Marine Plastics Innovative Solutions To Tackling Waste

This open access book reflects aims of the Blue Circular Economy (BCE) project, which focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to create value using circular economy concepts related to products and services within fishing gear recycling in the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) area. Cluster establishment and operation were carried out in collaboration with academia, industry and government agencies following a triple-helix approach. Discarded fishing gear constitutes a large part of marine plastics. Preventing future discharge of fishing gear into the ocean is a vital step in combating plastic pollution. Circular economy is one of the tools in the European Green deal, targeting waste minimisation. Closing the loop for waste fishing nets by transferring them to a resource could be a solution for preventing discharge at sea: exploring this opportunity is at the core of this book.

"Innovative Solutions to Plastic Pollution" is a comprehensive book that delves into the urgent issue of plastic pollution and provides valuable insights into understanding the impact of plastics on the environment. With a focus on identifying practical solutions, this book explores various aspects of plastic usage, its environmental challenges, and presents alternative approaches to tackle this global problem. The book begins by providing an overview of plastics, their ubiquity, and the environmental consequences they pose. It traces the evolution of plastics, highlighting their widespread adoption in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and sanitation. The intricate relationship between children and plastics is explored, along with the debate on whether plastics save trees or exacerbate deforestation. Additionally, the book examines the effects of plastics on food, emphasizing the need for sustainable packaging solutions. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to elucidating the impact of plastic pollution on the marine ecosystem and wildlife. It highlights the detrimental consequences on marine life, including the alarming rise in plastic debris in oceans. The correlation between plastics and adverse health effects is also discussed, shedding light on the potential risks posed by exposure to certain types of plastics. The book introduces readers to the five R's - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle - as a framework for tackling plastic pollution. It explores the roles of individuals and institutions in adopting these principles and emphasizes the importance of responsible waste management. The debate surrounding pro-plastic researchers and their viewpoints is examined, promoting critical thinking and informed decision-making. Furthermore, the book explores a range of solutions to plastic pollution. It discusses strategies such as refusing single-use plastics, reducing plastic consumption, reusing and repurposing plastic items, and promoting effective recycling practices. The significance of marking and labeling plastics for proper disposal is highlighted, along with the responsibilities of waste generators in managing plastic waste. The book also delves into the realm of plastic alternatives and materials of the future. It explores biodegradable and eco-friendly solutions, shedding light on the latest advancements in bioplastics, compostable packaging, and innovative materials derived from renewable sources. The importance of adhering to governmental regulations, including the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, is emphasized. Lastly, the book examines international efforts and initiatives to combat plastic pollution, showcasing examples of successful interventions from around the world. It concludes by discussing government orders and the prohibition of plastics, underscoring the role of policy frameworks in driving change. With its comprehensive analysis of plastics, environmental challenges, and innovative solutions, "Innovative Solutions to Plastic Pollution" serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, educators, and individuals concerned about the global plastic pollution crisis. It inspires readers to adopt sustainable practices, promotes awareness, and encourages collective action to create a cleaner and healthier future.

The objective of this guide is to raise awareness about the oceans' crucial importance to us and to the planet, and the growing threats posed by plastics discharged into and accumulating in the oceans. The guide outlines the key problems and challenges and how these can be addressed. The guide is promoting circular solutions to the ocean plastic pollution, and intends to inspire impactful action and change.

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and societies worldwide. Nowhere is this more evident than in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where the convergence of factors such as limited land availability, fragile ecosystems, and heavy reliance on marine resources exacerbates the impacts of plastic pollution. However, amidst these challenges lie opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. Tides of Change: Mitigating Plastic Pollution in Small Island Developing States seeks to inform, inspire, and empower readers to join the global effort to combat plastic pollution and safeguard the world's oceans for future generations.

Management of Marine Plastic Debris gives a thorough and detailed presentation of the global problem of marine plastics debris, covering every aspect of its management from tracking, collecting, treating and commercial exploitation for handing this anthropogenic waste. The book is a unique, essential source of information on current and future technologies aimed at reducing the impact of plastics waste in the oceans. This is a practical book designed to enable engineers to tackle this problem—both in stopping plastics from getting into the ocean in the first place, as well as providing viable options for the reuse and recycling of plastics debris once it has been recovered. The book is essential reading not only for materials scientists and engineers, but also other scientists involved in this area seeking to know more about the impact of marine plastics debris on the environment, the mechanisms by which plastics degrade in water and potential solutions. While much research has been undertaken into the different approaches to the increasing problem of plastics marine debris, this is the first book to present, evaluate and compare all of the available techniques and practices, and then make suggestions for future developments. The book also includes a detailed discussion of the regulatory environment, including international conventions and standards and national policies. Reviews all available processes and techniques for recovering, cleaning and recycling marine plastic debris Presents and evaluates viable options for engineers to tackle this growing problem, including the use of alternative polymers Investigates a wide range of possible applications of marine plastics debris and opportunities for businesses to make a positive environmental impact Includes a detailed discussion of the regulatory environment, including international conventions and standards and national policies

This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.

Plastics show up in every area of our lives. They are durable, cheap and light, properties that make them attractive but also problematic for the environment. The focus of this book is not just to highlight the problem of plastics, its definition, and how plastic pollution is impacting human health and environment but also to look at some best practices in both nature based solutions and in the field of law and policies. The first section of the book focuses on plastic pollution – it’s origin, relationship to climate change, linear/circular economy, followed by sustainable plastics, scientific solutions, and how policies can address plastic pollution. This includes looking at better designs, more sustainable feedstocks, and partnerships between various stakeholders worldwide including USA, China, Canada, South Korea, Thailand. This book will interest those who are associated with the production industry, packaging industry, and waste management industry as well as, academicians, students and policymakers.

Many informal organisations around the world are making a positive impact on the environment and their communities by turning waste into a resource, increasing the social capacity of their community and reducing the amount of pollution in their environment. Ending Plastic Waste: Community Actions Around the World presents a collection of stories, advice and information from experts in the fields of waste management, plastic pollution and environmental finance to give a broad outlook on how 19 programs from 15 different countries are protecting our planet. By sharing these journeys, the authors hope to encourage others to take a community approach to ending plastic waste. Perfect for decision-makers working in environmental and marine fields, industry stakeholders and citizen scientist groups, this book provides guidance on how to successfully implement a new program, what resources are needed and the lessons learned by the people behind these programs in overcoming barriers.