The analysis reveals that 23 of 34 countries (68%) in LAC have some form of specific national legislation on plastics, which represents significant progress, especially considering that most of these laws have been enacted in the last decade. However, it is imperative that efforts now focus on the effective implementation of these regulations.
The Caribbean subregion stands out with 100% legislative coverage, demonstrating a more uniform regional commitment to plastics regulation. However, despite the fact that countries such as Jamaica and Barbados have proposed phased implementation systems with oversight, the reality is that considerable work still needs to be done in the area of implementation in the region.
On the other hand, Central America and Mexico show the least progress, with only 38% of countries implementing national legislation, despite notable examples such as Costa Rica and Panama. South America shows moderate progress, with 50% of countries having national laws; Brazil and Argentina, for example, have made significant progress at the municipal or state level, although with still limited national frameworks.
Felipe Torres, PhD, waste prevention specialist and researcher at the University of São Paulo, who is also a project advisor for GAIA and BFFP, emphasizes that "the plastic crisis is a global challenge that requires robust and specific regulatory frameworks. This work brings together the efforts made in Latin America and the Caribbean to address this crisis. However, the approval of national laws is only the first step: it is crucial to implement, enforce, and adjust them to ensure their effectiveness, thus making the transition to more sustainable production systems a tangible reality."
The Global Plastics Treaty is presented as a “historic opportunity” to catalyze and harmonize policies, providing a common framework that promotes regulatory convergence and facilitates the exchange of best practices between leading countries, such as those in the Caribbean, and those with less developed frameworks.
Alberto Quesada, a policy consultant in Costa Rica, points out that "civil society has a fundamental and necessary role to play in accompanying the implementation processes. In this regard, he emphasizes that “the first enforcers are the citizens.” He explains that “those who are acting as consumers on a daily basis have a great opportunity to be the barometer or the main line for knowing whether or not these regulations are being effectively applied. Of course, states should also have mechanisms in place for citizens to report, denounce, or request information.”
Likewise, Tatiana Bastos, from the Instituto de Direito Coletivo Brasil, adds that “it is also the role of civil society to monitor with the tools it has, including judicialization. There are laws and regulations that we can take to court to make them effective. I would use this tool to bring existing rules to justice.” She also emphasizes that "we have to prioritize the availability of data among civil society. We need quality data to be available and use it in our demands.“
Alejandra Parra, from Alianza Basura Cero de Chile and RADA Chile, also emphasizes that ”the work of organizations is the solution to many of the problems“ and assures that ”society as a whole is capable of affecting legislative work."
Despite progress, the region faces common structural challenges to effective implementation. Some countries, such as Ecuador, report limited implementation despite having robust legal frameworks. The influence of large multinational corporations also plays a crucial role, often prioritizing their economic interests over the implementation of national strategies. Many countries face difficulties in identifying viable alternatives.
The report concludes that the next decade will be crucial for consolidating these regulatory frameworks, improving their effective implementation, and moving toward greater regional harmonization.
