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Reducing Plastic Pollution by Recovery and Recycling: Evidence from a “Blue Economy” Project Impacting Policy-Making in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Vassallo

    (Fondazione Angelo Vassallo Sindaco Pescatore, 00133 Roma, Italy)

  • Andrea Appolloni

    (Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Chiara Fantauzzi

    (Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Rocco Frondizi

    (Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

This paper recognizes the relevance of the Seabed Cleaning Project, created by the Angelo Vassallo Sindaco Pescatore Foundation in 2010, and presents it as a tool to achieve benefits in environmental, social, and economic terms, in line with the innovative framework of the Blue Economy. The project suggests a practical, feasible, and scalable solution to plastic pollution that can be obtained thanks to the activity performed by fishermen in cooperation with the municipality and local community (in a multi-level cooperation perspective). The data show a significant reduction of plastic on the seafloor thanks to the project, but further research is needed in order to collect further positive outcomes from different applications of the project. In 2022, the “Salva Mare” Law was approved in the Senate, extending the good practices proposed by the Foundation nationwide and showing how small gestures and concrete actions can provide significant improvements in pursuit of a healthier, safer, greener, and smarter city for the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Vassallo & Andrea Appolloni & Chiara Fantauzzi & Rocco Frondizi, 2023. "Reducing Plastic Pollution by Recovery and Recycling: Evidence from a “Blue Economy” Project Impacting Policy-Making in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:8:p:5604-:d:1128927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melanie Bergmann & Mine B. Tekman & Lars Gutow, 2017. "Sea change for plastic pollution," Nature, Nature, vol. 544(7650), pages 297-297, April.
    2. Juana Camacho-Otero & Casper Boks & Ida Nilstad Pettersen, 2018. "Consumption in the Circular Economy: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Voyer, Dr Michelle & van Leeuwen, Dr Judith, 2019. "‘Social license to operate’ in the Blue Economy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 102-113.
    4. Surís-Regueiro, Juan C. & Garza-Gil, M. Dolores & Varela-Lafuente, Manuel M., 2013. "Marine economy: A proposal for its definition in the European Union," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 111-124.
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