We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The United States’ contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean
ClearFaculty Opinions recommendation of The United States' contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean.
This faculty opinion summarizes a landmark study estimating that the United States generates the most plastic waste of any country globally — 42 million metric tons in 2016 — with a significant portion improperly managed domestically or exported abroad. The U.S. contribution to plastic waste and thus eventual microplastic pollution is larger than previously acknowledged.
The United States requires effective federal policy to reduce marine plastic pollution
This study argued that the United States lacks effective federal policy to address marine plastic pollution, examining gaps in regulation of single-use plastics and fishing nets and calling for comprehensive federal legislation given that the U.S. ranks among the top 20 countries for mismanaged plastic waste entering the ocean.
Plastic Waste: Challenges and Opportunities to Mitigate Pollution and Effective Management
Researchers reviewed plastic waste generation and management strategies globally, identifying lack of technical skills, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and poor regulatory awareness as the main barriers to addressing the ~400 million tons of plastic produced annually.
The impact of improper solid waste management to plastic pollution in Indonesian coast and marine environment
Indonesia's plastic pollution problem in coastal and marine environments is largely driven by improper solid waste management on land, with rivers carrying significant plastic loads to the sea. The study emphasizes that improving terrestrial waste collection and disposal infrastructure is essential for reducing Indonesia's substantial contribution to ocean plastic pollution.
The Evolutionary Trend and Impact of Global Plastic Waste Trade Network
Analysis of the global plastic waste trade network from 1988 to 2017 found that recent national import bans have reshaped trade flows, with waste being redirected from China to other developing nations rather than reducing overall plastic waste generation.
The consequences of trade on global plastic pollution
By combining plastic waste generation data with global trade commodity data, researchers found that plastic waste exported from high-income countries and mismanaged in lower-income nations contributes 1.2 million metric tons of additional plastic to aquatic environments annually, increasing prior estimates of high-income country contributions by 51% for freshwater and 100% for marine environments. The findings reveal that international waste trade is a major underestimated driver of global plastic and microplastic pollution.
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.
Plastic waste discharge to the global ocean constrained by seawater observations
Researchers used ocean plastic concentration data combined with multiple ocean circulation models to estimate that approximately 0.7 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, though uncertainty spans nearly 1.5 orders of magnitude. The study emphasizes that improving emission inventories and ocean monitoring data are the highest priorities for reducing uncertainty in global plastic pollution estimates.
Quantity of plastic waste input into the ocean from China based on a material flow analysis model
Using a material flow analysis model combined with official Chinese statistics, researchers estimated how much plastic waste from China enters the ocean each year. The results quantify China's substantial contribution to global marine plastic pollution and provide baseline data to support policy efforts aimed at reducing ocean plastic inputs.
The marine plastic footprint
This report presents a methodology for calculating a 'marine plastic footprint' for industries and countries, estimating the proportion of plastic waste likely to leak into the ocean based on production, use, and regional waste management infrastructure, and mapping high-risk leakage points in supply chains.
Data Analysis on Factors Influencing Oceanic Plastic Pollution
A data analysis study examined the factors influencing oceanic plastic pollution, including population density, GDP, waste management infrastructure, and coastal proximity. The analysis identified waste mismanagement in high-population coastal regions as the primary driver of marine plastic input, contributing to the deaths of millions of marine animals annually.
Plastic pollution research in Indonesia: State of science and future research directions.
This meta-analysis reviews the state of plastic pollution research in Indonesia, a country identified as one of the top contributors to global plastic waste. The findings highlight significant gaps in data on microplastic contamination in Indonesian waters and ecosystems, which matters because plastic pollution from this region affects global ocean health and the seafood supply chain.
Plastic Pollution: Causes, Effects and Preventions
This study reviewed the causes, effects, and prevention strategies for plastic pollution, noting that only 9% of the 9 billion tonnes of plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills, dumps, or the natural environment. Based on fieldwork and stakeholder consultations with industries, environmental groups, health practitioners, and government ministries, the paper outlined the health and ecological consequences of widespread plastic waste.
Plastic Waste Management: Global Facts, Challenges and Solutions
This review summarised global statistics and challenges in plastic waste management, noting that most plastic waste ends up in landfill, with recycling remaining the least implemented disposal method. The authors highlighted that plastic degradation in terrestrial and aquatic environments produces microplastics that can enter human bodies through the food chain, skin-contact products, and bottled water, and outlined current and emerging solutions to the global plastic waste crisis.
Analysis of Plastic Waste Processing Methods
This review summarizes global plastic waste production and recycling trends, arguing that the recycling industry must scale up urgently to address growing environmental contamination. Current recycling rates remain far below what is needed to prevent plastic pollution from continuing to accumulate.
Marine Plastic Pollution: Current Situation, Impacts, and Governance Strategies
This review examines the current state of marine plastic pollution, noting that approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean annually. The study discusses how plastics decompose and release toxic substances that harm marine life, and how plastic particles can enter the human food chain, while highlighting governance strategies and international efforts to address the problem.
The plastic waste problem in Malaysia: management, recycling and disposal of local and global plastic waste
This review examines Malaysia's plastic waste crisis, including its status as the world's largest importer of plastic waste since 2017. The paper covers the human health and environmental risks from microplastics generated through landfill leaching, incineration, and degradation of improperly managed waste. The findings highlight how plastic waste mismanagement in one country can become a source of microplastic pollution that affects communities locally and globally.
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.
Mapping mismanaged plastic waste in Indonesia: subdistrict-level analysis through material flow from sources to the environment
Researchers found that Indonesia produces over 9 million tons of plastic waste each year, with more than 1 million tons ending up directly in rivers, drains, and illegally dumped on land. This mismanaged plastic waste breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics that can contaminate drinking water and food sources, potentially affecting human health. The study helps identify pollution hotspots where better waste management could reduce plastic entering the environment and our bodies.
Mapping of global plastic value chain and plastic losses to the environment: with a particular focus on marine environment
This report maps the global plastic value chain from production through use to waste management, estimating that millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with significant regional variation in management capacity. The analysis provides the economic and waste management context needed to understand why plastic pollution — and the resulting microplastic problem — continues to grow globally.
Plastic Pollution and Potential Solutions
This review provides a broad overview of plastic pollution, covering the full lifecycle from manufacturing through disposal and environmental degradation. Researchers note that of the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic ever produced, roughly 79% has ended up in landfills or the natural environment, where it breaks down into micro- and nanoplastics that persist for centuries. The study discusses potential solutions including improved recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and policy interventions to reduce plastic waste.
Plastic Waste: Current Environmental Pollution, Health Hazard and Biodegradation Strategies and Its Management
This review paper surveys the scope of global plastic pollution, covering environmental contamination, health hazards, and biodegradation strategies. The study highlights that with plastic production exceeding 390 million tons by 2021, effective waste management and biodegradation approaches are urgently needed to address microplastic accumulation.
Current scenario and challenges of plastic pollution in Bangladesh: a focus on farmlands and terrestrial ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the sources, dispersion routes, and environmental consequences of plastic waste across global and Bangladesh-specific contexts, finding that inadequate infrastructure and limited resources make plastic pollution — including microplastics entering agricultural soils, marine environments, and food chains — an especially acute threat in developing countries.
Developing a method for estimation of plastic waste leaked into the ocean
Researchers developed a methodology for estimating how much plastic waste leaks into the ocean from Vietnam, combining national waste generation data with leakage factors. The lack of standardized data was identified as a major obstacle to accurate assessment. A reliable estimation method is essential for measuring progress toward Vietnam's goal of reducing marine plastic debris by 75% by 2030.