Biodegradable Plastics & Marine Litter : Misconceptions, Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments / UNEP.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United Nations Environment Programme.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environment and Climate Change.

Public Health.

Local Subjects:

Environment and Climate Change.

Public Health.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (36 pages)

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] : United Nations, 2016.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

This report concludes that "the adoption of plastic products labelled as 'biodegradable' will not bring about a significant decrease either in the quantity of plastic entering the ocean or the risk of physical and chemical impacts on the marine environment". Indeed, biodegradable polymers degrade significantly slower in the marine environment than on land. Therefore, a widespread use is said to lead to continuing littering problems and its negative impacts. Furthermore, oxo-degradable polymers would only increase the quantity of microplastics in the environment and claims stating otherwise are likely motivated by commercial interests rather than scientific evidence.

Contents:

Abbreviations listExecutive summaryBackgroundPolymers and plastics - terminology and definitionsFragmentation, degradation and biodegradationT he behaviour of biodegradable plastics in the marine environmentPublic perceptions, attitudes and behavioursConclusionsReferences

ISBN:

9789210601610

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.