This report acknowledges that for multiple parallel and inclusive responses within the United Nations and the multilateral trading system are needed to succeed in curbing plastic pollution. It argues that improvements in trade and domestic governance, including to promote plastic substitutes, alternatives and increased material recovery and recycling capacities, can lead to real change in developing countries. This paper therefore frames the challenge at hand, look at options for planning more concerted governance action within the United Nations and the multilateral trading system and to share findings on what the potential of plastics substitutes to reduce plastic pollution and enabling local sustainable manufacturing development in selected developing countries.