review · Water Environment Research
Global plastic waste production exceeds 400 million metric tons annually, breaking down into microplastics that harm biodiversity, food safety, and marine ecosystems. Addressing this multifaceted crisis requires coordinated legislative frameworks alongside technological advances to prevent catastrophic damage to the oceans. An overview of policy challenges, legislative measures, and prospective strategies highlights the critical role of a global plastics treaty in steering the economy towards a circular, low-pollution model. Although not a complete solution on its own, such a treaty enhances international governance and supports ambitions to reach zero plastic pollution by 2040. Employing a life-cycle approach to plastic management helps balance environmental protection with economic considerations. Integrating strict mandated policies with cross-sector technological innovations offers a practical pathway to curb marine plastic waste at its source and safeguard oceanic health.
Microplastics increasingly threaten marine biodiversity, global food safety, and human wellbeing as hundreds of millions of tonnes of plastic waste degrade each year. Establishing strong international governance through treaties and circular economy principles is essential for balancing economic development with environmental survival, ultimately protecting ocean systems from irreversible ecological decline.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract Every year, the global production of plastic waste reaches a staggering 400 million metric tons (Mt), precipitating adverse consequences for the environment, food safety, and biodiversity as it degrades into microplastics (MPs). The multifaceted nature of MP pollution, coupled with its intricate physiological impacts, underscores the pressing need for comprehensive policies and legislative frameworks. Such measures, alongside advancements in technology, hold promise in averting ecological catastrophe in the oceans. Mandated legislation represents a pivotal step towards restoring oceanic health and securing the well‐being of the planet. This work offers an overview of the policy hurdles, legislative initiatives, and prospective strategies for addressing global pollution due to MP. Additionally, this work explores innovative approaches that yield fresh insights into combating plastic pollution across various sectors. Emphasizing the importance of a global plastics treaty, the article underscores its potential to galvanize collaborative efforts in mitigating MP pollution's deleterious effects on marine ecosystems. Successful implementation of such a treaty could revolutionize the plastics economy, steering it towards a circular, less polluting model operating within planetary boundaries. Failure to act decisively risks exacerbating the scourge of MP pollution and its attendant repercussions on both humanity and the environment. Central to this endeavor are the formulation, content, and execution of the treaty itself, which demand careful consideration. While recognizing that a global plastics treaty is not a panacea, it serves as a mechanism for enhancing plastics governance and elevating global ambitions towards achieving zero plastic pollution by 2040. Adopting a life cycle approach to plastic management allows for a nuanced understanding of possible trade‐offs between environmental impact and economic growth, guiding the selection of optimal solutions with socio‐economic implications in mind. By embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates legislative measures and technological innovations, we can substantially reduce the influx of marine plastic litter at its sources, safeguarding the oceans for future generations.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1002/wer.11070
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
