All social and economic drivers influence levels of marine litter in the marine environment
All social and economic drivers have the potential to influence levels of marine litter in the marine environment. Societal needs for food, health and welfare, and stable economies drive demands for, inter alia, materials, industrial processes and trade and movement of goods. Activities associated with the manufacturing, production, packaging, processing, and transportation of fish and the agricultural, industrial, domestic or other commodities required to meet society’s needs all have the potential to produce litter. There is a link between plastics production and climate change; Society’s need to adapt to the effects of climate change; Society’s need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. The presence (and associated impacts) of marine litter is driving society to call for action to change producer and consumer habits, reduce inputs and facilitate its removal. Policy responses to the management of marine litter need to consider all these driving forces so as to reduce inputs, reduce the risks associated with materials (e.g., alternatives to plastic) and facilitate societal change.