on the winners of the 2022 SCI Canada Awards will be honoured at an in-person awards ceremony in Toronto, with Robert B. Magee to receive the prestigious SCI Canada Medal. It mentions that this event will bring together key members of the chemical and industrial community to celebrate the achievements of both the SCI Canada Award Winners and Student Merit Award Winners.

Although the ban on plastic bags is gaining in prominence as a policy option to manage plastic bag litter, there are mixed views on its rationale and effectiveness. This study employs a systematic literature review to understand considerations, benefits and unintended consequences of banning plastic bags. The review's results pointed to the limited success of a plastic bag ban owing to lack of suitable alternatives, limited state capacity to monitor and enforce the ban, thriving black market, structural and instrumental power of the plastic industry. The power of the industry was manifested by the covert practice of deflecting accountability to consumers by focusing on business-oriented solutions, including an inclination towards self-regulation. The findings of this study underscored the need for a global treaty to address the transient nature of plastic bag litter and moving away from the symbolic gesture of targeting only plastic shopping bags but considering the environmental impact of all forms of plastic such as straws, foamed plastics, plastic bottles and caps. There is a general consensus in literature that the end of plastic shopping bags is not nigh due to their utilitarian benefits. This study therefore recommends the promotion of a circular economy focusing on ecological modernisation, sustainable plastic bag manufacturing and recovery strategies such as recycling as a long-term strategy. A significant strand of literature reviewed also recommends the adoption of community-driven approaches such as voluntary initiatives as opposed to a plastic bag ban as they proved to be effective in promoting environmental citizenship behaviours in countries such as Finland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to investigate acceptability of different delivery methods in e-grocery and to show the direction of e-grocery development desired by consumers. Design/methodology/approach: For the purposes of the article, qualitative research (FGI) was carried out, the research sample consisted of 36 participants differing in terms of age and purchasing routines. The research was conducted on Polish citizens, and due to the prevailing pandemic, the interviews were conducted online. In addition, the authors analyzed the literature on the subject, which helped to distinguish and describe the methods of delivery. Findings: The conducted qualitative research proves that the most friendly and known form of delivery is door-to-door delivery. High hopes are placed in the development of stationary parcel machines (with different cooling zones) for perishable products. Drones have been recognized as a solution for the future that is currently not adapted to the needs of the present and is not covered by legal standards. Similar concerns were highlighted in the case of an unmanned mobile refrigerator. Receiving online purchases in a stationary store is a kind of a compromise between online shopping with delivery and traditional grocery shopping carried out entirely in the store. Moreover, older groups of interviewees emphasized the issue of online shopping safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. The youngest group of interviewees emphasized ecological factors such as reducing the carbon footprint as an important issue of e-grocery purchases, and perceived the use of too large packaging (too much plastic) as a minus. Originality/value: The expectations of the demand side as to the method of delivering e-grocery purchases were examined. The advantages and disadvantages of individual solutions for the delivery of perishable products purchased online were indicated, according to the assessment of representatives of different age groups with different purchasing routines (division into stationary and non-stationary shoppers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Plastic pollution is a global concern with adverse consequences on the environment. • Ban policies has recently drawn the attention of governments to regulate plastic. • We analyze consistency of stated and revealed preferences for plastic bag ban. • Inconsistencies reduced with regulation experience and pro-environmental behavior. This paper exploits individual-level data before the implementation of a national policy to understand the factors driving avoidance of plastic consumption and explore potential inconsistencies between revealed and stated preferences for a plastic bag ban policy. We estimate a bivariate ordered probit model that allows us to account for a potential correlation between these types of preferences. The data reveals that while 71% of respondents take a reusable bag for shopping, only 58% of the sample state to strongly agree with prohibiting plastic bags. We find that gender, age, environmental concerns, environmental efforts, participation in environmental causes and pro-environmental behavior determine avoidance of plastic consumption, but no effects are found for being in favor of the prohibition. We also find inconsistencies decrease for individuals demonstrating higher pro-environmental behavior in related domains. This indicates waste management policies may benefit from local grounded knowledge from related environmental initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of goods associated with negative environmental externalities may decrease consumption of the targeted product, but may be ineffective at reducing the externality itself if close substitutes are left unregulated. We find evidence that plastic bag bans, the most common disposable bag regulation in the U.S., led retailers to circumvent the regulation by providing free thicker plastic bags, which are not covered by the ban. In contrast, a regulation change that replaced the ban with a small tax on all disposable bags generated large decreases in disposable bag use and overall environmental costs. Our results suggest that narrowly defined regulations (such as plastic bag bans) may be less effective than policies that target a more comprehensive set of products, even in the case when the policy instrument itself (a tax rather than a ban) is not as strict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic reduction policies are important for addressing plastic pollution however, the success of such policies relies on establishing new social norms. This study advances knowledge on public expressions of social norms by exploring the interplay between news media and social media in response to a new environmental policy. It is the first study to explore this phenomenon with the explicit aim of identifying and comparing information related to social norms. A content analysis was conducted in relation to the 2018 Australian supermarket plastic bag ban. Results demonstrate how social norms related to a new policy are created, reinforced and expressed in the contemporary media landscape. The interaction between news media and social media offers a window into public expressions of social norms, where social media provides a platform for civic participation in a public and real-time environment in which users can challenge the dominant narrative presented by the news media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society's use of plastic is increasing, while the ability to properly manage plastic waste is decreasing. In response, improved waste management systems and the adoption of reusable products made from sustainable materials are needed. Municipal governments in the United States are beginning to institute policies reducing unlimited free access to plastic products such as bags, straws, and Styrofoam. However, some state governments in the Great Lakes region, and elsewhere, have responded by making these pro‐environmental policies illegal. Such policies shift the onus of using less plastic to local businesses and conscious consumers. In response, this project sought to determine the effectiveness of a plastic bag ban, supported by targeted education and outreach, at several local businesses in northeast Ohio. Results suggest that the initial implementation and non‐enforcement phase of the bag ban did not lead to a reduction in the use of plastic bags. However, survey respondents indicate they are supportive of policies reducing accessibility and unlimited availability of plastic bags. Results further show most people have access to their own reusable bags and support businesses who charge for, or no longer offer, plastic bags. In conclusion, voluntary reduction of bag use by customers is not effective and store policies or legislation is needed to reduce the use of plastic bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First study to report role of "bag bans" on retail return polyethylene contamination. • 1.4 – 2.8x increase in post-"bag ban" contamination from concentration effect. • 43-category contamination speciation increases understanding of the material stream. Plastic films are abundant, but seldom recycled in the United States (US). It is both economically and operationally challenging to recycle plastic films because their light weight makes accumulating material difficult. Additionally, films are not allowed in most curbside recycling programs in the US because they tangle around equipment used at material recovery facilities (MRFs) and effect a MRFs' ability to effectively sort other materials. As a result, the only recycling pathway for post-consumer plastic films in the US is retail return collection programs. Currently, only the most abundant type of post-consumer plastic film, polyethylene (PE), is accepted by these programs in the US. Although PE films come in many forms, grocery bags are the most well-known, and therefore most abundant, film in the retail return recycling stream. The New York State (NYS) Plastic Bag Waste Reduction Law prohibits the distribution of single use plastic bags. This work explored how ending the distribution of grocery bags impacted retail return recycling programs for PE films in Western New York. We show that a loss of the most recognizable and abundant PE film results in a 1.4 – 2.8x increase in contamination rates, devaluing films that are still collected. As a result, increased contamination rates may threaten the viability of this recycling pathway. The study also provides a complete speciation of this recycling stream with a novel level of detail, as existing research on this recycling pathway is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic carry bags are increasingly seen as environmental hazards that threaten human and animal welfare, rather than being modern conveniences. Environmental impacts resulting from improper disposal of plastic bags have been well documented in the literature. To overcome these impacts, many countries around the globe have taken actions either to ban or limit the use of plastic bags. Likewise, in Mauritius, a regulation banning the use of plastic bags was introduced in 2016. Whether this regulation has been successful in stopping the usage of banned plastic bags or not, is the overall objective of the present study. The study was conducted on the Mauritian population. It equally investigated: the quantity of plastic bags utilized before and after regulation; the alternatives to plastic bags used; the level of awareness on environmental and health impacts resulting from indiscriminate disposal of plastic bags; and the perception of the regulation. 65% of the respondent population claimed that the regulation has failed to prohibit the usage of banned plastic bags. A statistical test result supported that the extensive plastic bags users have less preference for alternatives to plastic bags such as cloth bags. The study further examined the possible reasons for the failure and proposes recommendations for the complete banning of plastic bags in Mauritius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of review of literature is to place a research project in an historical perspective so that unnecessary duplication can be avoided. In the present study, the concept of smart city has been first of all discovered as defined in the extant literature. Then the environmental concerns in smart cities as discussed in extant literature have been enumerated. Further, the importance of solid waste management as elaborated in extant literature has been reviewed. Finally, plastic waste and its contribution to solid waste in smart cities and socio economic impact of banning plastic bags in smart cities have been discovered. The main question that has arisen out of the review of extant literature on plastic waste as a threat to environmental sustainability in smart cities is: 'what is the perception of population in a smart city towards consumption of polythene bags?' There are however three more related questions which have been identified in the present study. There are a few research questions which have been identified from the extensive review of extant literature on plastic waste as threat to environmental sustainability in smart cities created a scope for further research in the subject. It is however proven from the present study that plastic waste is unquestionably a threat to sustainable environment which is a key characteristic of any smart city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several countries have imposed either a ban or a tax on single-use plastic packaging, motivated by their contribution to marine plastic pollution. This may lead consumers to opt for similar unregulated substitutes, potentially undermining or even counteracting the intended effect of the policy instrument. The purpose of this study is to theoretically and empirically compare the environmental and welfare effects of the first-best Pigouvian taxes on both plastic bags and a substitute (paper bags), with two alternative second-best policy instruments: a tax on plastic products alone, and a common uniform tax on all packaging materials. The empirical analysis accounts for two different types of environmental externalities from the use of both bag types: marine pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It also compares results for two countries, Denmark and the USA, which differ in the demand for plastic and paper bags. The theoretical analysis shows that a unilateral tax on plastic bags should equal the marginal environmental damage of plastic bags minus a fraction of the marginal environmental cost of paper bags, hence being lower than the Pigouvian tax. The optimal common tax should equal a weighted average of the marginal environmental damage of the two bag types and would be lower than the Pigouvian tax on plastics if the marginal external cost of plastic bags exceeds that for paper bags. The empirical analysis shows that for default parameters, the variation in tax level across the studied scenarios is small. It also shows that if Pigouvian taxes cannot be implemented, a common uniform tax on both bag types would result in a higher welfare gain than a tax on plastic bags alone. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the level of the second-best taxes and their associated environmental and welfare impacts are sensitive to assumptions regarding the littering rate and decay rate of plastic bags in the marine environment. • A separate tax on plastic bags leads to substitution towards unregulated products. • Both plastic bags and substitutes cause marine pollution and GHG emissions. • We estimate first and second-best environmental taxes on plastic and paper bags. • Pigouvian taxes on both plastic and paper bags yield the highest welfare effect. • A uniform tax on all bags yields higher welfare than a single tax on plastic bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on plastic waste management in the Dikkowita fishery harbour in Sri Lanka. Plastic bottles and polythene packaging are identified as the primary sources of plastic waste accumulation. Inadequate waste disposal methods are also observed. The study reviews successful policy frameworks worldwide, including extended producer responsibility, plastic bag bans, and Pay-As-You-Throw systems. Insights from case studies in other harbours and ports are incorporated. The study explores implementing a circular economy approach, considering Sri Lanka's specific challenges. The recommendations aim to guide policymakers and stakeholders in effectively managing plastic waste, reducing its negative impacts, and promoting sustainable resource utilisation. Further details on the study methodology, key findings (such as specific amounts of plastic waste), and policy measures for improving plastic waste management in fishery harbours could be incorporated for a more comprehensive study presentation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper investigates the daily single-use plastic waste generation by Hanoi households and offers recommendations to improve existing policy gaps in Vietnam. • Most plastic shopping bags are temporarily reused to line kitchen bins among Hanoi households. • Most single-use plastic waste is disposed of in landfills, while recycling remains limited. • Plastic shopping bags and plastic packaging for food are used more often in rural areas than in urban areas on average. • Policies such as a tax on plastic bags and source separation are in place, but implementation is inconsistent. Marine plastic litter, mostly comprising single-use plastics, has been recognised as one of the world's most urgent environmental concerns, and Vietnam has been ranked as one of the top five countries polluting the ocean with plastic waste. This paper examines Hanoi as a case study on single-use plastic by households, investigating the daily generation of single-use plastic waste through a survey, assessing existing policy gaps through a policy review, and providing recommendations on improving management along the supply chain in Vietnam. At almost 27 times a week on average, plastic shopping bags were found to be the most prevalent single-use plastic used by households, followed by wrap/film, straws, coffee cups with plastic lids, cutlery, takeout containers, food packaging, party cups, bottles for water and beverages, and other items. Plastic shopping bags and food packaging are used more often in rural areas than in urban areas. These bags also have a high rate (68.65%) of temporary reuse as kitchen bin liners, a habit that may be difficult to change over the short term. Apart from some components of plastic bottles and packaging that are sold for recycling, most single-use plastic waste is disposed in landfills. Policies are in place to address plastic issues, such as a tax on plastic bags and source separation, but implementation is inconsistent. A behaviour-based combination of top-town and bottom-up approaches along the entire supply chain is recommended to improve existing policy gaps in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Surveyed same retailers thrice; before, a month after and a year after the ban. • A month after; use of plastic bag reduced, reusable bag surged, no effect in total bag. • A year after; plastic bag reduced but not the reusable bag—total bag use reduced. • Expected fine and its effect reduced a year after the ban as compared to a month after. • Enforcing ban reduces plastic bag immediately, but reducing the total bag takes time. • Long term enforcement of ban can reduce the bag related waste in municipalities. Banning single-use plastic bags is a popular policy intervention among cities in developing countries such as Nepal. While the policy marks some success in curbing plastic bag usage, it confronts two major challenges. First, the effect of the ban often dilutes and becomes ineffective over time. Second, bag leakage could occur as customers switch to unregulated plastic bags and create more pollutants. Using three rounds of retailer-level panel data from the Dharan Municipality of Nepal, this study finds evidence to support both contentions. The usage of plastic bags slows down initially but rises subsequently as the subjective probability of being caught for using banned plastic bags reduces with time. One year after the ban, an increase in the expected fine does not increase the use of reusable bags but significantly reduces that of banned plastic bags. These results show that the ban does help reduce the total bag use in the short term but requires continued monitoring and enforcement to be effective in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]