Plastic Ban Challenges explores the complexities surrounding single-use plastic bans as a solution to plastic pollution, moving beyond simple solutions to offer a nuanced perspective. It examines how these bans, while well-intentioned, often face industry resistance and may not always lead to the intended environmental outcomes. For example, the book highlights how banned plastics might be replaced with equally or more harmful alternatives, or that weak enforcement undermines the bans' effectiveness.
The book adopts a holistic approach, integrating legal, political, and environmental viewpoints. It begins by analyzing the legal frameworks of plastic bans across different regions, examining common elements such as targeted plastics and penalties for non-compliance. It then explores the political economy of industry resistance, including lobbying efforts and alternative material development. Finally, it evaluates the environmental impact using empirical data to assess whether bans truly reduce pollution or merely displace it.
This book is valuable for policymakers, environmental advocates, and industry leaders because it provides a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of plastic bans. By connecting environmental science, political science, and economics, Plastic Ban Challenges contributes to a more informed debate on environmental policy and the multifaceted nature of environmental regulation.
