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A Review of Technological Solutions to Prevent or Reduce Marine Plastic Litter in Developing Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Winterstetter

    (Sustainable Materials Management Unit, VITO—Flemish Institute for Technological Research, 2400 Mol, Belgium)

  • Marie Grodent

    (Center for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium)

  • Venkatesh Kini

    (Ubuntoo, The Environmental Solutions Platform, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA)

  • Kim Ragaert

    (Center for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium)

  • Karl C. Vrancken

    (Sustainable Materials Management Unit, VITO—Flemish Institute for Technological Research, 2400 Mol, Belgium
    Department of Bio-engineering, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

Growing global plastic production combined with poor waste collection has led to increasing amounts of plastic debris being found in oceans, rivers and on shores. The goal of this study is to provide an overview on currently available technological solutions to tackle marine plastic litter and to assess their potential use in developing countries. To compile an inventory of technological solutions, a dedicated online platform was developed. A total of 51 out of initially 75 submitted solutions along the plastics value chain were assessed by independent experts. Collection systems represent more than half of the shortlisted solutions. A quarter include processing and treatment technologies, either as a stand-alone solution (30%) or, more commonly, in combination with a first litter capturing step. Ten percent offer digital solutions. The rest focuses on integrated waste management solutions. For each stage in the source-to-sea spectrum—land, rivers, sea—two illustrative examples are described in detail. This study concludes that the most cost-effective type of solution tackles land-based sources of marine litter and combines technology with people-oriented practices, runs on own energy sources, connects throughout the plastics value chain with a convincing valorization plan for captured debris, and involves all relevant stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Winterstetter & Marie Grodent & Venkatesh Kini & Kim Ragaert & Karl C. Vrancken, 2021. "A Review of Technological Solutions to Prevent or Reduce Marine Plastic Litter in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4894-:d:544242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Doris Knoblauch & Linda Mederake & Ulf Stein, 2018. "Developing Countries in the Lead—What Drives the Diffusion of Plastic Bag Policies?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Zvanaka S. Mazhandu & Edison Muzenda & Tirivaviri A. Mamvura & Mohamed Belaid & Trust Nhubu, 2020. "Integrated and Consolidated Review of Plastic Waste Management and Bio-Based Biodegradable Plastics: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-57, October.
    3. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
    4. Jennifer Yee-Shian Chen & Yao-Chang Lee & Bruno A. Walther, 2020. "Microplastic Contamination of Three Commonly Consumed Seafood Species from Taiwan: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
    5. Trisia A. Farrelly & Stephanie B. Borrelle & Sascha Fuller, 2021. "The Strengths and Weaknesses of Pacific Islands Plastic Pollution Policy Frameworks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-36, January.
    6. Samuel Abalansa & Badr El Mahrad & Godwin Kofi Vondolia & John Icely & Alice Newton, 2020. "The Marine Plastic Litter Issue: A Social-Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-27, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Cleveland & Donna Cleveland & Ann Morrison & Khoi Hoang Dinh & An Nguyen Pham Hai & Luca Freitas Ribeiro & Khanh Tran Duy, 2025. "Uncovering Plastic Pollution: A Scoping Review of Urban Waterways, Technologies, and Interdisciplinary Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-28, August.
    2. Mariam I. Adeoba & Thanyani Pandelani & Harry Ngwangwa & Tracy Masebe, 2025. "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Ocean Waste Tracking and Management: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-31, April.
    3. Dick den Hertog & Jean Pauphilet & Yannick Pham & Bruno Sainte-Rose & Baizhi Song, 2025. "Optimizing the Path Towards Plastic-Free Oceans," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 73(3), pages 1165-1183, May.
    4. Swikriti Khadke & Pragya Gupta & Shanmukh Rachakunta & Chandreswar Mahata & Suma Dawn & Mohit Sharma & Deepak Verma & Aniruddha Pradhan & Ambati Mounika Sai Krishna & Seeram Ramakrishna & Sabyasachi C, 2021. "Efficient Plastic Recycling and Remolding Circular Economy Using the Technology of Trust–Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.

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