Abstract
Marine litter and associated marine pollution are becoming a complex global environmental hazard these days. Among the different faces of marine pollution, by far the largest and probably the most dangerous part is marine plastic litter. Plastic litter can be found in almost every marine environment in the world, including deep ocean beds and frozen polar ice. Unless new sustainable methods of plastic production and waste management are encouraged, marine plastic pollution will continue to pose a severe threat to the natural ecosystems of the world. In this paper, the status of marine plastic litter is reviewed using a DPSIR framework, and it is found that significant changes in the way we live and consume are needed to prevent it. A framework that combines the source-to-sea approach and circular economy is introduced as a possible solution to eliminate plastic waste from the environment as well as from the economy.
Highlights
It was during the beginning of commercial plastic production in the 1970s, scientists first recognized plastic pollution in marine environments
Marine plastic pollution can be reduced significantly with proper measures and laws in place and its strict and careful implementation. This can be done in three main ways: a) restricting the use of conventional plastics through political level initiatives and actions such as imposing bans on single-use plastics and forming efficient waste management systems; b) provide economic benefits for reducing traditional plastic usage along with incentives to promote alternative materials; c) facilitate more research on the production and consumption of alternative materials
All these measures along with proper awareness and education can make a real difference in making marine plastic pollution under control (Filho et al 2019)
Summary
It was during the beginning of commercial plastic production in the 1970s, scientists first recognized plastic pollution in marine environments. Marine plastic pollution can be reduced significantly with proper measures and laws in place and its strict and careful implementation This can be done in three main ways: a) restricting the use of conventional plastics through political level initiatives and actions such as imposing bans on single-use plastics and forming efficient waste management systems; b) provide economic benefits for reducing traditional plastic usage along with incentives to promote alternative materials; c) facilitate more research on the production and consumption of alternative materials. All these measures along with proper awareness and education can make a real difference in making marine plastic pollution under control (Filho et al 2019). This program collaborates private sectors, government, civil societies, and the public to tackle the root causes of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
