The environmental legacy of coastal sandbags

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.