Resumé
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
---|---|
Tidsskrift | Environmental Pollution |
Vol/bind | 224 |
Sider (fra-til) | 289-299 |
Antal sider | 11 |
ISSN | 0269-7491 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2017 |
Emneord
- Marine litter
- Microplastics
- Plastic bags
- Regulation
Citer dette
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From macro- to microplastics : Analysis of EU regulation along the life cycle of plastic bags. / Steensgaard, Ida; Syberg, Kristian; Rist, Sinja; Hartmann, Nanna; Boldrin, Alessio; Hansen, Steffen Foss.
I: Environmental Pollution, Bind 224, 2017, s. 289-299.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review
TY - JOUR
T1 - From macro- to microplastics
T2 - Analysis of EU regulation along the life cycle of plastic bags
AU - Steensgaard, Ida
AU - Syberg, Kristian
AU - Rist, Sinja
AU - Hartmann, Nanna
AU - Boldrin, Alessio
AU - Hansen, Steffen Foss
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Plastic pollution and its environmental effects has received global attention the recent years. However, limited attention has so far been directed towards how plastics are regulated in a life cycle perspective and how regulatory gaps can be addressed in order to limit and prevent environmental exposure and hazards of macro- and microplastics. In this paper, we map European regulation taking outset in the life cycle perspective of plastic carrier bags: from plastic bag production to when it enters the environment. Relevant regulatory frameworks, directives and authorities along the life cycle are identified and their role in regulation of plastics is discussed. Most important regulations were identified as: the EU chemical Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive including the amending Directive regarding regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags, the Waste Framework Directive and the Directive on the Landfill of Waste. The main gaps identified relate to lack of clear definitions of categories of polymers, unambitious recycling rates and lack of consideration of macro- and microplastics in key pieces of legislation. We recommend that polymers are categorized according to whether they are polymers with the same monomer constituents (homopolymers) or with different monomer constituents (copolymers) and that polymers are no longer exempt from registration and evaluation under REACH. Plastics should furthermore have the same high level of monitoring and reporting requirements as hazardous waste involving stricter requirements to labelling, recordkeeping, monitoring and control over the whole lifecycle. Finally, we recommend that more ambitious recycle and recovery targets are set across the EU. Regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags should also apply to heavyweight plastic carrier bags. Last, the Marine and Water Framework Directives should specifically address plastic waste affecting water quality.
AB - Plastic pollution and its environmental effects has received global attention the recent years. However, limited attention has so far been directed towards how plastics are regulated in a life cycle perspective and how regulatory gaps can be addressed in order to limit and prevent environmental exposure and hazards of macro- and microplastics. In this paper, we map European regulation taking outset in the life cycle perspective of plastic carrier bags: from plastic bag production to when it enters the environment. Relevant regulatory frameworks, directives and authorities along the life cycle are identified and their role in regulation of plastics is discussed. Most important regulations were identified as: the EU chemical Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive including the amending Directive regarding regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags, the Waste Framework Directive and the Directive on the Landfill of Waste. The main gaps identified relate to lack of clear definitions of categories of polymers, unambitious recycling rates and lack of consideration of macro- and microplastics in key pieces of legislation. We recommend that polymers are categorized according to whether they are polymers with the same monomer constituents (homopolymers) or with different monomer constituents (copolymers) and that polymers are no longer exempt from registration and evaluation under REACH. Plastics should furthermore have the same high level of monitoring and reporting requirements as hazardous waste involving stricter requirements to labelling, recordkeeping, monitoring and control over the whole lifecycle. Finally, we recommend that more ambitious recycle and recovery targets are set across the EU. Regulation of the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags should also apply to heavyweight plastic carrier bags. Last, the Marine and Water Framework Directives should specifically address plastic waste affecting water quality.
KW - Marine litter
KW - Microplastics
KW - Plastic bags
KW - Regulation
KW - Marine litter
KW - Microplastics
KW - Plastic bags
KW - Regulation
U2 - 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.007
DO - 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.007
M3 - Journal article
VL - 224
SP - 289
EP - 299
JO - Environmental Pollution
JF - Environmental Pollution
SN - 0269-7491
ER -