Information Document for the preparation of guidelines to tackle single-use plastic items in the Mediterranean. Report for SCP/RAC 29 January 2021 1 Report for SCP/RAC Prepared by Chris Sherrington, Hara Xirou, Ayesha Bapasola, Hannah Gillie, Laurence Elliott, Tessa Lee, Eunomia Research & Consulting IKE Supervision: Pedro Fernández and Magali Outters, SCP/RAC Contributions: Ayman Rachid (Morocco), Fahmy AbdelRahman (Egypt), Marina Tomović, Azra Vucovic (Montenegro). Eunomia Research & Consulting IKE Tel: +30 210 7209614 Patroklou 1 & Paradeisou Web: www.eunomia.co.uk Athens 151 25 Greece This study and report was commissioned to Eunomia Research & Consulting IKE by the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC). SCP/RAC has an official mandate from the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention to engage in international cooperation with Mediterranean countries on the prevention of plastic pollution, including marine litter and in the development and innovation in the business sector. This report serves as Information Document in the process of development regional guidelines to tackle single-use plastic items in the Mediterranean region, led by SCP/RAC, following the request of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and as indicated in the MAP Programme of Work 2020-2021. Recommended citation Eunomia (2021). Information Document for the preparation of guidelines to tackle single-use plastic items in the Mediterranean. Report for SCP/RAC. Disclaimer Eunomia Research & Consulting has taken due care in the preparation of this report to ensure that all facts and analysis presented are as accurate as possible within the scope of the project. However no guarantee is provided in respect of the information presented, and Eunomia Research & Consulting, nor SCP/RAC, is not responsible for decisions or actions taken on the basis of the content of this report. 2 Contents Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Report Structure ....................................................................................................... 7 2.0 Regional Context ................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Extent and Nature of SUP Pollution in the Mediterranean .............................. 7 2.1.2 Sources and Pathways of Marine Plastic Pollution ........................................ 10 2.1.3 Overview of Regional Policy related to SUP Pollution .................................... 12 2.1.4 Scope of the Study .......................................................................................... 15 3.0 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 15 3.1 Overarching Approach ........................................................................................... 15 3.2 Selected Countries ................................................................................................. 16 3.3 Selected SUP Items ................................................................................................. 20 4.0 Baseline Situation for Representative Countries ................................................... 22 4.1 Production and Use of SUPs ................................................................................... 22 4.1.1 Greece ............................................................................................................. 22 4.1.2 Montenegro .................................................................................................... 23 4.1.3 Egypt ............................................................................................................... 24 4.1.4 Morocco .......................................................................................................... 25 4.1.5 Overview of Consumption per Capita ............................................................. 26 4.2 Current SUP Waste Management Practices ........................................................... 27 4.2.1 Greece ............................................................................................................. 27 4.2.2 Montenegro .................................................................................................... 28 4.2.3 Egypt ............................................................................................................... 30 4.2.4 Morocco .......................................................................................................... 32 4.3 Current SUP Policies ............................................................................................... 33 4.3.1 Greece ............................................................................................................. 33 4.3.2 Montenegro .................................................................................................... 35 4.3.3 Egypt ............................................................................................................... 36 4.3.4 Morocco .......................................................................................................... 37 3 5.0 Policy Measures ................................................................................................... 38 5.1 Availability of Alternative Solutions and Business Models .................................... 38 5.1.1 Types of SUP Alternatives ............................................................................... 38 5.1.2 Alternatives Selected for Modelling ............................................................... 40 5.1.3 Alternative Business Models to Increase Circularity ...................................... 40 5.2 Relevant Long list of Policy Measures .................................................................... 41 5.2.1 Case Studies .................................................................................................... 45 5.2.2 Selected Measures for Impact Modelling ....................................................... 46 6.0 Assessment Model ............................................................................................... 49 6.1 Model Methodology ............................................................................................... 49 6.2 Impact Assumptions ............................................................................................... 50 6.3 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 52 7.0 Impacts of the Measures ...................................................................................... 54 7.1 Environmental ........................................................................................................ 57 7.2 Economic ................................................................................................................ 61 7.2.1 Impacts on Producers ..................................................................................... 63 7.2.2 Impacts on Retailers ....................................................................................... 64 7.2.3 Impacts on Consumers ................................................................................... 65 7.2.4 Impacts on Public Authorities ......................................................................... 65 7.3 Social ...................................................................................................................... 66 8.0 Recommendations for Policy Guidelines ............................................................... 68 8.1 Improving waste collection/ separation is pivotal – particularly along coastal areas and waterways ...................................................................................................... 68 8.2 The use of Bans and levies to Maximise Effect ...................................................... 68 8.3 Ensure Implementation of DRS for Beverage Containers ...................................... 69 8.4 Implement Nationwide Potable Water/ Refill Systems ......................................... 70 8.5 Improve data availability and data collection ........................................................ 71 8.6 Maximise Sorting of Plastics from Residual Waste prior to Landfill/ Recovery ..... 72 8.7 Observations on the SUP Directive ........................................................................ 73 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................. 75 A.1.0 National Data Reports ............................................................................................ 76 A.2.0 Bio-based, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics ............................................ 80 4 A.3.0 Good Practice Case Studies .................................................................................... 84 A.4.0 Model Data ............................................................................................................. 89 A.5.0 Appendix: National Expert Report ....................................................................... 100 Key abbreviations BAU: Business As Usual DRS: Deposit Refund System EPR scheme: Extended Producer Responsibility scheme FTE: Full