Single-use plastic bans: research shows three ways to make them effective

Plastic bottles, cutlery, boxes and bags sold by takeaways dominate ocean litter. Richard Smith/Shutterstock

Governments around the world are introducing single-use plastic product bans to alleviate pollution.

Zimbabwe banned plastic packaging and bottles as early as 2010. Antigua and Barbuda banned single-use catering and takeaway items in 2016, and the Pacific island of Vanuatu did the same for disposable containers in 2018.