A new study explores waste management systems and reveals that achieving zero waste leakage by 2030 is unlikely, potentially jeopardizing related Sustainable Development Goals. The authors emphasize the need for global cooperation, particularly across four regions, to responsibly manage waste disposal.
Waste leakage to aquatic ecosystems is a major concern threatening biodiversity as well as human health. Inadequate disposal of waste, particularly plastic waste, has been documented in all the major ocean basins, beaches, rivers, lakes, and even in remote environments such as the Arctic and Antarctic. Previous studies have focused on estimating specifically plastic emissions into the oceans.
"Our study shows that the majority of leakage of municipal solid waste -- everyday items that are discarded by people -- into aquatic environments occur in Africa, China, India, and South Asia. It's necessary to start focusing on improving waste management systems in these affected areas," explains study lead author Adriana Gomez Sanabria, a researcher in the Pollution Management Research Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program.
"Our analysis shows that there is a pressing need to establish a standardized framework to monitor waste generation, composition, and flows. This framework should help us track the effectiveness of actions, including political, economic, and technological measures aimed at reducing waste and improving waste management systems," notes Florian Lindl, a study coauthor and researcher in the IIASA Pollution Management Research Group.
"We need to understand that the primary function of waste management systems is to protect human health and the environment. As creators of the waste crisis, we must take responsibility by changing our behavior to reduce consumption through refuse, rethink, and reuse practices," concludes Gomez Sanabria.Almost 80% of plastic in the waste stream ends up in landfills or accumulates in the environment.
Environmental Science Recycling And Waste Water Energy Issues Environmental Policies Land Management Ocean Policy
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