Plastic Pollution and Potential Solutions

Plastic pollution is defined as the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth’s environment that are known to negatively impact wildlife, humans, and the biological state of the ocean. In recent years, the volume of plastic present in our oceans has dramatically increased, due to a rising global population and industry demand. Plastic pollution raised the concern of environmental scientists in the late 1960s, and since then continuing research has been conducted to find potential solutions to rid the oceans of the present plastic and prevent future plastic from ending up there in the first place. The following literature review surveys conversations from scholars about the methods being used to solve the plastic pollution epidemic. Specifically, the review will focus on causes, preventative measures, legislation effectiveness and design, and emerging technologies that may aid in solving the issue.

Causes The rise of plastic pollution in the oceans has gained the concern of many scientists and researchers. According to Haward, “A vast majority of marine plastic pollution derives from land-based sources (4.8-12.7 million metric tonnes of plastic annually), so a sole focus on marine oriented solutions is insufficient” (Haward 1), claiming that the main source of marine plastic pollution is land-based sources. In contrast, scholar Le Billion analyzed treaty design as a global solution to marine plastic pollution claims that failed waste management and recycling systems are to blame (Le Billon 94). Related to Le Billion and Hawards’ research, S.B. Obebe and Adamu A.A. narrow the scope and claim that plastics only exist because of their precursors and polymerization method, “The main contributory factors to the problem of plastic pollution are fishing nets, plain old trash, disposing of plastic and garbage, and over-utilisation of plastics.” (Obebe 87). Despite the differences of opinions on the direct causes of plastic pollution, the authors all agree that plastic pollution must be prevented and stopped.

Prevention and Solutions Acknowledging the serious problem of the vast amount of plastic debris in our world's oceans, many scientists and researchers have been researching how to prevent plastic from ending up in the ocean originally. Collecting ideas about possible solutions and preventive measures has stumped many researchers and emerged from different viewpoints on the issue. Authors S.B. Obebe and Adamu A.A. respond to the plastic pollution epidemic by setting the stage for the broad range of measures that can be taken to tackle the plastic pollution epidemic, “Reuse, reduce, recycle, educate business, government intervention, and use of biodegradable additives.” (Adamu 92-93). Researcher Emma Schamltz narrows the scope by reviewing emerging technologies to prevent plastic pollution. Schmaltz goes deeper and breaks out of the paradigm going beyond to state what these preventive measures should achieve, “One solution is the development and mobilization of technologies that either 1) prevent plastics from entering waterways or 2) collect marine and riverine plastic pollution.” (Schmaltz 1). In contrast to what other researchers have stated, Stafford and Jones suggest preventive measures to reduce plastic pollution are ineffective in solving the problem altogether, “...are likely to have the greatest effect, not in directly reducing plastic pollution, but in altering the behavior of retailers offering these products, or in shaping small changes to government policy.” (Stafford 189). Suggesting

that legislation is the best preventative measure that can be taken, this opens up another micro-conservation within plastic pollution.

Legislation Authors Yohannan, Tudor, and Wysocki explore the effectiveness of existing and potential legislation that contributes to the research on plastic pollution solutions. Wysocki sets the stage for the debate by stating “A legally binding mechanism on the global level could overcome some challenges of marine plastics governance.” (Wysocki 93). Suggesting that treaty design is the best method to go about solving the plastic pollution epidemic, he states “...treaty design influences the success of international; regimes through its ability to incentivise participation, reward compliance and deter non-compliance among parties.” (Wysocki 93). In contrast, in a paper researching the effectiveness of legislation on plastics in the UK and South Pacific, author David T. Tudor rejects the idea that legislation measures are successful. “No single strategy, measure or piece of legislation exists that will reduce the volume of plastic entering the ocean or the impact that debris is having on our planet.” (Tudor 16). His research concludes that something more like a treaty design which author Wysocki suggests, could be effective, “Coordinated global action is required to bring a lasting societal and environmental change.” (Tudor 1). More recently, Suzzanne Yohannan highlights more current legislation efforts being made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In her paper, she claims that the EPA has developed an outline for a congressionally mandated strategy to tackle the volume of plastic debris polluting the oceans. Although behind, the outline should be published and set into effect by the end of 2022. In opposition to a coordinated global solution suggested by Wysocki, the outline “...directs EPA to distribute the strategy to states and the public, including for use by

non-profit groups involved in post-consumer materials management and other nongovernmental groups.” (Yohannan 2).

Technologies On the other hand, authors Emma Schmaltz and Richard Stafford suggest that modern technology is the mode of solution. “At a larger scale, technology can offer solutions to environmental issues, seemingly without changes needing to be made to our consumerist lifestyles.” (Stafford 188). He is claiming that technology can cut out the need to reduce the amount of plastic we use as humans, suggesting the use of technology as a preventive measure. He goes further into the claim by stating, “For effective plastic recycling, technological input is vital, as plastic currently degrades each time it is recycled.” (Stafford 189). In Schmaltz’s article, she narrows the scope to specific technologies that can achieve change, “One solution is the development and mobilization of technologies that either 1) prevent plastics from entering waterways or 2) collect marine and riverine plastic pollution.” (Schmaltz 1). Finding fifty-two technologies that either work to prevent or collect plastic pollution, she shows her support for the statement made by previously listed authors and articles that a united, global solution is the way to go. “The enormity of the plastic pollution epidemic requires a large-scale, global response that effectively implements and expands on current technological solutions.” (Schmaltz 11).

Conclusion In conclusion, all of the authors agree that fighting the plastic pollution epidemic is hard and no one solution is evident and proven effective. Globally, scientists and researchers have dedicated themselves to finding a solution to plastic pollution. Current research focuses on preventative measures, including legislation and technologies that will work to reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans. Highlighting the urgent need for a change, all authors counteract and acknowledge that it is a hard problem to solve and no one solution is apparent and effective. The global population needs to be aware that without a change, soon, our oceans could vanish. A method not discussed in the literature review but one that I have seen first-handly be effective is non-profit organizations focused directly on implementing change and solutions- on a local level. An example of this here in Wilmington is the Plastic Ocean Project (POP). Consisting of passionate ocean lovers, POP works to educate the public and raise awareness by hosting beach clean-ups, festivals, brewery events, establishing “Ocean Friendly Establishments” and so much more. If there were enough organizations like this one globally, I believe we would be one step in the right direction to effectively implement change and reduce the amount of debris ending up in our oceans.

Works Cited Obebe, S.B. “Plastic Pollution: Causes, Effects and Preventions .” International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020, 2020. Schmaltz, Emma, et al. “Plastic Pollution Solutions: Emerging Technologies to Prevent and Collect Marine Plastic Pollution.” Environment International, vol. 144, 2020, p. 106067., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106067. Stafford, Richard, and Peter J.S. Jones. “Viewpoint – Ocean Plastic Pollution: A Convenient but Distracting Truth?” Marine Policy, vol. 103, 2019, pp. 187–191., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.02.003. Tessnow-von Wysocki, Ina, and Philippe Le Billon. “Plastics at Sea: Treaty Design for a Global Solution to Marine Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Policy, vol. 100, 2019, pp. 94–104., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.06.005. Tudor, David T., and Allan T. Williams. “The Effectiveness of Legislative and Voluntary Strategies to Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution: Lessons from the UK and South Pacific.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 172, 2021, p. 112778., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112778. Yohannan, Suzanne. “Inside EPA's Superfund Report.” EPA PUSHING TO FINALIZE PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION STRATEGY BY END OF YEAR, 2022.