A Practical Guide to Plastics Sustainability: Concept, Solutions, and Implementation is a groundbreaking reference work offering a broad, detailed and highly practical vision of the complex concept of sustainability in plastics. The book's aim is to present a range of potential pathways towards more sustainable plastics parts and products, enabling the reader to further integrate the idea of sustainability into their design process. It begins by introducing the context and concept of sustainability, discussing perceptions, drivers of change, key factors, and environmental issues, before presenting a detailed outline of the current situation with types of plastics, processing, and opportunities for improved sustainability. Subsequent chapters focus on the different possibilities for improved sustainability, offering a step-by-step technical approach to areas including design, properties, renewable plastics, and recycling and re-use. Each of these pillars are supported by data, examples, analysis and best practice guidance. Finally, the latest developments and future possibilities are considered. - Approaches the idea of sustainability from numerous angles, offering practical solutions to improve sustainability in the development of plastic components and products - Explains how sustainability can be applied across plastics design, materials selection, processing, and end of life, all set alongside socioeconomic factors - Considers key areas of innovation, such as eco-design, novel opportunities for recycling or re-use, bio-based polymers and new technologies

Available online: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:norden:org:diva-6180 A new report titled Possible elements of a new global agreement to prevent plastic pollution aims to develop global sustainability criteria for product design, providing the tools for governments to regulate national markets. Potential objectives and strategic goals are defined, a first structure for a potential new global agreement is outlined, and national implementation measures are identified to achieve the global goal of zero discharge of plastics into the environment. By addressing the issue at the design phase, all sources and pathways of marine plastic pollution can be addressed. Importantly, the existing weakness in the current framework on upstream and midstream activities of the plastics value chain can be addressed by providing robust national financial mechanisms that improve downstream activities in all countries.

Plastic items are a critical part of modern society and they are used in almost every aspect of our lives. One of the values of plastics for packaging and manufacturing articles is the strength and durability of the material, however, after use this durability means that the plastics remain after use and continue to accumulate in the environment indefinitely. This means that as we use more and more plastic, we will also discard an ever growing amount of plastic that will last for centuries. Today, plastics are disposed of in several ways including recycling, landfilling, incineration, composting and littering. In the US, recycling captures approximately 9% of plastics, we incinerate (burn) nearly 1% and we litter or compost less than a fraction of a percent. This leaves nearly 90% of plastic being discarded into landfills. Sustainability managers must be able to identify the most sustainable method for handling plastics after use. To be truly sustainable, we must understand what is the most environmentally and economically beneficial thing to do with plastic and embrace methods that will address the 90+ percent of plastic discarded in the landfill each year. Only by addressing these issues can we maximize our success in reducing plastic waste by creating value in the process; a system known as "Zero Waste."

In 2022, the United Nations adopted a historic resolution to craft an International Legally Binding Instrument to tackle plastic pollution. In line with this global initiative, Plastics in the Oceans explores plastic pollution in oceans, proposes solutions, and offers a sustainable strategy to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040.

Plastics show up in every area of our lives. They are durable, cheap and light, properties that make them attractive but also problematic for the environment. The focus of this book is not just to highlight the problem of plastics, its definition, and how plastic pollution is impacting human health and environment but also to look at some best practices in both nature based solutions and in the field of law and policies. The first section of the book focuses on plastic pollution – it’s origin, relationship to climate change, linear/circular economy, followed by sustainable plastics, scientific solutions, and how policies can address plastic pollution. This includes looking at better designs, more sustainable feedstocks, and partnerships between various stakeholders worldwide including USA, China, Canada, South Korea, Thailand. This book will interest those who are associated with the production industry, packaging industry, and waste management industry as well as, academicians, students and policymakers.

In 1907, a chemist named Leo Baekeland invented the first synthetic plastic. In the little more than 100 years since, plastic has benefited humanity even while we polluted Earth with it. During the 1950s, plastic production rapidly increased and since then, people have created billions of tons of plastic. Millions of tons of plastic enter the world's fragile oceans and ecosystems every year. This informative book examines the globally significant plastic pollution problem, how it became so bad, and the steps that governments, activists, and young people are taking to demand change.