Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Postpermanentinformationsignsaboutwhymarineplasticdebrisandother
litter are harmful to water quality, wildlife and ish.
• Allusersofmarinewaterstoreceivemarineplasticdebrisinformationmaterials.
• Encourageretailandmanufacturercooperationtoaidinmarineplasticdebris
public education.
• Incorporateananalysisofthetruecostsofmarinedebris,includingiscalimpacts
and non-quantiiable environmental costs into policy decisions.
• Conductanindependentcostbeneitanalysisofmarineplasticdisposalcompliance
and clean-up and integrate it with comprehensive solid waste planning.
• Increasepublicawarenessaboutthelegalconsequencesforimproperdisposalof
plastics in the marine environment.
• Developaframeworkofinancialincentivestoencourageproperdisposalof
plastics in the sea.
5.6.2 The 3R Concept and Waste Prevention
The concept of '3R' refers to reduce, reuse and recycle, particularly in the context of
changing consumption and production patterns. It calls for an increase in the ratio of
recyclable materials, further reusing of raw materials and manufacturing wastes, and
overall reduction in resources and energy used. These ideas are applied to the entire
lifecycles of products and services - from design and extraction of raw materials to
transport, manufacture, use, dismantling/reuse and disposal. A fourth 'R' (repair)
was introduced recently (COP7 − Basel Convention, ministerial discussions on Global
Waste Challenge) to integrate promotion of repair services, which in principle helps
to expand product life spans of durable products, and thereby further contributes to
waste prevention [69].
Achieving success in 3R initiatives worldwide will depend on progress made with
more general policies and frameworks on sustainable consumption and production
[69] including elements such as:
• Sustainableinvestmentandpricingpoliciesandpractices,suchasgreener
procurement, subsidies and eco-taxes.
• Productionanddistributionpoliciesandpractices,suchasintegratedproduct
policy, life cycle analysis and life cycle management, extended producer
responsibility, precautionary principle, polluter pays principle, eco-eficiency/
