<
https://phys.org/news/2023-11-scientists-caution-reliance-mechanical-devices.html>
"An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on
mechanical cleanup devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution
crisis.
The researchers—comprising a number of the world's foremost experts in plastic
pollution—say they appreciate the clear and pressing need to tackle the
millions of tons of waste that have already accumulated in the ocean and
waterways.
However, they caution that plastic removal technologies used so far have shown
varied efficiency in the amount of waste material they are able to collect,
many have not been tested at all.
In fact, some have been shown to harm quantities of marine organisms—including
fish, crustaceans and seaweeds—that far exceed the amount of plastic captured,
meaning their overall impact on the ocean is potentially more harmful than
helpful.
Writing in the journal
One Earth, the scientists say with plastic production
projected to triple by 2060 the most cost-effective and efficient way to
prevent further pollution is to reduce plastic production and consumption, and
for essential applications of plastics to design safe, sustainable products
with a readily available and effective pathway for end-of-life disposal.
They also assert that the environmental costs of leaving plastic pollution in
the ocean should be weighed against the full environmental and economic cost of
plastic removal technologies, and call for clear criteria for such judgments to
be incorporated in the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution.
Their commentary has been published as world leaders prepare to resume
discussions on the Treaty at the third meeting of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
