Groundbreaking Resource Tackling the Plastic Peril

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Plastic Law, an overview of laws designed to tackle the growing problem of disposable plastic, along with a library of court decisions addressing the problem.

The world is drowning in single-use plastic, yet manufacture and use of plastic around the world is growing. National Geographic reports: “About 8 percent of the world’s oil production is used to make plastic and power the manufacturing of it. That figure is projected to rise to 20 percent by 2050."

ELAW launched Plastic Law in response to a call for action from grassroots advocates around the world seeking to advance and enforce laws that rein in plastic -- from the design of plastic products to final disposal.

ELAW U.S. is a member of the Break Free From Plastic movement and appreciates the support of BFFP members who have contributed to our new Plastic Law website.

“This new online resource will provide advocates around the world with the background they need to advance strong laws to reduce plastic and promote more sustainable solutions,” says Jen Gleason, ELAW Law Program Director. “We had our soft launch last month and are already learning that partners are using Plastic Law to advance their work.”

The problem starts at corporate headquarters where decisions about the cheapest way to design and distribute products are being made, without considering the costs shouldered by communities and our shared environment. This leaves it to communities and local governments to pay the price of collecting and disposing the plastic container that was used once before it became garbage. In addition, most plastic begins as a fossil fuel, so plastic production and the burning of plastic waste contributes to climate change.

Please visit Plastic Law, and read more about our work Tackling Plastic Waste in the winter issue of the ELAW Advocate.

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide