Ocean Trash-Evaluation of Global Policy and Solutions

The ocean currently serves as the end of the pipeline from rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways for products that are not recycled, re-purposed, or properly disposed. The resulting ocean trash inflicts harmful costs on wildlife as well as coastal communities and their economies.


80 percent of plastic debris in the ocean can be traced back to land-based sources. In particular, most plastic matter can survive for many years in the ocean because it is insoluble and resistant to biodegradation. It is a massive and growing environmental problem globally. While plastic carrier bags do not make up the majority of plastic debris in the ocean, they are considered a high-visibility litter problem, which, if addressed properly, can potentially serve as a vehicle for more general environmental awareness.


In this context, the Ocean Conservancy has requested a study of public policy on plastic carrier bags. Two types of policy approaches are considered:

• Plastic bag levies and bans, which place the cost burden onto consumers.
• Extended Producer Responsibility set of policies, which place the cost burden onto producers.