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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The crucial role of circular waste management systems in cutting waste leakage into aquatic environments
ClearAdoption of global circular waste management systems is crucial to cut leakage of waste into aquatic environments
Spatial modeling of global municipal solid waste leakage to aquatic environments found that even in a sustainable development scenario with full circular economy adoption, complete elimination of waste leakage before 2030 is impossible, indicating failure to meet waste-related Sustainable Development Goals.
Leaving a plastic legacy: current and future scenarios for mismanaged plastic waste in rivers
Researchers estimated that 0.8 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste enters rivers annually, affecting 84% of global rivers by surface area, and project a nearly three-fold increase by 2060 — though improved waste governance could reduce this pollution by up to 72%.
Delineating and preventing plastic waste leakage in the marine and terrestrial environment
Researchers outline the global challenge of plastic waste leaking into marine and land environments, tracing the problem to poor waste management, limited recycling technology, and low public awareness. The commentary calls for upstream design changes and downstream cleanup strategies to reduce plastic litter worldwide.
Global environmental plastics dispersal under OECD policy scenarios towards 2060
Researchers modeled how global plastic pollution would spread through the environment under different policy scenarios developed by the OECD, looking ahead to 2060. They found that even with ambitious policy action, significant amounts of plastic will continue leaking into aquatic environments unless waste management improves dramatically worldwide. The study suggests that coordinated global policies targeting both plastic production and waste management are essential to curb environmental plastic pollution.
Reduction scenarios of plastic waste emission guided by the probability distribution model to avoid additional ocean plastic pollution by 2050s
Researchers developed a probability distribution model to predict future marine macroplastic and microplastic abundances under various waste emission scenarios. The study suggests that to achieve zero additional ocean plastic pollution by 2050, global plastic waste emissions would need to be reduced by at least 32% relative to 2019 levels by around 2035, requiring stringent systemic changes in waste management.
Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of marine plastic pollution: Evaluating policy effectiveness and mitigation strategies in the Global South.
Researchers synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence on marine plastic pollution in the Global South, identifying rapid urbanization, inadequate waste infrastructure, and weak governance as primary drivers, and recommending integrated strategies combining single-use plastic bans, extended producer responsibility, regional cooperation, and circular economy incentives.
Scenarios for future microplastic pollution reduction: an integrated modeling approach for over 10,000 rivers
Researchers used the MARINA-Plastics model to simulate microplastic inputs from sewage and open defecation into over 10,000 rivers globally from 2010 to 2100 under multiple SDG-aligned scenarios, finding that combined improvements in sewage treatment and reduced per capita plastic consumption could substantially reduce river pollution, while Africa's contribution is projected to surpass Europe's in the future.
Projections of plastic leakage to the environment to 2060
This review examines projected trends for plastic leakage to terrestrial and aquatic environments through 2060, finding that without intervention, plastics use and waste generation are expected to triple, substantially increasing environmental contamination and associated impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Evaluating scenarios toward zero plastic pollution
Researchers modeled five different intervention scenarios for reducing global plastic pollution between 2016 and 2040 and found that even implementing all feasible solutions would only cut pollution rates by 40% compared to 2016 levels. Under a business-as-usual scenario, 710 million metric tons of plastic waste would still accumulate in ecosystems even with immediate action. The study makes clear that coordinated global efforts across consumption reduction, recycling, waste collection, and innovation are urgently needed.
Marine plastic pollution: A systematic review of management strategies through a macroscope approach
Researchers applied a systems-level framework to review 176 studies on marine plastic pollution management, finding that waste collection infrastructure and freshwater pathways are critically understudied and that no existing strategy — from beach cleanup to biomaterials — is scalable enough to meaningfully reverse the plastic crisis.
Over 1000 rivers accountable for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean
A new modeling study identified that over 1,000 rivers worldwide account for 80% of all plastic entering the ocean, with the highest-emitting rivers concentrated in Asia and Africa. The model highlights which geographic regions and riverine sources offer the greatest opportunity for reducing ocean plastic pollution.
Combined Effects of Treatment and Sewer Connections to Reduce Future Microplastic Emissions in Rivers
Researchers applied the global water quality model MARINA-Plastics across 10,226 sub-basins worldwide to assess how different microplastic emission reduction scenarios would affect river inputs over the period 2010-2100. They found that combining improved wastewater treatment with expanded sewer connections produced the greatest reductions, highlighting the need for integrated infrastructure and treatment strategies.
Global analysis of marine plastics and implications of control measure strategies
This study provides a global overview of ocean plastic pollution, finding that plastic production has grown dramatically since the 1950s and over 1,000 rivers contribute 80% of the plastic entering oceans, with Asia as the largest source. Small microplastics dominate ocean surface contamination by particle count, even though larger pieces account for more mass. The review highlights that without major changes in waste management and recycling, plastic pollution will continue to threaten marine food chains and the people who depend on seafood.
Domestic waste management strategies to reduce future river export of macro- and microplastics to the coastal waters of Africa
Researchers applied the MARINA-Plastics model to African river systems to identify effective domestic waste management strategies, finding that improved waste collection and treatment could substantially reduce river export of macro- and microplastics to coastal waters under urbanization and climate change pressures.
New Management Strategy Framework for Effectively Managing Microplastic in Circular System from Plastic Product Manufacturing to Waste Treatment Facility
Researchers proposed a new management strategy framework for controlling microplastic release throughout the lifecycle of plastic products, from manufacturing through end-of-life in circular economy systems, incorporating soil, atmospheric, groundwater, and river-based pollution pathways. The framework provides actionable guidance for producers, regulators, and waste managers to systematically reduce microplastic entry into land and marine environments.
Global Material Flow of Macro‐ and Microplastics to Support a Circular Economy
Researchers developed a global material flow analysis of macro- and microplastics to identify where intervention efforts can best support a circular economy. The study found that current plastic waste reduction initiatives are often misaligned with the most impactful leverage points in the plastic material cycle.
Projected plastic waste loss scenarios between 2000 and 2030 into the largest freshwater-lake system in Southeast Asia
Researchers modeled plastic waste flowing into Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake system — Tonle Sap in Cambodia — estimating that over 221,000 tons entered between 2000 and 2020, while also showing that strict policy interventions could prevent 99% of future plastic losses and protect billions in natural resources.
Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal
Researchers projected global mismanaged plastic waste (plastic that ends up in the environment rather than being properly collected) through 2060, estimating it could triple from roughly 60–99 million tonnes in 2015 to 155–265 million tonnes annually — with African and Asian countries bearing a disproportionate share. Rivers were identified as the dominant pathway carrying 91% of land-based plastic waste to the ocean.
Developing a circular economy from plastic waste and identifying microplastics in domestic water supplies in Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeastern provinces
This study explored pathways for developing circular economy systems from plastic waste streams, including identification and quantification of microplastics at different stages of the waste cycle as a prerequisite for effective material recovery.
An Overview of the Current Trends in Marine Plastic Litter Management for a Sustainable Development
This review summarizes current knowledge about marine plastic litter, from its land-based origins to its distribution across ocean environments, and evaluates recovery and recycling strategies. Researchers found that while technologies for collecting and recycling marine plastics are advancing, significant economic and logistical barriers remain. The study emphasizes that a circular economy approach, combining prevention, collection, and material recovery, is essential for addressing ocean plastic pollution.
Bottlenecks of Global Plastic Strategy and the Way Forward of Microplastics Management
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.
Leaving a plastic legacy: Current and future scenarios for mismanaged plastic waste in rivers
Researchers modeled how mismanaged plastic waste enters and accumulates in river systems worldwide, estimating that about 0.8 million tonnes entered rivers in 2015 alone. They found that most plastic pollution stays within river environments rather than reaching the ocean, creating a long-lasting contamination legacy in sediments. The study projects that without significant waste management improvements, plastic accumulation in rivers will continue growing for decades.
What can global hydrological models tell us about sources and flows of riverine plastics?
Researchers used global hydrological models to estimate the sources and flows of riverine plastic pollution entering the ocean from different watersheds worldwide. The models highlighted that plastic delivery is highly variable across regions and is strongly linked to population density and waste management quality. This type of global modeling is essential for prioritizing where plastic waste reduction efforts will have the greatest impact.
Scenarios for future microplastic pollution reduction: an integrated modeling approach for over 10,000 rivers
Researchers developed scenarios incorporating UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 12 to model the effects of improved sanitation and reduced plastic consumption on microplastic pollution in over 10,000 rivers from 2010 to 2100 using the MARINA-Plastics model. They found that Europe and Asia were the two largest current contributors to global river microplastic pollution, that Africa's contribution is projected to exceed Europe's in the future, and that combining improved sewage treatment with reduced per capita plastic use produced the greatest pollution reductions.