Action Plan is a comprehensive, time-bound strategy document that specifies the concrete steps, responsible parties, resource allocation, and measurable milestones required to achieve single-use plastic (SUP) phase-out objectives. This includes detailed implementation timelines, key performance indicators (KPIs), and contingency measures to address potential challenges in transitioning away from SUP dependence.

Baseline Assessment defines a rigorous, data-driven evaluation process that quantifies a business’s current single-use plastic footprint across all operational areas. This includes: (1) comprehensive audits of SUP types, volumes, and procurement sources; (2) mapping of plastic flows through operations; (3) identification of usage hotspots; and (4) establishment of verifiable metrics that will serve as reference points for measuring reduction progress against certification tier requirements.

Bioplastics includes a broad category of plastic-like materials derived either wholly or partially from renewable biological resources (plant starches, cellulose, algae) rather than fossil fuels. Key subcategories include: (1) Bio-based non-biodegradable plastics (e.g., bio-PET); (2) Bio-based biodegradable plastics (e.g., PLA, PHA); (3) Fossil-fuel-based biodegradable plastics (e.g., PBAT). Critical considerations include land-use impacts of feedstocks, end-of-life processing requirements, and potential contamination of recycling streams.

Carbon Footprint constitutes the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an entity’s activities, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). For plastics, this encompasses emissions from: (1) raw material extraction and processing; (2) manufacturing and transportation; (3) use-phase impacts; and (4) end-of-life treatment. The carbon footprint of SUPs is particularly significant due to their typically fossil-fuel origins and low utilization rates before disposal.

Certifying Body is the accredited institution(s) responsible for administering the SUP phase-out certification program. Key functions include: (1) reviewing and approving certification applications; (2) conducting compliance audits; (3) maintaining the preferred suppliers database; (4) providing capacity-building support; and (5) enforcing accountability measures. In Pacific Island contexts, this role is typically fulfilled by National Tourism Organizations working in partnership with environmental agencies and regional bodies like SPREP.

Climate Change Adaptation: The process of adjusting tourism operations and infrastructure to actual or expected climatic changes and their impacts. For SUP reduction, this involves: (1) selecting alternative materials resilient to changing temperatures/humidity; (2) designing systems that account for increased storm frequency/intensity; (3) ensuring waste management infrastructure can withstand climate stressors; and (4) developing contingency plans for climate-related disruptions to supply chains of sustainable alternatives.

Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a model where local communities maintain substantial ownership and control over tourism activities, ensuring benefits are equitably distributed. When implementing SUP reductions, CBT principles require: (1) participatory decision-making with local stakeholders; (2) procurement prioritization of community-produced alternatives; (3) cultural appropriateness of substitute products; and (4) reinvestment of cost savings into local environmental initiatives.

Container deposit/return schemes (CDS) are designed to incentivise the return of containers (for example) for reuse/ refill, repair, and recycling. Often, a deposit is built into the price of a product which is refunded to the consumer on return of the empty container. This applies to various types of containers, including stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and plastic. The refundable deposit is reimbursed at convenient collection points such as supermarkets or reverse vending machines.

Cultural Heritage Preservation: The protection and respectful interpretation of tangible (artifacts, buildings) and intangible (traditions, knowledge) cultural assets. When phasing out SUPs, considerations include: (1) respecting traditional material uses; (2) ensuring alternatives align with cultural practices; (3) involving indigenous knowledge in solution design; and (4) using SUP reduction as an opportunity to revive traditional, sustainable packaging methods where appropriate.

Energy efficiency is the minimisation of energy needed to produce goods while maintaining functionality and quality. The plastics sector is recognised as a high-energy consumption sector. With energy efficiency measures, such as shortening supply chains by buying locally, it is possible to reduce energy costs and lower overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the plastics supply chain.

Essential use approach determines whether the use or function of a material is necessary for the health, safety and/or functioning of society. The essential use approach could be adapted to develop essential use/essentiality criteria to support single-use plastic phase-outs. Parties could apply for time-bound exemptions if they can provide sufficient evidence that the product is necessary for health and safety or is critical for the functioning of society and if there are no alternatives that are acceptable from the perspective of human health and the environment.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) involves producers taking responsibility for the management of products after they become waste, including collection; pre-treatment, e.g., sorting, dismantling or de-pollution; (preparation for) reuse; recovery (including recycling and energy recovery) or final disposal. EPR could also be designed to ensure producers are responsible for the full life cycle of their products, including all externalities such as financial and environmental costs to communities.

Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) is a principle that ensures businesses partner with, and obtain, and regularly review informed consent from local communities and stakeholders, particularly Indigenous communities, prior to implementing SUP reduction initiatives that may affect them.

Greenhouse Gases (GHG) defines eat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), that contribute to climate change by increasing global temperatures. The plastics sector is a significant emitter of GHGs due to fossil fuel extraction, production, and waste management processes. Reducing plastic use and improving energy efficiency can lower GHG emissions

Interpretation Products outlines educational materials (e.g., signage, brochures, digital content) designed to inform guests and stakeholders about plastic pollution, its impacts, and sustainable alternatives. Interpretation products can support behavior change and encourage participation in waste reduction initiatives.

Integrated Waste Management is a comprehensive approach to waste handling that prioritizes reduction, reuse, recycling, and safe disposal. Businesses should adopt integrated waste management strategies to minimize single-use plastic waste and improve resource recovery.

Legacy Plastics includes existing plastic waste that persists in the environment for decades or centuries due to slow degradation rates. Legacy plastics include macroplastics (e.g., bottles, fishing gear) and microplastics that accumulate in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, causing long-term harm to wildlife, habitats, and human health. These plastics often fragment into smaller particles but do not fully biodegrade, releasing toxic additives and contributing to ongoing pollution. Addressing legacy plastics requires remediation efforts, such as clean-up initiatives and policies to prevent further accumulation.

Prevention principle is based on the rationale that environmental damage is best avoided rather than repaired. Applying the ‘no-harm’ rule of the prevention principle, means parties are obligated to ensure that single use plastics do not cause significant harm beyond their jurisdiction or control.

Procurement Baseline is the initial assessment of a business’s current single-use plastic usage, including types, quantities, and sources. This baseline serves as a reference point for measuring future reductions and developing SUP reduction policies and action plans.

Recycled plastics have been referred to as the ‘fig leaf’ of the global plastics crisis because, globally, only 9% of plastics have ever been recycled. Collection and sorting continue to present seemingly insurmountable challenges in most locations, and plastics cannot be infinitely recycled. Even the most recyclable resin type (PET) has to be disposed of after approximately seven cycles. At each cycle, virgin resin and additives are added to maintain the integrity of the final product. Therefore, plastics are linear, not circular materials. As a result of additional chemicals included and microplastics shedding at each cycle, recycled plastics are more toxic and otherwise hazardous for human and environmental health than virgin plastics.

Reusable plastics are products designed for multiple uses to reduce waste generation. Businesses should promote reusable systems (e.g., refillable containers) as a key strategy in single-use plastic reduction.

Standards are frameworks or criteria used to assess sustainability performance, such as certifications for plastic-free operations or eco-labeling for products. Standards help businesses measure progress and ensure credibility.

SUP Procurement Reduction Policy is a business’s documented principle of action to phase out single-use plastic procurements, including targets and timelines.

Waste Diversion – The redirection of waste from landfills through recycling, composting, or reuse. Businesses should aim for high waste diversion rates to minimize single-use plastic disposal.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) defines Indigenous and local community knowledge about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable resource management. TEK can inform nature-based solutions and culturally appropriate plastic reduction strategies.

Sustainable Tourism is tourism that balances economic benefits with environmental protection and social equity. Reducing single-use plastics is a critical component of sustainable tourism practices.

Alternative Products constitutes non-plastic or improved plastic solutions designed to replace single-use items while maintaining functionality. These encompass: (1) reusable products made from durable materials like stainless steel or silicone; (2) biodegradable materials that break down naturally under specific conditions; (3) compostable items that decompose into non-toxic organic matter; and (4) innovative material solutions such as algae-based packaging or edible utensils. All alternatives must demonstrate reduced environmental impact across their full lifecycle compared to conventional SUPs.

Biodegradable is a material characteristic indicating the capacity to undergo biological decomposition by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under specific environmental conditions. Importantly, biodegradation: (1) requires appropriate temperature, moisture, and microbial activity; (2) timeframes vary significantly (weeks to years); (3) does not necessarily imply non-toxicity – some biodegradable plastics leave harmful residues; and (4) must be verified through standardized testing protocols (e.g., ISO 14855).

Brand Audit Guide is a methodological framework enabling businesses to systematically evaluate all plastic packaging and branded materials through an environmental lens. The process involves: (1) inventorying all plastic touchpoints with customers; (2) assessing necessity and reduction potential; (3) identifying over-packaging opportunities; (4) evaluating alternative delivery models (e.g., refill stations); and (5) developing phase-out timelines aligned with certification tier requirements.

Certification Framework is comprised of a multi-tiered accreditation system specifically designed for Pacific Island tourism businesses to progressively eliminate single-use plastics through four developmental stages: Tier 1 (baseline establishment), Tier 2 (35% reduction), Tier 3 (70% reduction), and Tier 4 (100% elimination by 2035). The framework provides: standardized assessment criteria; verified monitoring methodologies; technical assistance resources; and third-party verification protocols to ensure credibility and regional consistency.

Circular economy is an economic system where materials are designed and used to remain in the economy for as long as possible, thereby eliminating all waste and pollutants. Instead of a linear production-use-dispose method, the circular system involves waste prevention and designing out non-circular and toxic materials, sharing, leasing, reusing, refilling, repairing, refurbishing, repurposing, composting, and remanufacturing.

Climate Change Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions associated with tourism operations. In the context of SUP phase-outs, key strategies include: (1) transitioning to low-carbon alternative materials; (2) optimizing logistics to minimize transport emissions; (3) implementing energy-efficient waste processing; and (4) selecting suppliers with verifiable carbon reduction commitments. Mitigation efforts should be quantified and reported against international standards like the GHG Protocol.

Compostable includes materials that undergo biological degradation under specific controlled conditions (temperature, humidity, microbial presence) to yield CO2, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with other compostable materials, leaving no visible, distinguishable or toxic residues. Industrial compostability (typically requiring 50-60°C) is distinguished from home compostability, with only the latter being viable for most Pacific Island communities lacking industrial composting infrastructure.

Degradable Plastics defines plastic materials engineered to break down through chemical, biological, or photodegradation processes. Important distinctions include: · Oxo-degradable: Fragment into microplastics through oxidation (not recommended) · Hydro-degradable: Water-soluble polymers · Bio-degradable: Enzymatic breakdown by microorganisms All degradable plastics require specific environmental conditions to decompose completely and must be carefully evaluated to avoid creating microplastic pollution or disrupting existing waste management systems.

Environmental Impact considers the effect of human activities on ecosystems, including pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. Businesses should assess and mitigate their environmental impact to reduce harm to biodiversity and natural systems.

Emergency Response Plan Template: Guides businesses in responding to environmental emergencies like plastic spills.

Fair Trade defines an equitable international trade partnership model that ensures producers in developing countries receive fair wages and work under safe conditions. Fair trade principles can be applied to the procurement of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, ensuring ethical sourcing and social responsibility.

Hazardous Waste constitutes waste that poses substantial risks to public health or the environment due to its chemical, biological, or physical properties. Some plastic waste, including certain additives and contaminated plastics, may be classified as hazardous and require special disposal methods to prevent harm.

Full life cycle approach is an environmental strategy that considers the environmental impacts of plastic materials throughout their entire lifespan, from the extraction of raw materials, production, packaging, distribution, use, maintenance, recycling, reuse, disposal or incineration, recovery and remediation.

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is a formal body established by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) to develop an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The INC brings together member states, observers, and stakeholders to negotiate terms for reducing plastic production, improving waste management, and addressing the full lifecycle of plastics. The committee aims to create a global framework that harmonizes policies, sets measurable targets, and promotes cooperation to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.

Just transition is the process of moving away from unsafe and unsustainable single-use plastics by developing creative policies that promote economic and employment opportunities high on the zero-waste hierarchy and that involve representatives of diverse sectors and backgrounds.

Locally Sourced includes products obtained from nearby suppliers to reduce transportation emissions, support local economies, and minimize supply chain environmental impacts. Businesses can prioritize locally sourced alternatives to single-use plastics to enhance sustainability.

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) Microplastics are small pieces of plastic with their longest dimension ≤ 5 mm (1). They originate from multiple sources, broadly subdivided as primary (manufactured ≤ 5mm) and secondary (generated by wear or fragmentation of larger plastic items). Nano plastics are a subcategory of microplastics with a size ranging between 1 nm and 1 μm.

Partnership Agreements (PWA) The business advocates for and engages in a PWA between tourism industry associations (national and regional) and government departments. The PWA may establish a) the terms and conditions of the collaboration between stakeholder partners; b) the objectives of the partnership, roles and responsibilities, and decision-making strategies; c) conflict resolution or prevention strategies and approaches; d) and strategic working arrangements.

Plastic chemicals are the organic polymers (large molecules made from repeating units, often derived from plant extracts or fossil fuels) used in the production of all plastics, including plastic alternatives. While these polymers provide the main structure of plastics, additives are also commonly used to enhance properties like strength, colour, and flexibility. Impurities and residues can also be present, which can sometimes have unknown effects on humans and the environment.

Preferred Suppliers Directory includes a list of suppliers offering safe and sustainable SUP alternatives and substitutes, curated by businesses based on evidence-based guidance from the Toolkit to support SUP procurement phase outs.

Procurement involves every activity related to obtaining the goods and services a company needs to support its daily operations, including sourcing, negotiating terms, purchasing items, receiving and inspecting goods as necessary, and keeping records of all the steps in the process.

Procurement Policy is a formal commitment by a business to sustainable procurement practices, including the phase-out of single-use plastics and the prioritization of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Retention and Advancement – The process by which businesses apply to maintain their current certification tier or progress to a higher tier. This is subject to review and approval by the certifying

Single-use/short-lived plastics: Single-use plastics (SUP) (also known as short-lived plastics) are plastic items intended to be used only once or designed with short average use cycles of between 0.5 and 3 years before they are discarded or enter waste management systems.

Substitutes/Non-plastic substitutes are non-plastic materials and products used to substitute plastic items. The term should be applied to entire products as many products are made of a combination of materials and chemicals and sometimes a combination of biomass and fossil fuel sources. Some substitute products may contain harmful substances, such as new and recycled paper and board food contact materials that contain toxic substances, including some per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and plasticisers.

Sustainable Procurement is the practice of purchasing goods and services with minimal negative environmental and social impacts. Businesses should prioritize suppliers offering safe, durable, and low-impact alternatives to single-use plastics.

Zero-waste and zero-waste hierarchy. The zero-waste approach involves the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials without burning them and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human capital health. The zero-waste hierarchy is the progression of policies and strategies to support the zero-waste system, from highest and best to lowest use of materials. Prevention, reduction, redesign, refill, reuse, repair, repurpose and remanufacture all sit at the top of the zero-waste hierarchy.

Upcycling is the transformation of waste materials into products of higher value or quality. Upcycling can extend the lifespan of materials and reduce reliance on virgin plastics.

Target Setting is the process of establishing measurable and achievable goals for reducing single-use plastic procurements. Targets should align with scientific recommendations and international agreements.