Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the marine environment. Fishermen have a keen interest in solving the entanglement
problem because ropes and net fragments wrapped around propellers or plastic bags
sucked into engine intake systems result in breakdown. The plastics industry has
taken an active part in seeking solutions to the plastic debris problem. They initiated
research to further develop photodegradable and biodegradable plastics for speciic
applications. Recycling and scrap industries are interested in the collection of plastic
materials because of new domestic and overseas markets.
5.6 Conclusions
Considering the wide range of sources of plastics, measures to prevent and combat
plastics in the sea have to be very comprehensive. Preventive measures could include,
among other things,
better plastic waste management on land and at sea, and
education and awareness raising activities. Good waste management should begin with
preventing waste generation or collecting the already generated waste and ensuring
its reuse and recycling or its safe disposal.
For preventing disposal of plastics into the sea from merchant ships, offshore
platforms, ishing craft and so on, efforts should be made to reduce the generation
of waste, putting in place proper waste management plans onboard these vessels and
onboard storage of wastes and their discharge ashore in a proper reception facility.
All beaches should be suficiently equipped with waste bins to cater to the needs of
users of beaches, campers and so on, and using these locations for disposal of plastics
and other wastes.
Education, information and training are needed to raise the awareness of everyone's
responsibility to prevent plastic pollution in the sea. Education on the sources and
effects of plastic wastes on the marine environment and biodiversity and the ways of
reducing the problem at source needs to be addressed adequately.
Regular coastal clean-up operations need to be carried out in order to maintain the
recreational and aesthetic values of coastal beaches and keep them safe for users of
the beaches and as a major educational and information campaign to reach all people.
In addition to beach clean-ups, campaigns and projects to clean-up coral reefs and
other critical coastal and marine habitats of plastic debris, should also be carried out.
For encouraging reuse of the plastic bottles and to reduce the temptation for
indiscriminate disposal of plastic wastes deposit/refund programmes
on plastic bottles,
could be introduced.
