There are a number of things that governments can do to stem the toxic tide — from running public awareness campaigns, to offering incentives for recycling, and introducing levies or even banning certain plastic products outright.
Dozens of national and local governments around the world have already adopted policies to reduce the use of disposable plastic. And the number continues to grow. Here are some tide-turning national governments and city authorities: (from Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability and news outlets)
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New York
In 2015, single-use Styrofoam containers (EPS foam) were banned in New York City. Shortly after the ban came into effect, the city was sued by a coalition of recycling firms and plastic manufacturers, who claimed that Styrofoam is recyclable and proposed a recycling plan for the foamed plastic items.The ban was overturned that same year by a ruling of the New York Supreme Court but it was reinstated in 2017, following a report by the New York City Department of Sanitation, which found that it is not possible to recycle Styrofoam in a manner that is economically feasible or environmentally effective.The ban applies to all stores that sell or offer polystyrene packaging, and was reinstated with a six-month time window for retailers and customers to adapt to the new legislation. On Earth Day in April 2019, New York passed legislation banning single-use plastic bags. The law also imposes a five-cent fee on paper bags, with part of that going to the Environment Protection Fund and part helping to fund the distribution of reusable bags. The ban came into effect in March 2020.