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The need for a global plastic strategy
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This perspective article argued that the scale of global plastic pollution — with 8,300 million metric tons produced and 79% accumulated in landfills or the environment — requires a coordinated global plastic strategy rather than piecemeal national measures. The author calls for international policy frameworks comparable to those addressing climate change and ozone depletion.
Plastic pollution in freshwater and marine areas has been widely recognized as one of the most crucial global concerns of our time. It has been estimated that in the last six decades, 8,300 million metric tonnes (Megatonnes; Mt) of plastic has been produced, most of it for the creation of disposable products. Of this, 6,300 Mt of plastic became waste, around 9% of which has been recycled, 12% incinerated and 79% accumulated in landfills or disposed in the natural environment
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The need for a global plastic strategy
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This book chapter argues for the need for a coordinated global strategy to address plastic pollution, drawing parallels to international agreements on chemicals and waste. It emphasizes that most microplastics originate on land and that both freshwater and marine systems require integrated policy responses.
Bottlenecks of Global Plastic Strategy and the Way Forward of Microplastics Management
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This review examines bottlenecks in global plastic waste management strategies, arguing that rising plastic use in everyday activities has outpaced regulatory and logistical capacity, and proposing pathways forward for more effective microplastics management at a global scale.
On the Challenge of Plastic Wastes and Litter in Oceans: Some Policy Reflections
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This policy analysis discusses the growing crisis of plastic litter in the world's oceans, reviewing international agreements and national policies aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution. The authors argue that current policy efforts fall far short of what is needed and propose stronger global governance frameworks.
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This commentary argues for the establishment of an international agreement to address marine plastic pollution, noting that plastic debris including microplastics is a pervasive global threat to marine biodiversity, ecosystem services, and potentially human health. The authors highlight that existing regulatory frameworks are insufficient to manage the transboundary nature of the problem. The study calls for measurable reduction targets and coordinated international action to curb the flow of plastic into the world's oceans.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.