Research and reports on single-use plastics
all in one place
These are a selection of research findings and reports on single-use plastics that we've found useful when informing our work. If you're as interested as we are in what people are saying about single-use, simply click on the download icon to access the files, grab yourself a coffee or a glass of wine and settle in for an interesting read!
July 2021
Based on a study by Circular Economy Portugal, this shows that under the right conditions, reuse can thrive in the EU, reducing environmental impacts and saving consumers and companies money.
Rethink Plastic
Authors
June 2021
The report takes a first step at mapping SUPs across the tourism value chain and provides practical and strategic recommendations for the sector.
Jo Hendrickx, Bojana Bajzelj, UNEP, WTTC
Authors
May 2021
Forever chemicals’ in disposable food packaging and tableware:an overview of the implications of PFAS exposure
for our health and our environment.
Arnika Association, CHEM Trust, BUND, Danish Consumer Council, Health and Environment Alliance Belgium, Tegengif, Générations Futures, IPEN
Authors
May 2021
The report identifies the companies that are producing the five primary polymers that generate the vast majority of global waste.
Minderoo Foundation
Authors
March 2021
A nudging strategy for reducing consumption of single-use disposable cups
One Planet Networks, NATUR VARDS VERKET
Authors
March 2021
Insights and examples to maximize the effectiveness of campaigns for sustainable plastic consumption
One Planet Network, Stockholm Environment Institute
Authors
March 2021
Critical points that policymakers should consider when developing policy to reduce SUP pollution
UNEP
Authors
June 2020
Insights, interventions and incentives to action from businesses and consumers in South-East Asia
Sea Circular, UNEP, FIA, AlphaBeta
Authors
June 2020
Bold ideas, ambitious objectives and a comprehensive action plan for tackling plastics in the economy
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, EF, McKinsey Centre
Authors
December 2020
An overview of increased impact of personal protective equipment on ocean pollution
Oceans Asia
Authors
January 2020
What the grocery sector is really doing about plastic packaging
Green Alliance
Authors
March 2020
A collection of 5 independent research reports on plastics in the Baltic Sea.
IUCN
Authors
May 2020
Unpacking the confusion of labelling on today's plastics & packaging
Consumers International, UNEP, One Planet Network
Authors
February 2019
The hidden costs of a plastic planet. Investigating the impacts upon human health from every stage of the plastic supply chain and life-cycle
Authors
CIEL, Earthworks, TEJAS, UPSTREAM, GAIA, Exeter University
February 2019
Providing guidance to businesses in the face of increasing acknowledgement of plastic as a global threat
Authors
WWF
October 2019
BThe number of business signatories has doubled to more than 200 in the first year since its launch. This report looks at progress to date
Authors
New Plastics Economy Global Committment
April 2018
Does plastic food packaging really solve the food waste problem? This report investigates whether it does more harm than good
Authors
Re-Think Plastic, Zero Waste Europe, Friends of the Earth
June 2018
The impact of plastics on the Mediterranean Sea and the opportunities to make positive change
Authors
WWF
June 2018
Investigating the impacts of plastic legislation in globl destinations. What has worked well, what hasn't worked and why?
Authors
UNEP
June 2017
A documented look into the litter that's washing up on global beaches, and which may turn you from a flusher to a binner
Authors
Ocean Conservancy
November 2017
The linear approach to plastic production and it's impacts on the environment force us to fundamentally re-think the plastic system
Authors
The Ellen McArthur Foundation
2017
A superb publication which clarifies expectations around the marketing of products made from bio based materials
Authors
The Euopean Bioplastics Organisation
2016
Detailed research into the true environmental costs of changing plastic for other 'greener' materials in the consumer goods market.
Authors
Trucost, part of SP Global