Assessing the Impact of Government Policies on Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics: An Industry-Level Analysis

The rising concern over the environmental impact of single-use plastics has led governments worldwide to implement stricter measures aimed at reducing their usage. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these government policies by assessing the response of various industries and the corresponding changes in plastic pollution over time. The primary objective is to offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders to enhance the effectiveness of existing regulations and improve compliance management systems. Through an industry-level analysis, this paper leverages a comprehensive dataset on global plastic pollution and production data across key sectors to measure the impact of policy interventions in reducing plastic waste. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network is employed to model the dynamics of policy enforcement, industry adaptation mechanisms, and the lagged responses observed across different industries. The results reveal significant disparities in how industries respond to new regulations—some adopt innovative practices, while others struggle with compliance. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to refine regulations and for industries aiming to align with sustainability goals. Ultimately, the research contributes to the literature on sustainable development by examining the interplay between environmental policies and industry practices.