Policy and Legal Instruments to Combat Urban Plastic Pollution

Urban plastic pollution poses a severe environmental challenge, particularly in densely populated cities like Amsterdam, where an estimated 16,000 kg of plastic, including nearly 377,000 cigarette filters, enters the municipal water system annually. Because end-of-pipe cleanup efforts are insufficient to resolve the crisis, this report explores preventive, legal, and policy instruments designed to tackle plastic waste at the source and restrict its entry into public spaces and waterways. Developed by CircuLaw in collaboration with the AMS Institute, the study evaluates potential intervention strategies across European, national, and local policy frameworks.

The document analyzes the behavioral and spatial drivers of urban plastic waste, examining international best practices, such as Zero Waste initiatives, reuse models, and single-use plastic bans. To support municipal action, the report establishes an assessment framework evaluating interventions on potential reduction impact, municipal implementability, financial consequences, and legal feasibility. From a broad longlist, six key tools are shortlisted for local execution: integrating long-term circular goals into the spatial vision (Omgevingsvisie), embedding specific targets into spatial programs (Omgevingsprogramma), establishing inter-governmental water quality agreements via the Water Framework Directive (KRW), imposing single-use bans on restaurant terraces via spatial permits, enforcing stricter sustainability criteria for event permits, and leveraging Business Improvement Zones (BIZ) to accelerate local adoption.

The report concludes that while local governments face regulatory boundaries set by higher authorities, substantial scope exists to influence commercial and consumer behavior. It recommends a dual-track approach: prioritizing voluntary business collaborations and phased mandates at the front end of the supply chain, alongside targeted improvements to public waste infrastructure, terrace permits, and continuous data-driven monitoring.

The full report is available here. Please note that because this report was commissioned for the Municipality of Amsterdam, it is currently available only in Dutch. However, for any questions about the report, or if you would like information in English, please feel free to reach out at any time to project manager Francesca Alberti at francesca.alberti@ams-institute.org.