Policy and advocacy
Laws, treaties and campaigns that change the rules for everyone.
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Organization
5 Gyres Institute
Santa Monica, California, USA | Founded 2009
Science-led nonprofit that measured plastic in all five subtropical ocean gyres and uses that research to drive policy and corporate change.
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Research
A growing plastic smog, now estimated to be over 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the world’s oceans
Eriksen, M. et al. (5 Gyres Institute) | PLOS ONE | 2023
A 40-year time series showing a steep rise since 2005, and a call for binding global action rather than voluntary measures.
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Law or Bill
Basel Convention plastic waste amendments
International | In force since January 2021
Since 2021, shipments of mixed or contaminated plastic waste between countries need the prior consent of the importing country.
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Organization
Basel Convention Secretariat
Geneva, Switzerland
Its plastic waste amendments, in force since 2021, require consent before hard-to-recycle plastic waste is shipped between countries.
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Organization
Beyond Plastics
Bennington College, Vermont, USA | Founded 2019
US policy project that pairs plastics research with model legislation and training for local advocates.
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Organization
Break Free From Plastic
Founded 2016
Global movement of thousands of organizations; its brand audits identify which companies’ packaging is found most often in the environment.
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Law or Bill
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (US Congress)
United States | Introduced, not enacted
Proposed federal bill for national producer responsibility, a bottle deposit and a pause on new plastic plants. Introduced in several sessions; not enacted.
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Organization
Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty
Companies, financial institutions and NGOs, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, asking for harmonised global rules.
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Law or Bill
California AB 2253 (recycled content claims)
California, USA | On the Governor’s desk; decision due by 30 September 2026
Would require any product claiming recycled content to back the claim with documented, certified recycled content from 2030. Opposed by Bill Shireman, author of California’s bottle bill, in a featured viewpoint.
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Law or Bill
California SB 1053 (plastic checkout bags)
California, USA | In effect since January 2026
Ends the sale of thick “reusable” plastic film bags at checkout from 1 January 2026, closing a loophole in the state’s earlier bag ban.
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Law or Bill
California SB 54 (Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act)
California, USA | In implementation; full targets by 2032
The most ambitious US packaging law: 25 percent source reduction of plastic packaging and 65 percent recycling of single-use plastic by 2032.
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Law or Bill
Chile single-use plastics in food service (Law 21.368)
Chile | In force, phased
Restricts single-use plastic in restaurants and food delivery and promotes refillable drink bottles; builds on Chile’s 2016 producer responsibility law.
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Organization
CIEL (Center for International Environmental Law)
Washington, DC and Geneva
Legal experts tracking the plastics treaty and the health impacts of plastic across its life cycle.
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Organization
Circular Action Alliance
Producer responsibility organization that runs packaging EPR programs on behalf of brands in several US states.
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Law or Bill
Colorado HB22-1355 (Producer Responsibility Program for Recycling)
Colorado, USA | Operating; fees since January 2026
Packaging EPR law that funds statewide recycling access; producer fees began in January 2026.
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Technology
Deposit return systems and reverse vending
Proven at national scale
A small refundable deposit on drink containers, collected back through machines or shops, routinely returns more than 90 percent of bottles and cans.
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Organization
EndPlasticSoup (Rotary)
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Founded 2018
Rotary movement started by Amsterdam clubs in 2018 that mobilizes Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs worldwide to end plastic soup by 2050.
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Organization
ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group)
Rotary Action Group that supports clubs on environmental projects; home of the Plastic Solutions Taskforce and EndPlasticSoup.
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Law or Bill
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
European Union | Applies since 12 August 2026, with later phase-ins
Sets EU-wide rules for recyclable design, recycled content, reuse targets and labelling for all packaging.
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Law or Bill
EU Single-Use Plastics Directive
European Union | In force; bans since 2021, tethered caps since 2024
Bans single-use plastic items that have alternatives, such as cutlery, plates, straws and foam food containers, and requires tethered caps.
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Research
Evaluating scenarios toward zero plastic pollution
Lau, W. et al. (Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ) | Science | 2020
Modelled every major intervention together and found that combining reduction, substitution, better collection and recycling could cut plastic flows to the ocean by about 80 percent by 2040. The basis of the report “Breaking the Plastic Wave”.
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Law or Bill
France AGEC anti-waste law
France | In force since 2020, phased measures
Sets a path to end single-use plastic packaging by 2040, bans plastic around most fruit and vegetables, and requires microfibre filters in new washing machines.
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Organization
GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives)
Network of grassroots groups building zero waste cities and fair work for waste pickers, as an alternative to burning plastic.
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Organization
Global Plastic Action Partnership
Hosted by the World Economic Forum; helps countries build national plastic action roadmaps with government, business and civil society.
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Research
Global Plastics Outlook
OECD | OECD Publishing | 2022
OECD projections of plastic use, waste and leakage by country and sector, with policy scenarios to 2060.
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Law or Bill
Global Plastics Treaty (UN negotiations)
International | Negotiations resuming; next formal session expected March 2027
A legally binding treaty on plastic pollution across its full life cycle, under negotiation since 2022.
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Organization
High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution
Group of countries, co-chaired by Norway and Rwanda, pushing for a treaty that covers the full life cycle of plastic, including production.
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Law or Bill
India ban on identified single-use plastics
India | In force since July 2022
Bans the making, sale and use of a list of low-utility single-use items, such as plastic cutlery, straws and thin carry bags, from July 2022.
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Organization
IUCN
Gland, Switzerland
International Union for Conservation of Nature; runs plastic programmes with island and coastal states. EarthX is an IUCN member.
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Law or Bill
Kenya plastic bag ban
Kenya | In force since August 2017
One of the world’s strictest bag bans (2017), later extended to single-use plastics in protected areas.
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Law or Bill
Maine LD 1541 (Stewardship Program for Packaging)
Maine, USA | In implementation; stewardship organization still being selected
First US packaging EPR law (2021), reimbursing municipalities for recycling costs.
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Law or Bill
Maryland SB 901 (Packaging and Paper Products Producer Responsibility)
Maryland, USA | Early implementation; payments expected from 2028
Packaging EPR law enacted in 2025 that allows more than one producer responsibility organization.
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Law or Bill
Mexico City single-use plastics ban
Mexico City, Mexico | In force
Banned plastic bags in 2020 and many single-use items such as cutlery, straws and cups in 2021.
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Organization
Minderoo Foundation
Perth, Australia
Publishes the Plastic Waste Makers Index, which traces single-use plastic back to the companies that produce the polymer.
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Law or Bill
Minnesota HF 3911 (Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act)
Minnesota, USA | Early implementation
Packaging EPR law enacted in 2024 with reuse and reduction goals; producers cover at least half of costs from 2029.
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Organization
Ocean Conservancy
Washington, DC, USA
Runs the International Coastal Cleanup, whose volunteer data on what washes up has shaped bans and product redesigns around the world.
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Organization
OECD Environment Directorate
Paris, France
Publishes the Global Plastics Outlook, the most cited economic projections of plastic use, waste and leakage to 2060.
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Law or Bill
Oregon Bottle Bill
Oregon, USA | In force since 1972
America’s first container deposit law (1971), still one of the highest-performing deposit systems in the country.
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Law or Bill
Oregon SB 582 (Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act)
Oregon, USA | Operating; first fees July 2025
Packaging extended producer responsibility law; producers began paying fees in July 2025.
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Law or Bill
Panama City rivers, mangroves and bay cleanup plan
Panama City, Panama | Under way; 425 days of work
A US$4.8 million, 425-day program by the Alcaldía de Panamá to clear waste from the Matías Hernández and Río Abajo rivers, mangroves and the Bay of Panama shoreline. 534 tons removed by 12 September 2026.
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Law or Bill
Panama plastic bag ban (Law 1 of 2018)
Panama | In force
Panama became the first country in Central America to ban single-use polyethylene bags, relevant to our Bocas del Toro projects.
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Law or Bill
Pending state packaging EPR bills (New Jersey, Illinois and others)
Several US states | Pending
New Jersey is seen as the most likely next state; bills were also filed in Illinois, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Michigan. New York’s bill failed again in June 2026 and Massachusetts’ lapsed in July 2026.
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Organization
Plastic Pollution Coalition
Founded 2009
Alliance of organizations, businesses and individuals working for a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts.
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Organization
Plastic Soup Foundation
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Founded 2011
Amsterdam advocacy group focused on microplastics, human health and education, and a reference partner for Rotary’s EndPlasticSoup.
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Research
Plastic Waste Makers Index
Minderoo Foundation | Minderoo Foundation | 2021, updated 2023
Traces single-use plastic waste back to the companies producing the polymers and the banks financing them.
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Organization
Product Stewardship Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Tracks and helps design extended producer responsibility laws across US states, including packaging.
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Law or Bill
Rwanda single-use plastics law
Rwanda | In force
Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2008 and most single-use plastic items in 2019, and co-chairs the High Ambition Coalition.
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Organization
Surfrider Foundation
San Clemente, California, USA | Founded 1984
Coastal network whose chapters win local bag and foam bans and certify Ocean Friendly Restaurants that drop single-use plastic.
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Law or Bill
Texas: no statewide bag law
Texas, USA | Local bag bans preempted since 2018
Context for our Dallas network: in 2018 the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Laredo’s bag ban was preempted by state law, which ended local bag bans across Texas.
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Research
Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy
UN Environment Programme | UNEP | 2023
UNEP’s roadmap: accelerate reuse, recycling and substitution, and it estimates plastic pollution could fall by 80 percent by 2040.
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Law or Bill
UK Plastic Packaging Tax
United Kingdom | In force since April 2022
Tax on plastic packaging with less than 30 percent recycled content, in force since April 2022.
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Organization
UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
Nairobi, Kenya
Hosts the negotiations for a global plastics treaty and runs the Clean Seas campaign, which One Earth One Ocean has partnered with since 2018.
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Organization
Upstream
Champions reuse over single-use and helps cities and restaurants switch to reusable foodware.
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Law or Bill
US Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015
United States | Law since December 2015
Federal ban on plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, prompted by research that included 5 Gyres’ Great Lakes sampling.
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Law or Bill
US Save Our Seas 2.0 Act
United States | Law since December 2020
Federal law (2020) that strengthens marine debris response, funds research and supports international cooperation on ocean plastic.
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Law or Bill
Washington SB 5284 (Packaging and Paper EPR)
Washington, USA | Early implementation
Packaging EPR law enacted in 2025; producer registration was due in July 2026 and the program starts later this decade.
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Organization
WWF: No Plastic in Nature
WWF’s global plastics programme, working on the treaty, extended producer responsibility and reuse systems.
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Organization
Zero Waste Europe
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels network helping European cities cut waste and shaping EU packaging and reuse rules.