Evaluating scenarios toward zero plastic pollution

2020/07/23 by Winnie W. Y. Lau, Yonathan Shiran, Richard M. Bailey +26 · 43 citations
Environmental Science · #Microplastics and Plastic Pollution #Municipal Solid Waste Management #Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

paper · doi:10.1126/science.aba9475

openalex publication_date 2020/07/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a pervasive and growing problem. To estimate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce plastic pollution, we modeled stocks and flows of municipal solid waste and four sources of microplastics through the global plastic system for five scenarios between 2016 and 2040. Implementing all feasible interventions reduced plastic pollution by 40% from 2016 rates and 78% relative to "business as usual" in 2040. Even with immediate and concerted action, 710 million metric tons of plastic waste cumulatively entered aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To avoid a massive build-up of plastic in the environment, coordinated global action is urgently needed to reduce plastic consumption; increase rates of reuse, waste collection, and recycling; expand safe disposal systems; and accelerate innovation in the plastic value chain.

Citations

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