Plastgränsen

Plastgränsen is a term used in Swedish environmental policy discourse to describe a proposed boundary for plastics within the economy and the environment. It is intended to function as a limit on the amount of virgin plastic production and plastic waste that can enter ecosystems, drawing on the planetary boundaries framework to emphasise ecological risk and resilience.

Definitions of Plastgränsen vary. Some formulations envision a legally binding cap on annual virgin plastic production, others a cap on total plastic leakage to nature, and still others a holistic boundary that combines production, consumption, waste management, and recycling performance. The common aim is to reduce plastic pollution, conserve resources, and accelerate a transition to reuse and recycled materials.

Origins and usage: The term gained prominence in Swedish policy debates and academic and NGO discussions during the 2010s and 2020s. It is used more as a framing device than as a formal policy, informing approaches to recycling targets, extended producer responsibility schemes, and bans on certain single-use items.

Policy implications: If adopted in some form, Plastgränsen could guide setting targets, inform regulatory design, and influence investment in waste management infrastructure and material design. Effective implementation would require clear metrics, transparent monitoring, and international coordination to avoid leakage across borders.

Criticism and challenges: Critics argue that setting a boundary risks oversimplification or uneven burdens on industry and consumers. Others highlight measurement challenges, data gaps, and the risk of shifting responsibility rather than reducing plastic use. Proponents stress that it can catalyze innovation and a faster transition to a circular economy.

See also: Plastic pollution, Circular economy, Extended producer responsibility, Planetary boundaries.