Plastic Waste Research Articles

Machine Learning Based Prediction of Compressive and Flexural Strength of Recycled Plastic Waste Aggregate Concrete

In the last 50 years, the use of plastics has increased significantly due to advances in technology, population growth and increasing needs. However, this trend has led to the accumulation of large amounts of plastic waste. Numerous studies have been conducted on the use of recycled plastic materials in concrete production as a means of recycling and environmental protection. This study aims to predict the 28-day cylinder compressive and flexural strength of concretes using Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Phenolic Formaldehyde (PF), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinyl Chloride (PCV), High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste as aggregates. In this scope, a comprehensive database was created using experimental results obtained from the literature. Then, this study used six ML models, including Support Vector Regressor (SVR), Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR), XGBoost Regressor (XGR), LightGBM Regressor (LGR), Bagged Decision Trees Regressor (BDTR), to predict the compressive and flexural strength of recycled plastic waste aggregate concrete (RPWAC). From the experimental database, 253 data points with strength between 6.00-70.05MPa were identified to estimate the compressive strength (CS) and 175 data points with strength between 1.21-7.96MPa were identified for flexural strength (FS). Cross-validation was used for six ML models and hyperparameter fine-tuning was performed. The results showed that six different ML models predicted the compressive and flexural strengths of RPWAC with high accuracy. The XGR model predicted CS and FS better than the other five different models with R2 values of 0.931 and 0.999, respectively. The three main properties effecting the CS of RPWAC were plastic waste content, water/cement ratio and concrete specific gravity, while the three main properties affecting the FS of RPWAC were cement specific gravity, plastic waste content and cement CS.

Reuse of polyvinyl chloride residues—in powder and fiber forms—as potential components for green mortar pavers

Plastic wastes are considered a significant environmental pollution load because of their mostly non-biodegradable nature. Consequently, the need to lessen the environmental impact calls for employing eco-friendly strategies such as reusing materials in construction. The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical behavior and environmental impacts of mortar elements, with a specific focus on pavers, by incorporating waste polyvinyl chloride (WPVC) as aggregate and partially replacing cement. Two distinct forms of this waste were considered in the investigation: (i) as it is generated in industrial processes, mainly in fiber form, WPVCf, and in the form of powder obtained by sieving the former, WPVCp. The ratio of conventional mortar materials replaced by WPVC and the final water-to-binder ratio changed based on waste type and mix workability. The experimental work involved preparing 84 pavers, each measuring 100 mm × 150 mm × 60 mm. For each type of paver, 12 samples were prepared, ensuring a minimum of 4 sets of test data for each curing period (7, 14, and 28 days). Flexural strength tests, conducted in accordance with the Colombian standard NTC 2017, utilized a standard flexural test machine with a 150 kN capacity. A specially designed steel tool applied a point load at the center of each paving block, maintaining a minimum distance of 10 millimeters from the edges. The findings demonstrated that pavers containing fiber plastic waste exhibited the requisite strength for paved walkways, even in the short term, when the weight ratio of WPVCf to sand (WPVCf/S) was 24 %. These results derive an eco-friendly solution for reusing PVC wastes currently deposited directly in landfills. Moreover, to analyze the environmental impacts of this solution, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was carried out in this research. The LCA results pointed out that dosing with a WPVCf/S ratio of 24 % emerges as the most ecologically responsible, manifesting substantial reductions across impact categories, such as a significant 23 % decrease in climate change, a 23 % reduction in Photochemical ozone formation, and a 22 % reduction in renewable energy consumption. This underscores the potential of WPVCf incorporation as a consequential step toward eco-friendly construction materials. Furthermore, this solution not only translates to diminished paving block costs by requiring less fine aggregate and cement but also contributes to reduced transportation expenses owing to the decreased weight of the pavers.

Polymer Nanocomposites: A Review on Recent Advances in the Field of Green Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract: In order to address environmental issues, polymer nanocomposites are becoming more and more popular because of their remarkable functionality. Their use in various fields is highlighted by their special physicochemical features (i.e., stability, high reactivity, robustness, regenerability, etc.), conductivity, electronic compatibility, quick interfacial contacts, simplicity of functionalization, simplicity of synthesis, interface-to-volume ratio, and low cost. Green polymer nanocomposites have drawn a lot of attention for use in a variety of applications to preserve the environment. Because they are made of eco-friendly materials, they are frequently utilised in the automobile, building, packaging, and medical industries. Eco-friendly solutions to the problems caused by plastic trash are biodegradable polymers produced from renewable sources (microbes, plants, and animals). Plant fibres and natural resins are combined to create green composite materials. These fibres and resins used in green composites can be broken down by bacteria. The mixing of natural fillers and organic polymers results in green polymer nanocomposites with distinct characteristics. This review is anticipated to be comprehensive, compelling, and practical for the scientists and business professionals who collaborate to address a variety of environmental problems on a global scale using green polymer nanocomposites.

Gasification of mixed plastic-biomass pellets in an updraft fixed bed reactor: a simplified dynamic model

In the context of materials recycling, updraft gasifiers are promising small and middle-scale reactors to obtain building blocks and/or energy from waste plastic and biomasses. To this aim, these kinds of materials can also be mixed and reduced into pellets, while the needed heat enters the process with a heated carrier gas. In order to preliminarily design a gasifier to check its feasibility with an available feedstock, currently available models are inadequate. Thermodynamic ones are useless for the purposes of sizing, while too detailed rate-based models (e.g. based on fluid-dynamic modelling) are too substrate specific, need detailed input data and are extremely time consuming. A dynamic model of a fixed-bed reactor for biomass gasification is presented here. The gasifier is loaded continuously from the top with solid pellets and fed with counter-current air flow. The model considers: i) a one-step gasification kinetics, yielding a product spectrum which matches experimental data from the literature; ii) dynamic gas and solid energy balances and iii) steady-state energy balance for the furnace. The model has been applied to describe a tubular furnace (Ø 40 cm) which gasifies 500 – 1000 kg day-1 of mixed wastes using air heated up to 1200 °C: on the basis of the produced chemicals, the energy consumption was estimated as ca. 2 MJ per kg of solid feedstock. This simplified approach proved robust in describing the overall yields and start-up dynamics, showing higher reliability than equilibrium models in addressing the temperature profiles, at the cost of a simplified reaction kinetic and pellet description with respect to more complex simulation models. The model validation was done by comparison between the calculations results and available pilot-plant data. An overall good fit of the data can be concluded. The solid-gas heat transfer and the bed packing are the main computational criticalities to achieve a reliable process description.

Uranium and arsenic bioremediation potential of plastic associated multi-metal tolerant Bacillus sp. EIKU23

Plastic waste accumulation is a significant environmental concern as it promotes microbial growth and acts as a carrier for heavy metals. This study focuses on a Bacillus sp. strain isolated from the surface of a used plastic bottle, tolerant to various potential toxic elements (PTEs) such as chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenite [As(III)], but sensitive to uranium (U) and arsenate [As(V)] toxicity. The strain demonstrates growth under different abiotic stress conditions, with the optimal pH range of 5.0-8.0 and a temperature of 30 °C. It shows remarkable removal capabilities, removing >23.3% of U, >38% of As(III)), and >22.6% of As(V) from an initial dose of 100mgL−1 in an aqueous solution. The biosorption capacity for U, As(III), and As(V) is 3.12, 3.1, and 1.8mgg−1 of biomass, respectively. Kinetic modelling suggests that the biosorption of U and As(V) follows a pseudo-second-order mechanism, while As(III) biosorption follows a pseudo-first-order mechanism. Moreover, the strain has the ability to precipitate >38.1% and ~67% of U using bacterially released phosphate from inorganic and organic sources, respectively. These findings highlight the strain's potential for bioremediation of PTE-contaminated environments, providing valuable insights for optimizing metal removal and immobilization processes in future research.

Superhydrophobic poly(lactic acid) membrane prepared with the induction of modified carbon dots for efficient separation of water-in-oil emulsions

Superhydrophobic separation membranes are considered to be one of the most promising technologies for oil-water separation. However, the plastic waste generated from discarded membranes poses a challenge to the preparation of degraded superhydrophobic separation membranes for achieving eco-friendly separation. In this study, superhydrophobic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) membranes were fabricated using a non-solvent induced phase separation method assisted by l-cysteine modified carbon dots (Cys-CDs). The synergistic effect of Cys-CDs-induced crystallization behavior of PLA and the phase separation process results in the evolution of the surface of the PLA-based membrane from a pistil-like structure to a multi-level micro-nano structure composed of dense lamellar nanofibers and microspheres with an increase in Cys-CDs content. At a Cys-CDs content of 5 wt%, the surface roughness of PLA-based separation membrane reached its maximum, and the water contact angle was as high as 159°. Remarkably, the superhydrophobic Cys-CDs/PLA membrane exhibited promising performance in the separation of water-in-oil emulsions, with a rejection rate of 99.98 % and a flux of 315.74 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1. Additionally, the superhydrophobic Cys-CDs/PLA separation membrane also demonstrates impressive properties such as acid-alkali resistance and rapid recycling into high-value chemicals. Consequently, this rapidly recoverable superhydrophobic porous Cys-CDs/PLA membrane shows great potential for practical applications in actual oil-water separation.

Establishing a plastic waste map using remote sensing data in the coastal area of Thanh Hoa province (Vietnam)

Plastic pollution, particularly in oceans, is a growing environmental threat. Monitoring this pollution is challenging due to the shortage of data and tools. Remote sensing offers a promising solution by using various types of satellite and aerial images to detect and track plastic waste movement. Purpose. The study aims to establish a plastic waste map using remote sensing technology, focusing on the case study of the coastal area of Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Methodology. The study involves several steps, including the collection of plastic waste data (samples in the case study and indices from remote sensing images) as well as topographic and base map collection, statistics of plastic samples, grid design, calculation, interpolation, accuracy assessment, and mapping. Field surveys involved taking pictures of plastic debris along designated routes and a grid system was used to classify and calculate waste samples. Satellite images, especially Sentinel-2 MSI optical satellite imagery, are utilized to identify water areas of high plastic concentration. Findings. A map of plastic wastes in coastal areas of Thanh Hoa was created, with indices like NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) and FDI (Floating Debris Index) helping identify potential plastic waste signals. The resulting map reveals high concentrations of plastic waste in sea areas near the major river mouths of the Ma River basin and tourist areas, which aligns with areas of high human activity. Originality. This is the first study of plastic waste in the coastal area using remote sensing data in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Practical value. This study can contribute to the effective management of marine plastic waste in Thanh Hoa while opening up opportunities for applying the method to create marine plastic waste maps throughout Vietnam and foster long-term monitoring and management.

Public health implications of plastic pollution: Reducing national healthcare burden

Among the materials that are most prevalent in use universally. They exist as one of the most commonly used materials in our everyday world although serious health hazards are associated with plastic pollution, which may result in higher nationwide health care costs. Understanding how plastic pollution affects health and how lowering it might lower medical expenses and enhance public health outcomes is necessary to address these issues. However, there are several matters through use besides discarding, like refuse accumulations in natural environments and landfills, corporeal harm to wildlife from taking in or becoming caught in plastic, chemical leaking from plastic substances, and the likelihood of plastics spreading substances to people and nature. The worldwide implementation of the SDGs has further proven to be effective in curtailing plastic pollution and hopefully would be fully achievable by 2030.

Suppression of Structural Heterogeneity in High-Entropy Intermetallics for Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Waste Plastics.

The key to fully realizing the potential of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) lies in balancing their inherent local chemical disordering with the long-range ordering required for electrochemical applications. Herein, we synthesized a distinctive L10-(PtIr)(FeMoBi) high-entropy intermetallics (HEIs) exhibiting nanoscale long-range order and atomic scale short-range disorder via a lattice compensation strategy to mitigate the entropy reduction tendency. The (PtIr)(FeMoBi) catalyst exhibited remarkable activity and selectivity of glycollic acid (GA) production via electrocatalytic waste polymer-derived ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR). With a mass activity of 5.2 A mgPt-1 and a Faradic efficiency (FE) for GA of 95 %, it outperformed most previously reported electrocatalysts for selective GA production. The lattice-compensation effect promotes the homogeneity of Pt and Fe actives sites, facilitating co-adsorption of EG and OH and reducing the energy barriers for dehydrogenation and OH-combination processes. This approach effectively avoids the formation of low-active sites commonly encountered in HEA solid solutions, offering a promising avenue for exploring the complex interplay between catalytic activity and HEI structures.

Upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into CoFe@C for highly efficient PV-driven bifunctional seawater splitting via a “waste materialization” strategy

Developing green and efficient techniques to convert plastic wastes into functional materials is attractive and remains highly challenging. This study employs a hydrothermal combining with pyrolysis process for constructing a Co3Fe1@C heterostructure from the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste-mediated metal-organic frameworks. The as-obtained Co3Fe1@C shows a core-shell structure and possesses good performance towards water electrolysis. The Co3Fe1@C can attain the current density of 100 mA cm−2 with an overpotential of 250 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In addition, the bifunctional Co3Fe1@C can realize the overall seawater electrolysis at 50 mA cm−2 with good stability for 280 h driven by a 2.2 V commercial silicon solar cell. Overall, this study demonstrates a green chemistry approach to simultaneous plastic waste upcycling and cost-effective electrocatalyst fabrication, which may stimulate further research on the “waste materialization” approach to converting solid waste into highly efficient catalysts for various chemistry and energy industry applications.

One-pot Hydrogenolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to p-xylene over CuZn/Al2O3Catalyst.

Chemical upcycling of plastic wastes into valuable chemicals is a promising strategy for resolving plastic pollution, but economically viable methods currently are still lacking. Here, we report one-pot hydrogenolysis of PET plastic into p-xylene with an excellent yield (99.8 %) over a robust non-precious Cu-based catalyst, CuZn/Al2O3, in the absence of alcohol solvents. The presence of Zn species promotes the dispersion of Cu0 and increases the ratio of Cu+/Cu0, whereas the synergistic effect of Cu0 and Cu+ leads to a superior performance in the conversion of PET. The combination of GC-MS, 13C CP MAS NMR, 2D 1H-13C CP HETCOR NMR spectroscopy and kinetic studies for the first time demonstrates 4-methyl benzyl alcohol as an important reaction intermediate in the hydrogenolysis of PET. Mechanistic studies indicate that the conversion of PET mainly follows a hydrogenolysis process, involving the cleavage of ester bonds to alcohols and the C-O bond cleavage of alcohols to alkanes. This work not only brings new insight for understanding the upgrading pathway of PET, but also provides a guidance for the design of high-performance non-precious catalysts for the chemical upcycling of plastic wastes.

Recycling of Plastics in the Automotive Sector and Methods of Removing Paint for Its Revalorization: A Critical Review

The presence of plastics in the automotive industry is increasingly significant due to their lightweight nature, which contributes to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while improving versatility and mechanical properties. Polypropylene (PP) and other polyolefins are among the most commonly used materials, especially for components such as bumpers. The use of composite materials, i.e., a combination of different polymers, improves the properties through synergistic effects, thereby also improving the performance of the final product. In the automotive industry, PP reinforced with 20% talc or CaCO3 is commonly used. The mechanical recycling of polypropylene bumpers is the most common type of recycling. However, challenges arise during this process, such as the presence of impurities like paint, chemical contaminants from previous use, and polymeric impurities from different polymers mixed into the polymer matrix, among others. Paint affects both the aesthetic quality and the mechanical and intrinsic properties of the recycled material. This review aims to analyze the main methods reported in the literature, focusing on those with low environmental impact. Furthermore, these methods are classified according to their capacity, effectiveness, substrate damage, environmental hazards, and economic feasibility. It also aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the mechanical recycling of plastic waste in the automotive industry.

Reinforcing the Efficiency of Plastic Upgrading through Full-Spectrum Photothermal Effect Integration of Heat Isolator.

Photoreforming of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to H2 is practically attractive strategy for upgrading waste plastics. The major challenge is to utilize the infrared energy in the solar spectrum to improve the efficiency for photoreforming of PET to H2. Herein, through the ingenious integration of tungsten phosphide nanoparticles and tungsten single atoms (WP/W SAs) with carbon nitride (g-C3N4), the constructed hybrid inherits both the desirable properties and structural merits of the respective building blocks. Specifically, the photothermal effect of WP/W SAs couples with the "heat isolator" role of g-C3N4 due to its low thermal conductivity, thereby forming localized high-temperature regions, reducing the activation energy and improving the kinetics in the photoreforming of PET to H2. Additionally, the green pretreatment of PET using alkali-free hydrothermal strategy is reported, achieving direct separation of the ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. This work not only provides an alkali-free hydrothermal pretreatment for PET, but also integrates the photothermal effect with the thermal insulation and opens a new avenue for harnessing solar energy into to convert plastics into H2.

Look before you leap: Are increased recycling efforts accelerating microplastic pollution?

AbstractTo fight plastic pollution and reach net‐zero ambitions, policy and industry set goals to increase the recycling of plastics and the recycled content in products. While this ideally reduces demand for virgin material, it also increases pressure on recyclers to find suitable endmarkets for the recyclate. This may lead to two effects: a multiplication of recycled content in applications already made of plastic and a substitution of non‐plastic materials with cheap, low‐quality recyclate. Both areas of application may be sources of microplastic (MP) pollution. Combined with the inherent degradation of recyclate during its lifecycle, but also during recycling, we expect the increase in recycled content will subsequently lead to an increase in MP pollution. We propose a framework to investigate the risk of MP generation through plastic applications throughout their subsequent lifecycle of production, use phase, and end of life. We apply the framework to two prominent examples of recyclate endmarkets, that is, textiles and wood–plastic, and point out where the degradation effects can cause higher release. To conclude, we outline a research agenda to support policymakers in their decision making on specifying targets for recycling and recycled content.

Quantification, characterization, and source identification of macro- and mesoplastics in the water column of Rivers Sabaki and Tana.

Five sampling campaigns were conducted in the water columns of River Sabaki and Tana in Kenya, Between October 2021 and January 2023, covering a 1-year cycle, at four sites in River Sabaki (2.5km, 3.05km, 3.51km, and 4.52km) and River Tana (1.5km, 1.8km, 2.0km, and 2.5km) distant from the river mouth. The ebb and flood tides were sampled to calculate net plastic litter fluxes. Two 6350-µm seine nets were deployed in two replicates per sampling point. Factor and cluster analysis were used to investigate plastic litter sources for both rivers. The influences of rainfall on plastic abundance and mass were explored using permutational linear models. A total of 15,318 plastic litter items weighing 1.37kg were recorded in River Sabaki, and 3741 plastic litter items weighing 0.95kg in River Tana. The top ten captured plastic litter types sorted by abundance and mass were mostly plastic fragments. The annual net plastic litter flux to the ocean through River Sabaki amounted to 1,277,120.63 items year-1 by abundance and 22.30kgyear-1 by mass. For River Tana, the same fluxes were 207,550.76 items year-1, and 28.09kgyear-1, respectively. In River Sabaki, significant impacts of rainfall on plastic abundance and mass were found. River Sabaki's pollution sources included upstream reaches, fishing activities, and littering by locals and tourists. River Tana's major pollution sources were illegal dumpsites, littering, fishing, and recreational activities. This research can guide combat plastic pollution in the rivers and ultimately the ocean.

Development of a deep learning-based object recognition system for pre-stage separation to improve the recycling rate of major general-purpose plastics

ABSTRACT The generation of plastic waste has been increasing annually, necessitating various recycling methods. Among these, material recycling with low carbon emissions should be prioritized. This study aims to enhance the material recycling rate by developing a separation system using deep learning-based object recognition. To improve labeling efficiency, image data were acquired for each material type, and the performance of different labeling methods was evaluated. The average precision (AP) values for the single-material learning model using hybrid labeling (manual + automatic) were 0.947 for PET, 0.951 for PP, 0.892 for PE, and 0.896 for PS, demonstrating superior performance compared to other methods. An integrated learning model was also developed for composite materials, achieving AP values of 0.972 for PET, 0.976 for PP, 0.963 for PE, and 0.961 for PS. These results demonstrate the model’s strong applicability for plastic waste recognition.

Poly (Butylene Adipate‐Co‐Terephthalate) (PBAT) – Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Review

AbstractWith the issue of plastic waste persisting and the need for more sustainable solutions to the ever‐increasing demand for lightweight and durable plastic products, this review has become imminent and compelling. Poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer with exceptional film‐forming ability resembling those of low‐density polyethylene. PBAT has a huge advantage for packaging applications due to its remarkably high elongation at break, giving it a good processing window for its application in packaging. However, certain defiant intrinsic properties stand in the way of its full commercialization. The development of blends and biocomposites of PBAT has, therefore, become imperative for complementing its properties and producing a superior material. This paper focuses on the recent developments in preparing PBAT‐based blends and biocomposites with superior mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties and, most importantly, has also investigated how the development of these blends and biocomposites impacts the biodegradation rate of PBAT. It also highlights the possible synthesis of bio‐based PBAT and the commercialization, market trends, and prospects of PBAT‐based materials for flexible, rigid packaging, and other industrial applications compared with biodegradable alternatives.

Assessing the Impact of Shredded Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Post-Consumer Plastic as a Partial Replacement for Coarse Aggregates in Unreinforced Concrete

This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating shredded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) post-consumer plastic waste as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in unreinforced concrete such as masonry blocks. Standard concrete blocks were produced with varying PET content (0%, 5%, 25%, 35%, 50%) and tested for workability, air content, density, compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity. Results indicated that replacing up to 25% of traditional aggregates with PET maintains adequate compressive strength for non-load-bearing applications and enhances thermal insulation by reducing the thermal conductivity from 0.7 W/m·°K to 0.27 W/m·°K at 25% replacement level, representing a significant improvement of approximately 61%. Higher PET content (35–50%) resulted in reduced structural integrity but improved insulation, suggesting its suitability for non-structural applications. This research highlights the potential of using PET plastic waste in unreinforced concrete, promoting sustainable construction practices by reducing plastic waste and conserving natural resources.

Applications of H2-Enriched syngas and slag products from plastic wastes via novel plasma dual-stage-arc pyrolysis

Sustainable plastic waste management in the prevailing ‘new-normal’ post-pandemic scenario calls for calorific waste plastic up-cycling into high-end product recovery pathways. The present work employed a novel dual-stage arc plasma pyrolysis reactor to recover syngas and slag products from mixed plastics and Low-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate (LDPE-PET) plastic waste feeds. Syngas product yield decreased while the solid slag yield increased with rising arc current, attaining 75% and 25% for mixed plastic waste feed and 59% and 41% for LDPE-PET wastes, respectively, at 200A arc current. The resultant syngas composition showed 83% and 77% H2 while 1.7% and 2.7% CO for mixed plastic waste-feed and LDPE-PET wastes, respectively, with no significant presence of CO2. Slag characterization studies revealed the presence of scattered pores on the slag surface, graphitic nanostructures due to scraped carbon depositions from electrode tips and the absence of aromatic groups due to complete conversion. High carbon content was observed in the slag due to the dissociation of lighter hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide on dual-arc exposure in two stages, underscoring the higher efficiency. For holistic integrated circular onsite ‘plastic waste-to-resource’ recovery-cum-application, electricity was generated from the resultant syngas and the slag was used for the manufacture of tiles in the community platform. Techno-economic evaluation of an up-scaled plasma pyrolysis facility shows the power recovery of 3.5 kWh/kg of waste plastic, with a net annual profit of $2800 and a payback period of 1.7 years. The findings of the present work suggest that the proposed integrated dual-arc plasma pyrolysis based plastic waste-to-resource recovery in circular-economy model has a viable outcome.

Recommendations and challenges for the regulations of ghost fishing gears

ABSTRACT Approximately 80% of goods are transported by shipping all over the world. Shipping plays an indispensable role in international transportation, as it is the most effective method. However, marine pollution from ships, such as accidental or operational discharge, is a recognised contributor to the worsening marine environment and ecosystem. It is known that approximately 27% of plastic pollution originates from marine-based sources. Shipping is a major contributor to marine plastics through fishing gear and container losses as well as recreational boating and passenger ships, among others. Given the statistics, this study proposes future regulatory recommendations for mitigating marine plastic pollution from ships. The uniqueness of this research lies in its emphasis on regulatory analysis specific to ship-source plastic pollution, which differs from the usual focus on land-based origins. Ultimately, the study seeks to heighten public awareness regarding the urgency of implementing regulatory measures. The research suggests the strengthening of enforcement regime over vessels, advocating for revisions to Annex V of the MARPOL 73/78 Convention, and enhancing collaboration between the IMO and the FAO.