Earth Action (EA) conducted a study on the global costs and benefits of banning and phasing out problematic plastic products. The analysis was built upon the Plasteax database, a comprehensive resource covering trade, consumption, and production data of plastic materials.  

This study models six global policy scenarios, comparing an unregulated business-as-usual (BAU) trajectory with a range of bans and phase-outs covering EPS food packaging, PS/PVC/EPS packaging, and single-use plastics like cutlery, straws, and stirrers. 

Key findings include: 

• Business-as-usual (BAU) would cost over $10 trillion by 2040 in combined social, public, and private costs. 

• Global bans could reduce plastic consumption by up to 224 million tons and mismanaged waste by 74 million tons. 

• All regulatory scenarios, including those with extended timelines for low- and middle-income countries, result in net savings – up to $8 trillion compared to BAU. These savings are significant, amounting to over double India’s GDP and almost hafl of China’s.  
• Government and private sector transition costs are modest in comparison to the long-term benefits, especially from reduced waste management burdens. 
  
  

For more information, visit www.e-a.earth or contact contact@e-a.earth.