Marine Plastic Debris Managed Sustainably Using a Circular Economy Approach on the Southwest Coast of India

Marine plastic pollution presents a significant environmental challenge, necessitating community-driven mitigation strategies. This study quantified and characterized plastic debris collected by fishers under the ‘Suchitwa Sagaram’ (Clean Sea) Mission at Sakthikulangara Harbour, Kerala, India, to quantify the plastic debris types and create recycling initiatives. Weekly, 50–60 bags (20–30 kg each) of marine debris were collected by fishers using eco-friendly bags. One bag per week was randomly sampled, and researchers manually categorized plastics by Resin Identification Code (RIC). One-way ANOVA was used to examine temporal changes in the abundance of various plastic polymers, revealing significant differences for certain types across sampling periods. EPA processing unit, managed by local community members, facilitated the sorting, washing, shredding, and further processing of the debris. LDPE (29%) and HDPE (28%) were the most retrieved plastics, with synthetic fishing gear and packaging waste contributing 9% and 38%, respectively. Of the total collected plastics, 62% were deemed recyclable and suitable as raw materials for recycled plastic industries and manufacturers, while 38% were non-recyclable due to degradation. Common items included grocery bags, food packaging, and branded product packaging based on functional usage. Despite the degradation, multi-layered plastics persisted in marine environments. The Suchitwa Sagaram initiative demonstrated the viability of a community-driven circular economy model in plastic waste management. This study highlights the viability of a community-driven circular economy model for marine plastic waste management. Findings align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 14.1, emphasizing the importance of integrating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, scaling up community-led waste management efforts. The study also provides a scalable framework for integrating fisheries into sustainable plastic waste management and circular economies, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to mitigate marine plastic pollution.