Waste leakage into aquatic ecosystems is a major concern that threatens both biodiversity and human health. Inadequate disposal of waste, especially plastic waste, has been documented in all major ocean basins, beaches, rivers, lakes and even in remote areas such as the Arctic and Antarctica. Previous studies have focused on estimating plastic emissions specifically into the oceans. However, no study has comprehensively assessed waste leakage to aquatic environments from a waste management perspective.
IIASA researchers used a waste systems perspective to identify hotspots of land waste leakage and determined which rivers, lakes and coastal areas are particularly at risk. The results indicate that urgent action is needed.
“Our research shows that the majority of leakage of municipal solid waste – everyday items discarded by people – into aquatic environments occurs in Africa, China, India, and South Asia. There is a need to focus on improving waste management systems in these affected areas,” explains lead author Adriana Gomez Sanabria, a researcher in the Pollution Management Research Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program.
The study highlights that focusing on single waste streams can lead to unintended consequences. For example, as single-use plastic cups are replaced by paper cups, the amount of paper waste has increased. Therefore, it is crucial to set targets that address multiple waste streams simultaneously. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of universal waste collection as the main strategy to prevent waste leakage to land and water environments, even in a scenario where total waste generation is reduced.
“Our analysis shows that there is an urgent need to establish a standardized framework to monitor the production, composition and flows of waste. This framework should help us monitor the effectiveness of actions, including political, economic and technological measures aimed at reducing waste and improving waste management systems,” notes Florian Lindl, co-author and researcher of the study at the IIASA Pollution Management Research Group.
The research team notes that their study addresses a crucial gap in our understanding of how waste management systems play an important role in addressing various environmental impacts. By examining the interaction between waste management and waste leakage, effective strategies can be identified to reduce pollution in aquatic environments and conserve ecosystems. This knowledge is vital for shaping policies and promoting sustainable development practices that minimize the environmental footprint of our consumption habits.
“We must understand that the primary function of waste management systems is to protect human health and the environment. As perpetrators of the waste crisis, we must take responsibility by changing our behavior to reduce consumption through waste, rethinking and reusing,” concludes Gomez Sanabria.
