End Plastics
5 Countries on 5 Continents Doing Plastic Policy Right
July 23, 2025
While many countries have some form of legislation to combat plastic pollution, in some countries using a plastic bag can even land you with a hefty chunk of jail time. That’s right, in Kenya, someone caught manufacturing or using plastic bags could face up to four years in prison.
Although this measure might seem extreme to some, the fact is that across sub-saharan Africa alone, a soccer field’s worth of waste is burned or dumped every minute of the day. Amongst the many other health consequences of plastics, burning plastic can disrupt neurodevelopment and negatively impact reproductive and endocrine systems.
But as countries battle to stop the rising tide of plastic waste, a few nations stand out for their innovative and proactive solutions. Today, we are featuring five countries across five continents who are leading the charge to end the era of plastics.
Rwanda
Rwanda became one of the first countries to take serious action on the plastic waste crisis, implementing a ban on single-use plastic bags and bottles in 2008. Violators caught carrying plastic bags can expect a $60 USD fine. As a result, the capital, Kigali, is considered the “cleanest city in Africa” and keeping the city spotless has become a central part of the city’s ethos.
On the last Saturday of every month, Rwandan citizens aged 16-65 are required to participate in an act of community service. The program known as Umuganda, often involves community trash clean-ups amongst other social and environmental service efforts. By integrating the value of environmental conscientiousness into community efforts, Rwanda is paving the way for us all to tackle plastic pollution.
France
Chances are when you head to the local supermarket, a large portion of the produce you buy will come wrapped in plastic. With products like oranges and mangoes already conveniently encased in peels, nature’s wrapping paper, the idea of using an added plastic casing is nonsensical.
In France, produce like these and many others are now completely plastic-free thanks to a new law that came into effect in 2022, banning plastic packaging on 30 types of fruit and vegetables. Even the produce stickers placed directly on food items, which are usually made from plastic, must now be made of compostable material.
Cheers to plastic-free produce!
Australia
As a federal system like the United States, the plastics policy landscape in Australia is somewhat similar, as individual states have significant power to take action on plastics.
However, unlike the United States, all states and territories in Australia have some form of plastic ban, albeit with varying degrees of strength.
The data surrounding plastic bans in Australia has shown promising results. In the state of Queensland, litter audits conducted in the year following the state implementation of a plastic bag ban found a 70% reduction in plastic bag litter.
A unique aspect of Australia’s plastic policy has been the proactive role of private companies. In 2018, two of the largest supermarket chains in Australia, Woolworths and Coles, self-imposed a ban on plastic bags in their stores. This decision resulted in a 80% decrease in plastic bag consumption across Australia. With the vast majority of Australians concerned about the plastic crisis in their country, it is no wonder that governments and private companies alike are getting behind the popular movement to end plastic pollution.
Chile
Chile was the first country in Latin America to ban single use plastics, with a 2022 law targeting all single-use products including plastics. Over three years, the country committed to gradually phasing out all single-use materials in the food and beverage industries, including plastic cups, stirrers, straws, and takeout containers.
As the longest country in the world stretching along thousands of miles of coastline, and the second largest producer of plastic in Latin America behind Mexico, the country has a significant role to play in protecting our oceans and lands. With this law, Chile took a bold first step to eliminating a product responsible for an astounding 70% of litter on beaches worldwide.
Having said that, Chile remains a significant plastic producer and exports to developing nation such as Peru, where waste management infrastructure may be limited, increasing the risk of marine pollution. This contradiction — promoting progressive environmental legislation at home while contributing to plastic circulation abroad — reflects the central challenge faced by many countries: balancing short-term economic gains through manufacturing and trade with long-term environmental sustainability.
Let’s hope Chile takes the next step in its war on plastics and stops producing it too!
Canada
In 2021, the Canadian Federal Government listed plastics as a Schedule 1 toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. This decision gave the government further authority to regulate the substance, providing the legal basis for a plastics ban gradually phasing out the sale, use, and manufacture of plastic bags, straws, stirrers, cutlery, takeout containers, and ring carriers.
While Canadians currently can find their streets and stores free of much plastic litter, a coalition representing plastics industry giants Imperial Oil, NOVA Chemicals Corporation, and Dow Chemical Canada filed a lawsuit debating the constitutionality of listing plastic as a toxic substance. Despite the numerous negative impacts of plastics on human health, the plastics lobby won the case, representing a significant blow to Canada’s forceful plastic regulations.
Since the Canadian government appealed the decision, the plastic ban is still in place for now, but the results of the appeal case could jeopardize the current plastic bans, bringing Canada back to square one in the plastic waste crisis. The Canadian case shows that the plastics lobby will not go down without a fight, but collective action with our environment and future in mind is forcing many countries to reevaluate their ties to the plastics industry.
What You Can Do at Home to Push Forward Bold Plastic Policy
As countries around the world push forward consequential plastics legislation, sound plastic policy is desperately needed in the United States. The good news is, we know what solutions work to stop the plastic waste crisis. Now, it’s up to us to urge Congress to put people over the plastics lobby.
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