Closing the Intention-Action Gap: Behaviorally-Aligned Strategies for Effective Plastic Pollution Reduction

Abstract

This brief provides an overview of existing or proposed policies that aim to mitigate plastic pollution in four countries across the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Jamaica), as well as how a behavioral framework can be used to analyze and develop effective plastic pollution mitigation policies. At times, policy efforts do not always produce the desired outcomes, resulting in an intention-action gap, which is a disconnect between policy intentions and the everyday behavior of stakeholders. This brief highlights behaviorally-aligned recommendations to reduce the impact of plastic waste and pollution. The ultimate goal of this policy brief is to provide policymakers an insight into behaviorally-aligned policy perspectives to address plastic pollution in their respective countries.