Plastic industry plan to sue the Canadian federal government for listing plastic as toxic may increase plastic marine pollution

The collateral effects of COVID-19 on marine pollution

The COVID-19 pandemic has gained significant attention to the intersection of public health crises and environmental challenges, particularly in the context of marine pollution. This paper examines the various impacts of the pandemic on marine environments, focusing on the pollution attributed to single-use plastics (SUPs) and personal protective equipment (PPE). Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of literature and case studies, the paper highlights the detrimental effects of increased plastic waste on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Statistical data and graphical representations reveal the scale of plastic pollution during the pandemic, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation strategies. The study evaluates innovative monitoring techniques and future recommendations, emphasizing stakeholder collaboration in sustainable waste management. By broadening geographic examples and comparative analyses, it provides a global perspective on the pandemic's impact, highlighting the importance of international cooperation for safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Enhanced adsorption of diclofenac onto activated carbon derived from PET plastic by one-step pyrolysis with KOH

Plastic pollution is a severe threat to the health of ecosystems, and recycling plastics is recognized as a key control strategy. This study used the one-step pyrolysis assisted with KOH activation to recycle the widely used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic as activated carbon (PET-AC) which was subsequently applied to adsorb diclofenac (DCF), a frequently detected emerging contaminant in water, for the first time. It was found that both the pyrolysis temperature and the addition of KOH can effectively regulate the pore sizes and volumes of PET-AC. PET-AC obtained at 700 °C demonstrated a high adsorption capacity of DCF up to 179.42 mg g-1 at 45 °C. The adsorption kinetics was conducted with both static jar and dynamic column tests and analyzed with various models. Thermodynamic results demonstrated that the adsorption of DCF was spontaneous and endothermic. The material also presented an excellent potential to adsorb other pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water. XPS and FTIR analysis indicated that the adsorption might be mainly driven by the physical forces, especially π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding. This study provided a reference for recycling waste plastic as an efficient adsorbent to eliminate organic contaminants from water.

What potential does the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive have for reducing plastic pollution at coastlines and riversides? An evaluation based on citizen science data

To address environmental pollution by plastic litter, the European Union adopted EU Directive 2019/904, the so called "Single-Use Plastics Directive" (SUPD), which bans several single-use plastic products and addresses additional items with measures such as extended producer responsibility and obligatory requirements for product redesign. This study assessed the potential of the SUPD to reduce litter pollution in the environment with three scenarios. The "best case" scenario assumed that all measures of the SUPD completely prevent targeted items from getting into the environment. Another scenario assumed that no measures besides bans were effective. An intermediate scenario assumed partial effectiveness of measures. Data of almost 5,000 sampling events from citizen science protocols (Plastic Pirates, International Coastal Cleanup, Marine Litter Watch) and the OSPAR protocol were used to analyse litter at riversides and coastlines in Germany and the European Union. 44 to 68% of litter items in citizen science protocols consisted of single-use plastics (cigarette butts were the most prominent items). At coastlines sampled by the OSPAR protocol, fishing gear and undefined plastics prevailed. The scenario analysis revealed that substantial litter reductions could be achieved in the "best case" scenario (upwards of 40%), while the intermediate scenario resulted in litter reductions of 13 to 25%. The marginal effect of the "only bans" scenario achieved a reduction of 2-6% in Germany and the European Union, respectively. Thus, depending on implementation and enforcement, the current SUPD can be an important first step, yet further legislative actions are needed to effectively prevent plastic waste pollution.

The Role of CSR in Promoting Energy-Specific Pro-Environmental Behavior among Hotel Employees

Mitigating environmental crises requires efforts to reduce carbon emission at every level and segment of an economy. In this respect, the energy sector is blamed for increasing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) throughout the globe. Specifically, it was specified that electrical energy contributes to 35% of the world’s GHG emissions. Without a doubt, the topics related to clean and green energies remained a part of academic discussion; however, a critical knowledge gap exists in most studies. That is, most of the prior literature focused only on the production side (supply side) of electrical energy, neglecting the consumption side (consumption at the level of individuals). Given that a significant amount of electricity has been consumed by the individuals in buildings (homes, offices, or others) for heating and cooling purposes, it is important to promote a target-specific (energy-specific) pro-environmental behavior (TSPEB) of individuals. However, such a debate did not receive any significant attention previously. Further, psychological factors such as employees’ environmental commitment (EEC) and green self-efficacy (GSE) were identified as critical mediators to drive different employees’ outcomes, but the mediating effect of EEC and GSE was not tested earlier to foster TSPEB in a CSR framework. The data for the current work were collected from employees of different hotels in a developing country by employing a survey strategy (n = 383). The structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, which confirmed that hospitality employees’ CSR perceptions could improve TSPEB. The statistical results also confirmed the significant mediating effects of EEC and GSE. The finding of this study will help the hospitality sector to improve its efforts for de-carbonization by improving the energy consumption behavior of employees as an outcome of CSR.

Evaluating Canada's single-use plastic mitigation policies via brand audit and beach cleanup data to reduce plastic pollution

Single-use plastics (SUPs) represent a major threat to marine environments and require proactive policies to reduce consumption and mismanagement. Many SUP management strategies exist to reduce SUP use and mitigate environmental impacts, including extended producer responsibility (EPR), deposit-return schemes, SUP bans or taxes, and public outreach and education. This study analyzed brand audit and beach cleanup data in four densely populated Canadian cities (Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Halifax) and a remote island (Sable Island) to determine efficacy of ongoing SUP mitigation measures. Cities were found to have similar litter type proportions, and six brands were found to disproportionally contribute to Canadian SUP litter, comprising 39% of branded litter collected. Results confirm that current Canadian SUP management appears to be insufficient to address leakage of SUPs into the environment. Recommendations to strengthen SUP management strategies and mitigate plastic pollution are recommended to improve future Canadian SUP reduction policies.

Opportunities for single-use plastic reduction in the food service sector during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs), particularly in the food service sector, due to concerns for public health and safety. To follow public health guidelines, food services have been limited to takeout service and have restricted use of personal reusable items. This study investigated opportunities to reduce increased use of SUPs in Nova Scotia food services sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with stakeholders from the food service sector. Many participants had already implemented SUP reduction strategies prior to COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to rely on SUPs and to pause SUP reduction strategies. Obstacles to SUP reduction included operational challenges from COVID-19 restrictions, misunderstanding of local waste management systems, costs of transitioning to zero plastic waste, poorly manufactured alternatives, greenwashing, and ingrained societal convenience culture. Whilst not all SUP consumption patterns were attributed to COVID-19, these barriers prevented food retailers, waste managers and consumers from achieving zero-plastic waste goals. Food services should adopt SUP reduction strategies, including re-introducing reusables, implementing exchange programs for bulk items and takeout, providing education and awareness to staff and consumers, and sourcing sustainable SUP alternatives. SUP reduction strategies can be implemented immediately as public health officials and researchers agree reusable items can be used safely when using basic hygiene measures. Food services across Nova Scotia should adapt their operational procedures and create behaviour change to reduce SUPs.

Public Perceptions of Legislative Action to Reduce Plastic Pollution: A Case Study of Atlantic Canada

Government-led legislation is a key strategy to reduce plastic pollution; however, societal perception can heavily influence government intervention for environmental issues. To understand the public acceptability of government action to reduce plastic pollution, we examine the perception of existing and upcoming legislative action on single-use plastics (SUPs) by means of a structured survey with additional semi-structured interviews. Our focus is on the four Atlantic provinces of Canada, which was the first region in Canada to implement provincial-wide legislation for plastic reduction at the consumer level in 2019. Results show strong public support (77%, n = 838) for bans of SUP bags at the consumer level, and for further plastic pollution reduction legislation. However, the level of support differed between regions and by demographics. Semi-structured interviews show that decision makers should increase efforts in raising consumer awareness and standardizing regulations across jurisdictions for smoother transitions prior to legislative action.

Environmental and Economic Impacts of Mismanaged Plastics and Measures for Mitigation

The mismanagement of plastic materials has grown to become a mounting global pollution concern that is closely implicated in unsustainable production and consumption paradigms. The ecological, social, and economic impacts of plastic waste mismanagement are currently transboundary in nature and have necessitated numerous methods of government intervention in order to address and mitigate the globalized and multifaceted dilemmas posed by high rates and volumes of plastic waste generation. This review examines the current landscape of a plastics economy which has operated with a linear momentum, employing large quantities of primary resources and disincentivizing the functioning of a robust recycling market for collecting plastic waste and reintegrating it into the consumer market. This contextualizes an increasing plastic pollution crisis that has required global efforts to address and mitigate the ecological risks and socio-economic challenges of mismanaged plastic waste. A timeline of government interventions regarding plastic pollution is described, including numerous international, regional, and local actions to combat plastic waste, and this is followed by an examination of the relevance of the extended producer responsibility principle to improve plastic waste management and obligate industry to assume responsibility in waste collection and recycling.

Why Turkey should not import plastic waste pollution from developed countries?

Turkey became a major importer of global plastic waste after China banned plastic imports on January 1, 2018. Turkey imported only 261,864 tonnes of plastic waste annually before the ban, but annual imports increased to 772,831 tonnes by 2020. Turkey recently implemented restrictions on importing plastic waste (quotas, %1 contamination limit, banned mixed plastic waste imports), yet illegal dumping and burning is widely reported. Turkey ranks second in Europe and seventh worldwide for plastics production, yet current domestic waste management and recycling programs cannot handle domestic plastic waste generation. Roughly 90% of municipal solid waste produced in Turkey ends up in landfills. Plastic waste mismanagement results in plastic leakage into the Mediterranean Sea with Turkey contributing the highest share (16.8%) of European marine plastic pollution. With this latest import restriction, Turkey now has an opportunity to strengthen and improve its own domestic waste management infrastructure to reduce indiscriminate plastic marine pollution.