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The environmental legacy of coastal sandbags
Summary
This perspective paper highlighted the underappreciated environmental impacts of plastic sandbags used for coastal flood and erosion control, including microplastic generation and chemical leaching as bags degrade and are abandoned. The authors called for improved regulation, environmental impact assessment integration, and promotion of biodegradable alternatives.
Coastal sandbagging is widely used as a flood and erosion mitigation technique, especially in emergency situations. The prolonged presence or abandonment of plastic-based sandbags can result in significant environmental impacts, including disrupted sediment transport, habitat degradation, and the generation of microplastics and chemical pollutants. Despite their widespread use, the environmental legacy of plastic sandbags remains poorly documented and largely excluded from coastal litter datasets. This perspective paper emphasizes the urgent need for improved regulation, integration of sandbag deployment into environmental impact assessments, and post-use management protocols. Sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable bags, reusable modular systems, and nature-based solutions, offer viable pathways for minimizing harm. Coastal protection strategies must evolve to ensure short-term defense actions do not compromise long-term environmental integrity.