Abstract
In this paper, we overview policies for the reduction of single-use plastics throughout the world, especially Europe. Almost all of the EU member states have already introduced ban or levy policies on plastic carrier bags in order to meet the EU target of less than 40 bags per person per year by the end of 2025. The present issues are the scope and the policy instruments for a ban on microbeads and single-use plastics. There are more than sixty countries in the world that have introduced these ban or levy policies on plastic carrier bags. Recently Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and India began more comprehensive ban policies on single-use plastics. The Japanese government has shown its intention to address these issues by amending the Law for the Promotion of Marine Litter Disposal but has not yet built its action plan. The government is expected to soon take the big step toward eliminating single-use plastics.
