The Role of Policy in Tackling Plastic Waste in the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

The release of plastic waste into aquatic environments, both fresh and sea waters, has been recognised as a major environmental problem due to the global nature of the issue and its ecological and socio-economic impacts. It is estimated that approximately 8 million tonnes of plastics are released into the world’s oceans each year. The global nature of marine litter calls for actions to be undertaken at all levels and across all geographies.

While a number of policies and initiatives are in place to address the release of plastics to the environment, a growing accumulation is expected if further actions are not taken, with almost 250 million metric tonnes of plastics estimated to reach our oceans by 2050.

Instruments which prevent plastic waste are particularly needed. These include actions to reduce the production and consumption of plastics, as well as encouraging reuse, recycling, and a better design of plastic products. Many plastic products, particularly those designed for single use, are vulnerable to enter the environment as litter and present a specific challenge for waste management.

At the European Union level, a range of policies is under development to target sustainability issues in relation to plastics, including their release into the aquatic environment. This relates closely to the EU’s agenda on circular economy transition – providing one framework to support policy development.

This chapter explores the policy instruments that can be applied to tackle the issue of plastics in the aquatic environment. Examples include market-based instruments, regulations, information tools, and voluntary schemes. Particular attention will be given to market-based instruments, including taxes and fees used as a market signal to reduce the use of certain products, materials, and specific applications (e.g. packaging). In addition, instruments such as deposit-refund schemes and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes have been widely adopted presenting the potential to support the uptake, quality, and economics of recycling as well as reuse, therefore reducing litter. The chapter will cover revised EU waste legislation and targets, as well as the recently published EU Strategy on Plastics, as measures to encourage better management of plastic waste.

The chapter draws on evidence gathered within a number of studies carried out by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, which have covered policies addressing plastics, including specific research on the socio-economics of marine litter, market-based instruments (EPR schemes), port reception facilities, and packaging.