Marine Litter Solutions From Around the World

“To speed up change, we can be inspired by innovative solutions from other countries in the fight against marine litter pollution”

Around the world, many countries are taking innovative approaches to addressing marine litter pollution. From plastic bans to thorough waste sorting policies, each country has a unique approach. This blog post looks at three countries that are leading the charge for healthier, cleaner oceans.  

Rwanda

Even as a landlocked country in Africa, Rwanda is making strides to prevent litter from making its way into the water systems and eventually the ocean. Citizens had noticed that single-use plastic items (plastic bags in particular) were clogging rivers and drains. This was causing negative impacts on biodiversity and soil health throughout the country. There were even layers of plastic found in soil, which was affecting the country’s agricultural production! In 2008, Rwanda was one of the first countries to implement a plastic bag ban. The government launched campaigns, led training programs for communities, and held clean ups. As a part of this ban, anyone manufacturing, selling, or using plastic bags faced a penalty. There are a few exceptions where plastic bags can be used for meat packaging. This ban encourages citizens to go back to original practices of using reusable materials that were standard until the introduction of plastic. 

Germany

Germany is a leader in waste management and sorting policies, with five different bins to differentiate their waste. They are also a leading recycler of municipal waste, with a 67% recycling rate in 2020! How do they do it? In addition to their mandatory sorting policies, Germany has a highly successful deposit refund scheme, plastic bans, enforced accountability of manufacturers and private industries, and a strong public awareness. In Germany, everyone is responsible for environmentally compatible disposal of waste. 

South Korea

With a coast stretching 13,509 kilometres, South Korea has implemented several measures to tackle marine litter. The government has implemented several strategies to help both clean-up and prevent litter from entering the ocean. This is done through a buyback program where items such as fishing gear and other found marine debris can be brought back to port in return for a small incentive fee. To reduce these materials from entering the ocean in the first place, there have been efforts to use alternatives to plastic such as biodegradable fishing gear. Additionally, litter capture traps in drains are required by national and local agencies to prevent litter from entering the ocean. South Korea is part of a network of states that monitor plastics at points along the coast and share marine litter data to inform action plans. 

These examples not only offer valuable lessons but also inspire global action for cleaner oceans. By fostering best practices and advocating for sustainable policies,  we can tackle the challenges of ocean litter pollution and create healthier oceans for generations to come. 

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