Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris’ Post

A collaborative study by University of California researchers suggests we could reduce global plastic waste by 91% (!) with four targeted actions: https://lnkd.in/dmTUq6zi 1. Increase Recycling Content in Plastic Products: Mandate that plastic products contain at least 40% recycled materials 2. Limit Plastic Production: Cap the production of new plastic to 2020 levels 3. Enforce Tax Packaging: Implement or raise taxes on plastic packaging to incentivize use of alternatives. 4. Invest in Waste Management: Allocate USD 50 billion globally to improve waste collection and recycling infrastructure, especially in low-and middle-income countries. In parallel, a WWF report indicates that while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) consume about three times less plastic per capita than high-income countries, the true costs of plastic are eight times higher for LMICs compared to high-income countries. https://lnkd.in/dCnrCjh2 A few reasons for this are the inadequate waste management systems, lack of infrastructure, and limited funding for clean-up efforts, lack of effective regulatory frameworks to manage plastic waste effectively in LMIC... and the absence of a specific mechanism in place to support these countries for the costs of plastic pollution. As global negotiations begin today in Busan (INC-5) to agree on a Plastics Treaty, let's hope these valuable pieces of information will be taken into account...

The more plastic a company uses, the more they contribute to global plastic litter, according to a key finding in The Sciences Advances article by Break Free From Plastic. Research from a dozen universities worldwide between 2018 and 2022 reveals that for every 1 percent increase in plastic use, there is a 1 percent rise in global plastic litter contribution. Volunteers in 84 countries collected over 1.8 million plastic waste pieces, with more than 1 in 10 from Coca-Cola, the top polluter. These findings emphasize the need to limit the production of problematic plastics. It is crucial for companies to prioritize source reduction over one-for-one swaps and commit to ambitious, accountable goals. Collaboration among companies is essential for driving big systemic change. Change is challenging but necessary for the health of our environment, wildlife, and ourselves. Learn more about the study's impact: #PlasticPollution #EnvironmentalImpact

A study on microplastic pollution highlights its rapid growth, predicting that even without new plastic production, pollution will double by 2040. Microplastics pose serious environmental and health risks, but varying research methods and unclear toxicity hinder a full understanding of their impact. Current mitigation efforts, such as recycling and plastic bans, are insufficient. The study calls for a multidisciplinary approach and global cooperation, along with stronger policies, to address the issue effectively. https://t.ly/yc40-

🌍🌊 Plastic Packaging and Wipes: Top River Pollutants 🌊🌍 Through the 'Plastic Pirates' project, we’ve found that plastic #pollution in #rivers remains a major issue. This year, 1250 young participants from Catalonia, Valencia, and Castilla y León identified #plastic packaging and disposable wipes as the most common pollutants. Despite efforts to reduce #plasticwaste, our rivers, especially around urban and industrial areas, continue to suffer. Although, in Catalonia, legislation was adapted in 2019 to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the #environment, and therefore the trend of plastic waste in rivers is expected to decrease. Through this citizen science project, young people, the driving force of change, become aware of this problem, raise awareness of their immediate environment and, in addition, play an active role together with the scientific community by generating scientific knowledge that helps to solve it.   Read the article here 👉 https://bit.ly/3zv019u  

Plastic items from around the world are continuously washing ashore on Norwegian coastlines. This reflects a much larger systemic issue facing the nations of the world. Scientists have long reported the consequences of plastic pollution and the urgent need for intervention, but global plastic production and consumption continue to rise. This underscores the importance of Norway’s advocacy for a global agreement that guarantees stopping the flow of plastics into the environment. But Norway also has a responsibility in generating plastic pollution. In a study conducted with the Norwegian Air Research Institute (NILU), we attempted to map the Norwegian plastic cycle at high resolution – down to the product and polymer types. Norway releases 15 000 tons of plastic to the environment each year! According to our recently published study in Environmental Science & Technology, around 758 kilotons (kt) of plastics enter the Norwegian market every year, while 632 kt is discarded as waste. Almost the half of this waste is incinerated, and only 2.4% ends up in the environment. https://lnkd.in/dfiQQ6ZT

Here is a great summary from a hearing in the french senate of what we know about the impact of plastic pollution on human health. It is in English.

The direct link between plastic production and plastic pollution is well-established in scientific research. Numerous studies have documented the environmental impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Here are some examples of research that confirm this link: Production and Pollution: A study published in the journal Science Advances estimated that global plastic production reached 359 million metric tons in 2018, with approximately 60% of that plastic ending up in landfills or the natural environment. The researchers emphasized the urgent need to address plastic pollution at its source by reducing plastic production and improving waste management practices. Oceanic Plastic Pollution: Research conducted by the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, as well as studies published in journals such as Environmental Science & Technology and Marine Pollution Bulletin, have documented the widespread distribution of plastic debris in the world's oceans. This plastic pollution originates from various sources, including land-based activities, rivers, and coastal regions, highlighting the connection between plastic production, consumption, and marine pollution. Microplastics Contamination: Studies published in Environmental Pollution, Environmental Science & Technology, and other scientific journals have investigated the sources, transport, and impacts of microplastics in terrestrial and aquatic environments. These studies have found that microplastics, which can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items, are pervasive pollutants that pose ecological risks to wildlife and human health. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Life cycle assessments (LCAs) of plastic products and packaging have consistently shown that plastic production contributes to various environmental impacts, including carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource depletion. LCAs provide valuable insights into the environmental trade-offs associated with different materials and can inform decision-making in plastic waste management and pollution prevention. These examples demonstrate the scientific consensus on the link between plastic production and plastic pollution. Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach that includes reducing plastic production, improving waste management infrastructure, promoting circular economy principles, and fostering innovation in alternative materials and packaging solutions. #PlasticPollution #PlasticProduction #StopPlasticPollution #ReducePlastic #PlasticFree #BreakFreeFromPlastic #PlasticWaste #BeatPlasticPollution #PlasticSustainability #PlasticAction

A University of Texas at Arlington scientist’s research could have an impact on one of the world’s most pressing problems: plastic waste. Plastic waste has become a major environmental concern. From 1950 to 2015, more than 8,000 million tons of plastic was produced and only 6–7% was recycled, according to a 2017 study in ScienceAdvances. More than half of the waste went straight to landfills. Public health experts are starting to dig into the effects of microplastics and the potential impacts they may have on human health. A process known as pyrolysis is seen by some researchers as a way to reduce plastic waste. By Jordan Chapman #Environment #Sustainability

A research paper published in Science Advances reveals a direct correlation between plastic production and plastic pollution, such that every 1% increase in plastic production is associated with a 1% increase in plastic pollution in the environment. This impressive research, led by scientists from a dozen different universities in the United States of America, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Estonia, Chile, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom, found that 56 global companies are responsible for more than half of all branded plastic pollution. Can you guess who are the top contributors of branded plastic pollution? Do the companies who are the largest contributors surprise you?

Recent research published by the Ocean Clean up has cemented what I found in my research in Howth Harbour Dublin with "Legacy Plastics" You have to ask yourself as I always do is this the legacy you want to leave for your children and their children. Our latest research published today reveals that the mass of plastic fragments (0.5-50mm) in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has increased almost 5x in just seven years! Concentrations skyrocketed - from 2.9 kg per square kilometer in 2015 to 14.2 kg per square kilometer in 2022. The increase is even more pronounced when considering the number of plastic fragments, with hotspot concentrations increasing from millions of fragments per km2 to tens of millions per km2 in 2022. This massive increase is mostly due to new plastic fragments originating from the fragmentation of legacy plastic pollution accumulated in the world’s rivers and coastlines in the past decades. Legacy oceanic plastic pollution must be addressed to mitigate possible long-term ecological impacts | Microplastics and Nanoplastics | Full Text https://lnkd.in/eCNqp6Sx