Regional Solutions: Export Measure for Plastic Recyclables to Reduce Marine Plastic Pollution in the Pacific

Abstract

While widely acknowledged to be a global problem due to its complex causes and effects, marine plastic pollution presents distinct regional challenges for Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). In this context, there is significant scope to devise regional solutions, to complement global and national measures, and thereby address some of the gaps in the currently fragmented international legal landscape. After taking stock of national, regional and international measures, this paper considers such opportunities for regional responses to the export of recyclable plastics by PICTs to incentivise ongoing collection of these wastes and reduce the potential for generation of marine pla..