severe impacts on wildlife. In addition to intentionally manufactured microplastics, microplastics are created as larger items of plastic break down in the environment. Other microplastics have been deliberately designed for use in products, such as facial scrubs, and cannot be caught in sewage treatment works before they are discharged into the sea.23 Plastic waste found in the marine environment can potentially leach chemicals into the environment as well as attract and communicate hazardous chemicals from the ocean to wildlife. For example, plastic waste in the Pacific Gyre has become contaminated with persistent bioaccumulative toxic pollutants (PBTs) including polychlorinated biphenols.19 PBTs are chemicals which degrade slowly in the environment and as a consequence accumulate in the tissues of organisms. Due to its chemical characteristics, plastic absorbs PBTs present in the ocean.24,25 Marine life then receives a concentrated exposure to PBTs, when the marine plastic is consumed, building up the food chain to potentially reach humans. Plastic waste in the ocean has a direct economic impact. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) estimates that the cost to the tourism, fishing and shipping industries was $1.3bn in that region alone. For example, vessel damage can be caused by plastic waste becoming snarled up in a ship’s propellers.26 In Scotland, the approximate economic cost of marine litter is £17m per annum, or $28m per annum.27 Local authorities have to bear the cost of cleaning up plastic litter from beaches. In the UK, the annual costs are put at $24m.28 In the US, communities on the west coast spend more than $520m per year to curtail litter.29 Another study found that closing a Lake Michigan beach could cost as much as $ 37,030 per day.30
the business case for managing plastic In spite of the impacts described in the previous section, compared to climate change, awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic is low among most companies. Yet the case for addressing emerging risks and seizing opportunities is strong and growing. Many of the challenges of plastic could be addressed by improving management of the material across its lifecycle. This does not mean companies should stop using plastic. But there is a case to use less plastic through improving efficiency. There is also a case for making much better use of waste plastic through reuse and recycling. Major risks and opportunities can be grouped in five categories: operational costs, innovation in products and processes, regulation and litigation, reputational, and investor interest. These risks and opportunities are dynamic and may vary depending on the region, industry sector and over time. As science on the impact of plastic develops further, these risks may acquire a higher profile among external stakeholders. Where there are risks, there are opportunities which businesses can turn to their advantage. Measurement and disclosure underpin any effective management strategy to mitigate risks and realise opportunities associated with environmental impacts. Measurement is vital so that companies have accurate information on the performance of their business. And disclosure builds trust with stakeholders within the business, supply-chain, government, financial markets and conservation. Plastic is no exception. Just as for carbon, greenhouse gases, water and forestry, businesses can improve their own sustainability by measuring, managing and disclosing their “plastic footprint”.
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