The exponential growth of plastic production and consumption in recent decades has had serious negative impacts on the environment and human health. Plastic pollution has a significant impact on natural habitats and wildlife. The most visible effects of plastic waste are the swallowing, choking and entanglement of hundreds of marine animals (IUCN, 2021).

At EU level, a number of specific policy measures have been taken to reduce plastic pollution. The European single-use plastics directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular the marine environment, and on human health. EU rules on packaging and packaging waste cover both packaging design and packaging waste management. In addition, the EU is working to combat the growing amount of microplastics in the environment.

A new international instrument to combat plastic pollution is currently being negotiated at global level. United Nations member states have begun drafting the text of the convention, which will lead to a legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution in the near future. The new instrument is expected to tackle plastic pollution by addressing the entire life cycle of plastic, to reduce mismanagement of plastic and prevent plastic from entering the environment.

At the Belgian level, the three regions have already started implementing some of these European policies, although more remains to be done. The federal government has implemented the European directive on single-use plastics. The Belgian regions should adopt a specific strategy to combat plastic pollution, combining awareness, regulation, innovation and international cooperation.