UNEP report spotlights best alternatives to single-use plastic products
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published a report on single-use plastic products (SUPPs) and recommendations for alternatives, based on life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. UNEP defines SUPPs as “an umbrella term for different types of products that are typically used once before being thrown away or recycled,” including food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups, cutlery, and shopping bags.
The report titled, ‘Addressing Single-Use Plastic Products: Using a Life Cycle Approach,’ was prepared following a resolution adopted by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in March 2019 addressing SUPP pollution.
The Life Cycle Initiative undertook meta-analyses of LCA studies on SUPPs and their reusable and single-use alternatives. Each analysis highlights advantages and disadvantages of alternatives and summarizes messages for policymakers.
Based on the LCA studies, the report recommends:
- Promoting reusable products;
- Reducing the use of single-use products, irrespective of material;
- Considering geographical and social context;
- Promoting resource-efficient product design and circularity;
- Decreasing the environmental footprint of production;
- Opting for low-impact end-of-life scenarios; and
- Factoring in potential future scale-up and innovations.
Read more here.