Posted: June 24th, 2023

Critical analysis of policies on single-use plastics disposal

Critical analysis of policies on single-use plastics disposal from ships as a source of pollution to the marine environment

Single-use plastics (SUPs) are plastic products that are designed to be used only once before being discarded. They include items such as plastic bags, straws, cups, cutlery, bottles, and microbeads. SUPs have become ubiquitous in modern society due to their convenience, low cost, and durability. However, these same characteristics also pose serious environmental challenges, especially when SUPs end up in the marine environment.

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Marine plastic pollution is a global problem that affects the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods and well-being of coastal communities. According to a 2015 study, an estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic waste entered the oceans from land-based sources in 2010 (Jambeck et al., 2015). Another study estimated that there are 5.25 trillion plastic particles (weighing 269,000 tons) floating in the sea (Eriksen et al., 2014). Plastic debris can persist for hundreds to thousands of years in the marine environment, where it can degrade into smaller fragments (microplastics) or accumulate into large aggregations (macroplastics).

Plastic pollution can have various negative impacts on marine life and human health. Plastic debris can entangle, injure, or kill marine animals such as turtles, seabirds, fish, and mammals. Plastic ingestion can cause internal injuries, starvation, or reduced fitness in marine organisms. Plastic particles can also act as vectors for the transport of invasive species, pathogens, or harmful chemicals that can affect the food web and human health. Moreover, plastic pollution can damage the aesthetic, recreational, and economic value of marine and coastal areas.

Ships are one of the sources of marine plastic pollution. Ships can generate various types of plastic waste during their operations, such as packaging materials, food containers, fishing gear, or sanitary items. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ships are estimated to contribute about 20% of all marine litter (IMO, 2018). However, this figure may be underestimated due to the lack of reliable data and reporting mechanisms.

The disposal of plastic waste from ships is regulated by international and national policies. The main international instrument is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which was adopted by IMO in 1973 and entered into force in 1983. MARPOL Annex V, which deals with the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, was revised in 2011 and entered into force in 2013. The revised Annex V prohibits the discharge of all garbage into the sea, except under specific circumstances and conditions. It also requires ships to implement waste management plans and keep records of their garbage disposal operations.

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However, despite the existence of MARPOL Annex V and other relevant policies, the enforcement and compliance of these regulations remain challenging. Some of the factors that hinder the effective implementation of these policies include:

- Lack of awareness and education among ship operators and crew members about the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and their legal obligations.
- Lack of adequate port reception facilities for collecting and managing ship-generated waste in an environmentally sound manner.
- Lack of incentives or disincentives for ships to reduce their plastic waste generation or dispose of it properly.
- Lack of monitoring and surveillance systems to detect and deter illegal discharges of plastic waste from ships.
- Lack of coordination and cooperation among different stakeholders involved in the prevention and management of marine plastic pollution.

To address these challenges and reduce the harmful impacts of single-use plastics disposal from ships as a source of pollution to the marine environment, this paper proposes the following recommendations:

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- Strengthen the awareness and education campaigns among ship operators and crew members about the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and their legal obligations under MARPOL Annex V and other relevant policies.
- Improve the availability and accessibility of port reception facilities for collecting and managing ship-generated waste in an environmentally sound manner. This could include providing financial incentives or subsidies for ports to develop or upgrade their facilities, or imposing fees or penalties for ships that do not use them.
- Promote the adoption of best practices and technologies for reducing or eliminating single-use plastics on board ships. This could include encouraging or mandating ships to use reusable or biodegradable alternatives for packaging materials, food containers, cutlery, etc., or installing waste reduction or recycling systems on board.
- Enhance the monitoring and surveillance systems to detect and deter illegal discharges of plastic waste from ships. This could include using satellite imagery, aerial drones, remote sensors, or citizen science initiatives to collect data and evidence on ship-generated plastic pollution.
- Foster coordination and cooperation among different stakeholders involved in the prevention and management of marine plastic pollution. This could include establishing regional or global platforms or networks for sharing information, experiences, and best practices, or developing joint action plans or strategies for addressing the issue.

References:

- Eriksen, M., Lebreton, L. C., Carson, H. S., Thiel, M., Moore, C. J., Borerro, J. C., ... & Reisser, J. (2014). Plastic pollution in the world's oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea. PloS one, 9(12), e111913.
- IMO. (2018). Marine litter - IMO. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/marinelitter-default.aspx
- Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., ... & Law, K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
- Xanthos, D., & Walker, T. R. (2017). International policies to reduce plastic marine pollution from single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads): A review. Marine pollution bulletin, 118(1-2), 17-26.

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