Quantity of plastic waste input into the ocean from China based on a material flow analysis model

Marine plastic waste has been an important global environmental issue in recent years, and quantifying the amount of global marine plastic waste input is vital for control and mitigation. However, determining an accurate quantity of oceanic plastics is challenging because comprehensive monitoring data are difficult to obtain on national and global scales. To understand the contribution of China in global marine plastic waste input, we used a material flow analysis (MFA) method, which is included in lifecycle assessment and combines statistical data from China’s official statistics, reports, and NPO (nonprofit organization) to establish an MFA model. The model assesses the lifecycle of plastics, which starts with primary plastic, passes the stage of plastic product, and eventually becomes plastic waste. With the MFA model, the annual amount of plastic waste entering the ocean from China from 2011 to 2020 can be calculated. In 2011, 0.65 million tonnes of plastic waste entered the ocean from China, and the quantity rose slowly until 2016. A rapid decline appeared in 2018 because of China’s governmental managements and the quantity will continue to decrease until 2020. Our results indicate the amount of oceanic plastics has a strong correlation with government control measures.

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Analyzing Polyvinyl Chloride in Japan With the Waste InputâOutput Material Flow Analysis Model

Journal of Industrial Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1530-9290.2009.00153.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 706-717 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Shinichiro Nakamura ◽

Kenichi Nakajima ◽

Yoshie Yoshizawa ◽

Kazuyo Matsubae-Yokoyama ◽

Tetsuya Nagasaka

Keyword(s):

Polyvinyl Chloride ◽

Material Flow ◽

Flow Analysis ◽

Material Flow Analysis ◽

Analysis Model

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E-waste flow among selected institutions of higher learning using material flow analysis model

Resources Conservation and Recycling ◽

10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.09.018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 105 ◽

pp. 177-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

P. Agamuthu ◽

Pearson Kasapo ◽

Nurul Ain Mohd Nordin

Keyword(s):

Material Flow ◽

Flow Analysis ◽

Material Flow Analysis ◽

Higher Learning ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽

Waste Flow

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The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.

10.14324/111.444/000031.v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ayse Lisa Allison ◽

Esther Ambrose-Dempster ◽

Teresa Domenech Aparsi ◽

Maria Bawn ◽

Miguel Casas Arredondo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Material Flow ◽

Flow Analysis ◽

Material Flow Analysis ◽

Plastic Waste ◽

Cost Comparison ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Behavioural Research ◽

Single Use ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government has mandated the use of face masks in various public settings and recommends the use of reusable masks to combat shortages of medically graded single-use masks in healthcare. To assist decision-making on the choice of masks for future pandemics, where shortages may not be a contributing factor, the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has carried out a multidisciplinary comparison between single-use and reusable masks based on their anatomy, standalone effectiveness, behavioural considerations, environmental impacts and costs. Although current single-use masks have a higher standalone effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, studies show that reusable masks have adequate performance in slowing infection rates of respiratory viruses. Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and cost comparison show that reusable masks have a lower environmental and economic impact than single-use masks. If every person in the UK uses one single-use mask each day for a year, it will create a total of 124,000 tonnes of waste, 66,000 tonnes of which would be unrecyclable contaminated plastic waste (the masks), with the rest being the recyclable packaging typically used for transportation and distribution of masks.Using reusable masks creates >85% less waste, generates 3.5 times lower impact on climate change and incurs 3.7 times lower costs. Further behavioural research is necessary to understand the extent and current practices of mask use; and how these practices affect mask effectiveness in reducing infection rates. Wearing single-use masks may be preferred over reusable masks due to perceptions of increased hygiene and convenience. Understanding behaviour towards the regular machine-washing of reusable masks for their effective reuse is key to maximise their public health benefits and minimise environmental and economic costs.

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