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Global plastic pollution, sustainable development, and plastic justice

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  • Stoett, Peter
  • Scrich, Vitória M.
  • Elliff, Carla I.
  • Andrade, Mariana M.
  • de M. Grilli, Natalia
  • Turra, Alexander

Abstract

This review article examines the current state of plastic waste and pollution, in particular in the form of marine litter, as it affects the goal of sustainable development and is affected by global North-South dynamics. The rise in plastic waste has had a deleterious effect on local populations and ecosystems, and remains a problem with numerous governance challenges, posing constraints to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This crisis is analyzed under the lens of global North-South dynamics, as the consequences for different nations differ in regard to their capacity to cope with waste, and other inequality issues. China’s decision to stop serving as the world’s central recycling location has pushed plastic waste exports into other Asian countries, and COVID-19 responses have utilized large quantities of plastic products. However, localized initiatives that involve non-governmental actors are making some headway in countries such as Brazil. This review article introduces the problem, examines extant literature linking plastic pollution with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, offers a brief Brazilian case study of a coordinated response, outlines key research gaps and needs, and articulates the concept of plastic justice as a progressive normative design and framework for further analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Stoett, Peter & Scrich, Vitória M. & Elliff, Carla I. & Andrade, Mariana M. & de M. Grilli, Natalia & Turra, Alexander, 2024. "Global plastic pollution, sustainable development, and plastic justice," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:184:y:2024:i:c:s0305750x24002262
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leach, Melissa & MacGregor, Hayley & Scoones, Ian & Wilkinson, Annie, 2021. "Post-pandemic transformations: How and why COVID-19 requires us to rethink development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    2. Zamboni, Nadia Selene & Noleto Filho, Eurico Mesquita & Carvalho, Adriana Rosa, 2021. "Unfolding differences in the distribution of coastal marine ecosystem services values among developed and developing countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    3. Laurent Lebreton & Anthony Andrady, 2019. "Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Laurent C. M. Lebreton & Joost van der Zwet & Jan-Willem Damsteeg & Boyan Slat & Anthony Andrady & Julia Reisser, 2017. "River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, August.
    5. Jen Baggs, 2009. "International Trade in Hazardous Waste," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 1-16, February.
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    1. Anni Zhang, 2025. "Analysis of the Sustainable Development Pathway of Urban–Rural Integration from the Perspective of Spatial Planning: A Case Study of the Urban–Rural Fringe of Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, February.

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