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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Rwanda
In Rwanda, plastic bags used to clog drainage systems, hamper agricultural production and contaminate water sources. In 2008, the government banned the manufacture, use, sale and importation of all plastic bags. Paper bags replaced plastic ones and people also started to use bags made of cotton. Tax incentives were provided to companies willing to invest in plastic recycling equipment or in the manufacture of environmentally friendly bags. Over time, enforcement grew stricter and citizens became used to the regulation. In 2008, the capital Kigali was named the cleanest city in Africa by UN Habitat.