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Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 18978

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Amila Abeynayaka

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Guest Editor

IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), 2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama 240-0115, Kanagawa, Japan
Interests: life cycle assessment; circular economy; marine plastic litter; microplastics; citizen science approach; environmental policy research; evidence-based policy; waste valorization

Dr. Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage

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Guest Editor

IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), 2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama 240-0115, Kanagawa, Japan
Interests: participatory planning; sustainable cities; waste management; circular economy; citizen science approach; environmental policy research; evidence-based policy

Prof. Dr. Thammarat Koottatep

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Guest Editor

Environmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Interests: sustainable waste management; circular economy; marine plastic abatement; waste valorization; urban waste and wastewater management; waste and wastewater treatment technologies

Dr. Kavinda Gunasekara

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Guest Editor

Geoinformatics Center, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Interests: geospatial applications; integration of deep learning/AI technologies; citizen science approach; integration and implementation of digital technologies and tools; land-based plastic leakage mapping

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plastic production and utilization have increased tremendously during the past couple of decades and have reached a remarkable level under the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, 1.6 million tons/day of plastic waste have been generated globally. These anthropogenic synthetic materials have accumulated across a range of environments, with marine plastic litter in particular being particularly widely researched and discussed. The presence of microplastics in terrestrial and atmospheric environments and the accompanying impacts on agriculture, wildlife, and humans are also receiving attention.

Plastic litter originates from many sources and has major environmental, economic, health, and cultural impacts. To address this urgent situation, there needs to be robust coordination and sustained action among stakeholders. Policy and governance measures are recognized as important elements of this action. Moreover, sustainability approaches such as life-cycle thinking, circular economy (CE), and environmentally sound management (ESM) strategies of waste management should be fully considered to address the issue of plastic litter.

Assessing the impact of plastic litter plays an important role in providing decision-makers with information. However, this impact assessment requires plastic inventory data and the development of impact assessment methods. Impact assessment consists of three main factors—fate, exposure, and effect—and thus requires collective efforts, with coordination across many disciplines. The integration of digital tools and technologies has become much easier to utilize for plastic litter monitoring at the city scale and potential linkage to evidence-based policy decisions.

On the other hand, in terms of policy aspects, science-based policymaking processes have received a great deal of attention over the past few years. The diversity of plastic waste, differing waste management systems, and multiple stakeholders are all areas that require special consideration in the policy-development process. Policymakers at the global, regional, national, and local levels must consider the quality, quantity, and diversity of data as equally important.

Traditional and innovative approaches such as waste profiling surveys, toolkits and databases, machine learning, and advanced modeling applications in the waste sector are all ways to fill the existing gaps in plastic litter inventory databases (such as life cycle inventories and transboundary plastic movement inventories) and ensure better impact assessment (life cycle impact assessment, toxicity assessment, and economic impact assessment).

This Special Issue (SI), “Inventories and Impact Assessment for Science-Based Policy”, aims to compile original research papers, reviews, perspectives, and minireviews on the subject of marine plastic litter and microplastics.

Dr. Amila Abeynayaka
Dr. Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage
Prof. Dr. Thammarat Koottatep
Dr. Kavinda Gunasekara
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plastic litter
microplastics
life-cycle thinking
life-cycle ssessment
circular economy
marine litter
plastic inventory
end-of-life impacts
monitoring
citizen science
digital tools
deep learning/AI technologies
science-based policy
evidence-based policy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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22 pages, 2285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Impacts of Sustainability Practices in the Production and Use of Carrier Bags

by Vidas Lekavičius, Viktorija Bobinaitė, Rimantė Balsiūnaitė, Daina Kliaugaitė, Kristina Rimkūnaitė and Jovita Vasauskaitė

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512060 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1157

Abstract

Although the negative environmental impact of plastic carrier bags has long been known, their use in Europe continues undiminished. Lithuania stands out for its high use and production of plastic bags. Governments and sustainability-driven businesses are taking various measures to reduce the environmental impact. Such measures include strategies to replace conventional plastic bags with paper or bioplastic bags, to reduce plastic bags by encouraging consumers to reuse them, and similar strategies. In contrast to the environmental impact of plastic bags, the socioeconomic effects of strategies to reduce their use have been much less studied in the scientific literature. Therefore, this paper analyses the impact of sustainability practices in the producing and using of carrier bags on Lithuania’s gross domestic product (GDP), employment and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study uses the CleanProdLT computable general equilibrium model based on the latest available data for 2020. The model allows for analysis of economy-wide effects by considering cleaner production and more sustainable consumption scenarios at different levels of detail. The results of the analysis show that while the analysed substitution of plastic bags with bioplastic (BioPlastic scenario) or paper bags (PaperBags scenario) has positive socioeconomic impacts, the overall best results can be achieved by reducing their consumption (ConsReduction scenario). In detail, it is estimated that the GDP could increase by EUR 18 million under the PaperBags scenario, by EUR 47 million under the BioPlastic scenario, and by EUR 64 million under the ConsReduction scenario. At the same time, employment increases by 213 jobs, 891 jobs, and 449 jobs, respectively. While the PaperBags and the BioPlastic scenarios reveal increases in GHG emissions of 4.5 ktCO_2eq. and 29 ktCO_2eq., respectively, the ConsReduction scenario demonstrates a decrease in GHG emissions of 4 ktCO_2eq.. These findings suggest that the recent policy decision to charge for plastic bags in supermarkets will have positive environmental and socioeconomic impacts in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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13 pages, 1873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion

by Elias W. Gabisa, Chavalit Ratanatamskul and Shabbir H. Gheewala

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511529 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2330

Abstract

Plastic waste is the most challenging type of waste because its generation rate (consumption rate) is high, and the current recycling rate is low. The increase in the production and disposal of plastics has led to significant environmental problems including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, microplastic pollution, and resource depletion. The study aimed at quantifying the potential environmental effects reduction achieved by recycling the most widely consumed polymers. One approach to establishing a circular economy for plastics is recycling. Plastic recycling as a strategy to reduce life cycle GHG emissions, microplastic emissions, and resource depletion was investigated. Life cycle assessment methodology was employed, considering cradle-to-gate as a system boundary. The results showed that recycling can significantly reduce life cycle GHG emissions and resource depletion. Replacing the virgin material with recycled material reduces the emission to −67 MtCO₂e. Recycling could have saved 56.8 million microplastic emissions per year. However, mechanical recycling, which is commercialised nowadays, contributed to an increase in microplastics as much as 2.4 × 10⁹ million particles per year. Recycling will also save about 50 million tonnes of resources from depletion worldwide by recycling around 20 Mt plastics. However, microplastic emissions reduction in the present scenario of mechanical recycling is not possible unless other mechanisms to capture the emitted microplastics are introduced or other recycling methods, such as chemical recycling, are employed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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14 pages, 1983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Plastic Circularity: Current Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Japan and Sri Lanka

by Sayaka Ono, Harshi Tharangika Sirisena Aluthduwe Hewage and Chettiyappan Visvanathan

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7550; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097550 - 04 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3108

Abstract

Despite their different economic backgrounds, Japan and Sri Lanka share similarities as island nations. As a developing country, Sri Lanka needs to identify the country’s existing situation of Plastic Waste Management (PWM) to improve the circularity in the sector. Japan’s existing PWM strategies are a pointer for Sri Lanka to improve the circularity along the plastic value chain. The main aspects that are considered in this study are quantitative data related to the plastic value chain, plastic recycling technologies, plastic recycling businesses, policies, regulations related to plastic waste management, and public awareness strategies in plastic waste management. The methodology relied on literature review and interviews. The main focus of these interviews was to fill the information gap that was identified during the literature review. Japan is practicing all the stages of the plastic value chain, including virgin plastic production, whereas virgin plastic production is absent in Sri Lanka. Technological and policy advancements like the application of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in PWM in Japan can be used as a means of achieving circularity in the Sri Lankan PWM sector. The well-established informal plastic recycling industry in Sri Lanka is a significant feature compared to Japan’s formal plastic recycling industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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25 pages, 4839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka

by Sivappirakasam Kamalakkannan, Amila Abeynayaka, Asela K. Kulatunga, Rajeev Kumar Singh, Miwa Tatsuno and Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14170; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114170 - 30 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4921

Abstract

The global demand for plastic is expected to double in the next 20 years. The increasing demand for Single-Use Plastic Products (SUPPs) has become one of the main environmental problems in many developing countries, including Sri Lanka, through direct and indirect means, in the way of excessive consumption and the pollution of the environment through waste generation. In this way, there is a pressing need to accelerate the sustainability evaluation, comparison, impact mitigation and policy recommendation of SUPPs to address the environmental impacts and sustainable development. Therefore, this study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of SUPPs for policy decision making in Sri Lanka using life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques. Accordingly, the most popular and widely used single-use plastic products, which are under consideration for regulation in Sri Lanka, and their possible alternatives, are considered for this LCA study. The results reveal that SUPPs produced using polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have a significant contribution in all life cycle stages, in terms of global warming potential (GWP) and endpoint impact categories. However, the outcomes of the study reveal that the net GWP impact of SUPPs that have recycling practice at the end of life shows better performance compared to incineration and landfill. In addition, the polylactic acid- (PLA)-based products also show a significant impact on mid- and end-point GWP impact categories. Remarkably, the midpoint analysis of PLA-based products and their alternatives emphasized that PLA production was the most impactful for most of the midpoint impact categories due to PLA resin production, which contributes significantly to all impact categories. In particular, for the pesticide bottles with the preferred end-of-life option of incineration, the HDPE indicates a 7.6% lower GWP compared to PET. For reusable steel cutlery, the largest GWP-associated life cycle stage is the user phase (97.5%), which includes cleaning the cutlery. However, the overall reduction in GWP in the use of steel, considering the best (PS with recycling) and worst (PS with incineration) case scenarios, with single-use items are 0.01 and 0.05 kg CO₂ (eq), respectively. In the case of pesticide bottles, with the preferred end-of-life option being incineration, the HDPE indicates a 7.6% lower GWP compared to PET. the study reveals that conducting LCA will facilitate scientific decision making for policy interventions related to SUPPs and their processes. Notably, the study shows that, at present, the capability of conducting LCA studies to evaluate the sustainability performance of SUPPs in Sri Lanka is limited due to the lack of life cycle inventory (LCI) data availability on SUPPs and relevant waste management practices in Sri Lanka. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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22 pages, 9823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GIS and Remote Sensing-Based Approach for Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Leakage and Pollution Reduction in the Lower Mekong River Basin

by Dan Tran-Thanh, Aprilia Nidia Rinasti, Kavinda Gunasekara, Angsana Chaksan and Makoto Tsukiji

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7879; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137879 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3109

Abstract

Determination of plastic leakage sources and pathways is essential in plastic pollution mitigation. Finding ways to stem land-sourced plastic waste leakage requires understanding its sources. Spatial analysis conducted in a geographic information system (GIS) environment and remote sensing investigation uncovered insights into the distribution of plastic leakage in the lower Mekong River basin (LMRB). The main objectives of this approach were: (i) to map plastic leakage density using multi-source geospatial data; and (ii) to identify plastic leakage source hotspots and their accumulation pathways by incorporating hydrological information. Mapping results have shown that plastic leakage density was highly concentrated in urban areas with a high intensity of human activities. In contrast, the major pathways for plastic leakage source hotspots were the high morphometric areas directly influenced by facilities, infrastructure, and population. The overall efforts in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed novel method used for predicting plastic leakage density and its sources from land-based activities. It is also accomplished using multi-geospatial data with GIS-based analysis to produce a graphical model for plastic leakage waste density in each region that non-technical personnel can easily visualize. The proposed method can be applied to other areas beyond the LMRB to improve the baseline information on plastic waste leakage into the river. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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13 pages, 1073 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Role of Citizen Scientists in Environmental Plastic Litter Research—A Systematic Review

by Cristina L. Popa, Simona I. Dontu, Dan Savastru and Elfrida M. Carstea

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013265 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2494

Abstract

In recent years, citizen science has proven to be an effective means of monitoring plastic litter, bring potential benefits to professional researchers and authorities, and create awareness on plastic pollution at a society level. This paper aims to review the advances of employing the citizen science approach for plastic litter evaluation and explore the research contributions of these initiatives and their impact at the society and environmental levels. A systematic search was undertaken using the main scientific paper databases and back-referencing from reviewed papers over a period of 10 years. Out of 221 papers found, only 94 papers that discussed plastic litter/waste and citizen science remained in the analysis. Geographically, 66% of the studies were concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere (mostly in USA). The majority were related to clean-up activities that analysed litter density, types, and potential sources. The results showed that citizens can provide data over large geographical regions and can be essential to researchers and authorities in implementing litter management policies. Citizen science programs are effective in creating awareness and increasing education regarding plastic litter pollution and impact. However, it is not clear if they can enhance behavioural changes after participation in field survey programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Pollution Inventories and Impact Assessments for Science-Based Policy)

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