Social-economic aspects of marine plastics debris and management
Abalansa, S.; El Mahrad, B.; Vondolia, G.K.; Icely, J.; Newton, A. (2025). Social-economic aspects of marine plastics debris and management, in: Shumway, S.E. et al. Plastics in the sea: occurrence and impacts. pp. 523-569. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822324-6.00006-2
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| Author keywords |
Externalities; Microplastics; Plastics; Ecosystem services |
| Authors | | Top |
- Abalansa, S.
- El Mahrad, B.
- Vondolia, G.K.
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| Abstract |
The production and consumption of plastics and plastic products have effects, such as externalities, on the environment and the economy. These effects can either be beneficial or cause unknown harm to society depending upon how the plastics are used and discarded. The precautionary principle should therefore become part of the foundations in managing the issue of marine plastic litter pollution. An in-depth analysis of the literature extant was carried out to obtain and analyze 200 articles on the social and economic aspects of marine plastic litter. Employment creation and the use of plastics in critical areas, such as health, are some of the benefits of the production and consumption of plastics. Plastic production and consumption interfere with provisioning, cultural, regulatory, and supporting ecosystem services. This has a negative, trickle-down effect on human welfare and the economy. There have also been regional and global shifts in interest with respect to marine plastic litter pollution, especially in Australia and Canada. Critical issues such as health, unemployment, and poverty may contribute to the lack of interest about marine plastic litter pollution in developing countries. Market and non-market economic instruments are important tools that can be harnessed and applied to help resolve the marine litter issue. A “blueprint” is presented to address marine plastics pollution that may enable national governments to better control and manage this issue. |
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