Differences in Regulations Regarding Packaging
With the rising concern for environmental issues and climate change, global consumers are more worried about the packaging industry. In response, new regulations regarding packaging sustainability, encouraging the redundancy of packaging waste, have emerged on a worldwide basis. However, these regulations vary considerably by region, rendering the packaging policies inequitable since noncompliance could result in a tax increase or penalties. These differences in regulations arise due to several factors. The first factor is the lack of globally established terminology. For example, recycling can have a different meaning, leading to a variable intensity of impact on the industry (Cherel-Bonnemaison et al., 2022). Another factor is the novelty of the regulations, resulting in uncertainty regarding undefined scopes, action plans, and targets (Cherel-Bonnemaison et al., 2022). The geographical picture can vary as well, enabling the creation of different regulations at federal, state, and city levels (Cherel-Bonnemaison et al., 2022). As such, the differences in countries’ regulations regarding packaging sustainability are unfair and inequitable to the industry.
Among the four archetypes of countries based on their development of packaging sustainability regulations, identified by Cherel-Bonnemaison et al. (2022), Qatar belongs to the fourth one. According to Qatar Foundation (2020), the country is considering a holistic strategy, including behavior nudging, policy changes, the ban on single-use plastics, replacing plastic bottles, and promoting environmental awareness programs, among other policies. The strategy presents clear targets that are to be reached by 2030, pushing forward the sustainability agenda and advancing the well-being of its community (Qatar Foundation, 2020). The description of this national plan considering packaging sustainability fits the fourth archetype presented by Cherel-Bonnemaison et al. (2022) by setting clear milestones supported by detailed targets and structured mechanisms.
References
Cherel-Bonnemaison C., Feber D., Leger S., Letoffe A., & Nordigården D. (2022). Sustainability in packaging: Global regulatory development across 30 countries. McKinsey & Company Publishing.
Qatar Foundation. (2020). Reducing single-use plastic waste in education city: A case study. Author.