Conceptualizing the Transnational Regulation of Plastics: Moving Towards a Preventative and Just Agenda for Plastics. Issue 2 (2nd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Hope; Nay, Zoe; Maguire, Rowena; Barner, Leonie; Payne, Alice; Taboada, Manuela
• Is Part Of: Transnational environmental law. Volume 11:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2022-07-02
• Subjects: International plastics regulation -- Transnational environmental regulation -- Plastics; Environmental law, International -- Periodicals; 344.046
• DOI: 10.1017/S2047102521000261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-1025

Abstract

Abstract: This article categorizes and evaluates how regulatory regimes conceptualize plastics, and how such conceptualizations affect the production, consumption, and disposal of plastics. Taking a doctrinal and policy-oriented approach, it identifies four 'frames' – that is, four distinct and coherent sets of meanings attributed to plastics within transnational regulation – namely, plastics as waste to be managed; a material to be prevented; a good (or waste) to be traded freely; and inputs or outputs in production-consumption systems. Based on this analysis, three significant deficiencies in the transnational regulation of plastics are identified: the failure to frame plastics in terms of environmental justice and human rights issues; insufficient focus on plastics prevention (rather than management); and the role of law in reinforcing its production and consumption.