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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The United States requires effective federal policy to reduce marine plastic pollution
ClearMarine litter: how to monitor, reduce and prevent ocean debris. Focus on plastics and microplastics.
This report reviewed the growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and the policy landscape for addressing it, emphasizing that production, use, and end-of-life management all require reform. It frames plastic pollution as a systemic challenge requiring coordinated international action rather than single-issue solutions.
Analysis of Marine Plastic Pollution and Environmental Problems
This review examines the sources, environmental and socioeconomic effects, and policy responses to marine plastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge is substantial, policy and regulatory initiatives have so far been inadequate and inconsistent across countries. The paper calls for stronger international coordination and more effective governance tools to meaningfully reduce plastic inputs to the ocean.
The United States’ contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean
Researchers found that the United States generated the largest amount of plastic waste of any country in 2016 at 42 million metric tons, with a significant portion being illegally dumped or exported to countries with poor waste management. The study estimates that between 0.91 and 2.24 million metric tons of U.S. plastic waste ended up in the environment, highlighting the need for improved domestic waste reduction strategies.
On the Challenge of Plastic Wastes and Litter in Oceans: Some Policy Reflections
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.
Plastic marine pollution
This paper analyzes the causes and consequences of marine plastic pollution, reviews alternative solutions proposed by various actors, and assesses the effectiveness of current international actions. It concludes that existing efforts are insufficient given the scale of plastic entering the oceans each year.
Managing Marine Plastic Pollution: Policy Initiatives to Address Wayward Waste
This policy analysis reviews local, national, and international initiatives aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution, from plastic bag bans to proposed international agreements. While policy action is growing, the article highlights that global coordination and enforcement remain major challenges in meaningfully reducing ocean plastic waste.
Indonesia's Policy in Addressing Marine Debris
This review examines the scale of marine debris — predominantly plastic — as a serious threat to ocean ecosystems, marine life, and fishing economies in Indonesia, one of the world's largest plastic-polluting nations. The paper evaluates Indonesia's existing policies (improved waste management, public education) and finds them insufficient, recommending a comprehensive, coordinated national approach. Indonesia's marine plastic challenge is a bellwether for the broader global problem of plastic waste reaching the ocean.
An International Legal Framework for Marine Plastics Pollution
This legal analysis reviews the current international framework for regulating marine plastics and identifies significant gaps and inconsistencies across treaties and agreements. The chapter argues that stronger, more unified global legal instruments are needed to effectively reduce plastic pollution in the world's oceans.
Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics
This UN Environment Programme report reviews the science on marine plastic debris and microplastics, identifies priority areas for action, and calls for improved waste management to reduce plastic flowing into oceans. It synthesizes existing research and provides policy recommendations for governments and industry.
The Role of Legislation, Regulatory Initiatives and Guidelines on the Control of Plastic Pollution
This review examines existing plastic pollution regulations globally, finding that despite many proposals and national bans, the overall effectiveness of legislation is unclear and most measures focus narrowly on marine plastics or single-use items. The authors argue that laws often lag behind science and face practical limitations given how deeply embedded plastics are in daily life.
Plastics in Marine Environment
This review summarizes the growing problem of plastic debris in the marine environment, noting that over 700 marine species are affected and that microplastics can transfer pollutants up the food chain. It calls for stronger international policies and waste management improvements to address the crisis.
Explore the Impact of Marine Plastic Pollution and Countermeasures
This paper reviewed the scope of marine plastic pollution, its distribution across ocean ecosystems, and its socioeconomic effects on coastal communities, finding that existing international agreements and waste management efforts remain insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
US plastics and recycling troubles will worsen
This commentary critiques U.S. plastics legislation for studying the problem rather than committing to meaningful policy action. The author warns that microplastic proliferation will continue with uncertain health consequences, and that a change in administration would likely further delay federal efforts to address plastic waste.
Stemming the Tide of Plastic Marine Litter: A Global Action Agenda
This policy brief reviews global agreements and national policies relevant to marine plastic litter and provides a set of recommendations for reducing ocean plastic pollution by 2025. An estimated 20 million tons of plastic litter enter the ocean each year, causing environmental and economic harms that require coordinated international action.
Suggestions for a Systematic Regulatory Approach to Ocean Plastics
This study investigates the regulatory challenges posed by ocean plastic pollution and proposes a systematic, multi-actor regulatory framework integrating scientific findings, existing strategies, and action plans across four intervention areas. The authors argue that coordinated international regulatory approaches are needed to effectively address the more than eight million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually.
Marine debris: A review of impacts and global initiatives
This review provides a comprehensive overview of marine debris and its environmental, economic, and social impacts worldwide. Researchers found that plastics represent 50 to 90 percent of all marine debris, with millions of metric tonnes entering the oceans annually. The study surveys global policy initiatives aimed at reducing marine litter and identifies the need for more coordinated international action to address this pervasive pollution problem.
Marine Litter: Solutions for a Major Environmental Problem
This paper reviews the sources, distribution, and impacts of marine litter — primarily plastics — on beaches and oceans, and surveys proposed solutions ranging from improved waste management to policy interventions and cleanup technologies. It provides a broad overview of the challenge of reducing plastic pollution at a global scale.
Plastic pollution of the world’s seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge in ocean governance
This paper frames plastic pollution of the world's seas and oceans as a defining contemporary challenge in ocean stewardship, reviewing the scale of the problem and arguing for urgent policy and management responses.
Review of Current Policies on Plastic Discharge and Policy Implications on Microplastic Reduction
Researchers reviewed current global policies addressing plastic discharge and assessed their implications for reducing microplastic pollution. The study highlights the urgency of the problem as outlined by UNEP reports and evaluates how existing regulatory frameworks could be strengthened to more effectively curb microplastic contamination.
International treaties, national laws, and best legal practices for addressing plastic pollution in the oceans
This thesis examines plastic pollution in the world's oceans through the lens of international treaties, national laws, and social dynamics, evaluating the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks and best practices for addressing the growing crisis of marine plastic contamination.
The ocean plastic pollution challenge: towards solutions in the UK
This brief report outlines the scale of ocean plastic pollution and discusses potential solutions being explored in the United Kingdom. It provides a policy-oriented overview of approaches to reduce plastic waste entering marine environments.
Why we need an international agreement on marine plastic pollution
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.
Marine Plastic Monitoring, Assessment, and Policy
This review covers the current state of marine plastic monitoring systems, assessment frameworks, and policy instruments globally, examining data collection methods, international agreements, and gaps in enforcement. The authors highlight that inconsistent monitoring protocols and lack of binding global treaty mechanisms remain critical barriers to effective marine plastic governance.
Faculty 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.