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Waste & Recycling February 08, 2016 12:30:55 AM

New report explores means to curb leakage of plastic waste into oceans

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
The new report published by ‘The McKinsey Center for Business and Environment’ in partnership with ‘The Ocean Conservancy’ looks into the origins of the world’s plastic marine debris and the various means by which they leak into the oceans.

New report explores means to curb leakage of plastic waste into oceans

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The new report published by ‘The McKinsey Center for Business and Environment’ in partnership with ‘The Ocean Conservancy’ looks into the origins of the world’s plastic marine debris and the various means by which they leak into the oceans. The report titled “Stemming the Tide: Land-based Strategies for a Plastic Free Ocean” also highlights several recommendations to curb the volume of plastic litter entering our oceans.

According to the report, only 20% of leakage originates from ocean-based sources like fisheries and fishing vessels. This implies that over 80% of the ocean plastic comes from land-based sources. Also, over 50% of the land-based plastic waste leakage originates in five countries-China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Out of the total leakage that comes from land-based sources, 75% originates from uncollected waste, while the rest 25% leaks from within the waste management system itself.

The report suggests several solutions to curb the leakage of plastic waste into the oceans. The waste transport systems must be optimized to close leakage points within the collection system. In addition, necessary steps must be initiated to improve conditions of dumpsites located near waterways. The collection service, especially in the above mentioned five countries, must be expanded in order to increase waste collection rates.

As per report recommendations, areas with high waste density must ensure enhanced use of innovative waste-to-fuel and waste-to-energy technologies to treat waste. On the other hand, specific areas with low waste density must devise ways to manually sort high-value plastic waste and convert much of the remainder to refuse-derived fuel.

A paper published in early 2015 estimates that approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic leaks out into the ocean every year. An early and meaningful intervention is required to prevent oceans from getting flooded with plastic waste.

 

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