The Global Plastic Pollution Crisis—How Norway Deals with the Challenge

Researchers all over the world are engaged in the global plastic crisis, and hundreds of reports have been written on topics like microplastics, chemicals in plastics, recycling, single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility, the informal sector, circular economy, etc. This chapter highlights a selection of recently published articles written by Norwegian researchers and Norway’s partner organisations in India. The publications show that there are ways to deal with the global plastic pollution crisis, but there is no time for procrastination. Norway has a history of taking initiatives to end plastic pollution. The Norwegian Government has strategies and policies that cover both plastics and circular economy. The strategies include local, regional and global challenges. Norway’s commitment in the global work against marine pollution and the cooperation with India on the same topic are important for the work towards an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, and for the follow-up after the agreement is concluded. Combating plastic pollution and marine litter is a key priority of both Norway and India. Since 2019, several projects have been started under the India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative, focusing on enhancing the circular economy, waste management, co-processing of plastic waste in coastal areas, testing and monitoring of chemical and plastic wastes in rivers and encouraging voluntary citizen participation in beach clean-up.