Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter

Patrick ten Brink, Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, Emma Watkins, Charlotte Janssens, Michiel De Smet, Heather Leslie and François Galgani

No 2018-3, Economics Discussion Papers from Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel)

Abstract: We live in the plastic age (the "plasticene"), producing over 300 million tonnes (mt) of plastic every year globally, 5-15 mt of which flow into already polluted oceans. Plastic remains a key material in the global economy, but low rates of collection, reuse and recycling, emissions of microplastic from product wear and tear, and often insufficient disposal measures are leading to far-reaching environmental, health, social and economic impacts. The costs of inaction are unacceptably high. Globally there is a growing recognition of the need to address marine litter and rethink our approach to plastics and plastic packaging within the economy. Measures that enable a transition to a circular economy can avoid waste and reduce marine litter, and contribute to keeping plastics and their value in the economy.

Keywords: G20; circular economy; plastics; marine pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E23 F53 L65 Q01 Q20 Q52 Q53 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:ifwedp:20183

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