Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Supportregional,nationalandinternationaleffortstoreduceandeliminatemarine
plastic debris.
• Activelysupportandparticipateinthedevelopmentofpublicinformationand
education materials to provide for increased public awareness of the impacts of
marine debris on aquatic species. Furthermore, it should facilitate the effective
transfer to users of new and innovative information and techniques regarding
plastic recycling, packaging, alternative materials, and ways to effect change in
individual disposal habits.
• Supportandencouragerigorousenforcementoflaws,regulations,andstandards
pertaining to marine debris.
• Supportandencourageprogrammestoidentify,inventory,anddocumentsensitive
habitats and species impacted by plastic debris, and utilise this information to
devise corrective actions.
• Encouragestudiesdesignedtodetermineandapplythemosteffectivemeansof
increasing the recycling of plastic and other synthetic materials.
• Emphasisetheneedforfurtherresearchonbiodegradability,andthedevelopment
of new, more environmentally sound packaging technology.
• Lobbyforsensiblelegislation,whichaimstocontrolthedisposalandrecycling
of non-degradable debris.
• Regulatesingle-useplasticproductsandpackagingthathavelowornon-existent
recycling levels. Policies such as bottle deposit laws, polystyrene food takeout
packaging bans, and regulations targeting single-use water bottles and shopping
bags which have been implemented successfully in several countries around the
world should be replicated everywhere.
• Asnotedpreviously,plasticsandsyntheticsconstitutethemajorproblemsof
marine debris, being the most prevalent (and among the most persistent) type of
debris and the most harmful for wildlife. Prevention of such waste is therefore, a
key factor to aid in the reduction of plastic waste entering the marine environment.
The use of plastics and synthetics should, therefore, be avoided wherever possible,
and supported by highly eficient separation, collection and re-use/recycling
schemes.
• Developandimplementapublicoutreachprogramusingpublicservice
announcements, publications and special events.
• Developanddistributemediamaterialsdirectedatdomesticandforeignmaritime
communities.
