Environment

Study reports a big reduction in plastic waste on Australian beaches

CSIRO's Dr. Denise Hardesty surveys one of the beaches included in the study
CSIRO
CSIRO's Dr. Denise Hardesty surveys one of the beaches included in the study
CSIRO

Although there's no doubt that marine plastic waste pollution is a major environmental problem, there may be at least a small sliver of hope. According to a new study, plastic trash on Australian beaches has actually decreased by almost a third in recent years.

The study was conducted by a team from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), led by Dr. Kathryn Willis. Based on 563 hands-on coastal inspections, and interviews with waste managers in 32 municipalities, it follows up on a similar study conducted by CSIRO in 2013.

All in all, it was found that over a six-year period since that previous study was conducted, the amount of plastic waste found on Australian beaches decreased by an average of 29 percent. The scientists believe this reduction was due mainly to three factors.

First and foremost, it is thought that a large role was played by programs which make waste reduction more economically feasible. Such programs could include curbside pickup of discarded plastic items for recycling.

Secondly, the researchers believe that increased vigilance against the illegal disposal of trash at sea – and the fining of people or groups that commit such crimes – has been a major factor. And finally, planned activities such as voluntary cleanup initiatives were said to play a large role.

Tellingly, it was found that municipalities which had not updated their waste management strategies, or that removed their budget for coastal waste management, had considerably "dirtier coastlines" than others that were surveyed over the six-year period.

"Whilst plastic pollution is still a global crisis and we still have a long way to go, this research shows that decisions made on the ground, at local management levels, are crucial for the successful reduction of coastal plastic pollution," said Willis.

This latest study is part of CSIRO's larger Ending Plastic Waste Mission, which is aimed at achieving an 80-percent reduction in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030.

Source: CSIRO

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3 comments
PB
It would help if the article would identify the true source of ocean pollution. In Australia the greenies and leftists carry on about plastic bags at supermarkets and land based sources, the true source is ocean vessels dumping waste at sea, including cruise ships, military vessels, and barges dumping waste outside offshore limits.
For example, while it is crazy to do so, it is legal to go beyond the California 25 mile offshore limit and dump waste which can then drift onshore.
Military ships still dump trash in the ocean so should that be stopped but what if there is an attack and the defenders are tripping over onboard trash?
It's a hell of a debate but this report discusses beach waste without contemplating pandemic related lessening of shipping using offshore areas, and weather related wind shifts.
Has any country tracked trash dumping? These articles make assumption but is anyone tracking trash disposal offshore?
















paul04
the majority of plastic waste on our local beach comes down the river (lots of food packaging), then gets washed back to the beach. unlike yr other correspondent I acknowledge that the majority of plastic waste DOESNT come off ships, but is land based. dont think mcdonalds has a ship based outlet. or coke.
ljaques
Once they get a few Interceptors on the outlet of Australian rivers, they might likely see another reduction, but I'm guessing that plastic pollution is coming from north of them. Malaysia, China, and India are some of the worst sources. (see global map on Ocean Cleanup's site)