Recycling of Marine Plastic Debris

Although marine debris has been accumulating for many decades, only during the last three the accumulation of millions of waste tons at seas and oceans has generated interest and concern of scientists and governments. While marine debris may present different origins and nature, polymers lead in abu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Peña Rodríguez, Cristina, Mondragón Otamendi, Gurutz, Mendoza Larrañaga, Amaia, Mendiburu Valor, Eider, Eceiza Mendiguren, María Aranzazu, Kortaberria Altzerreka, Galder
Tipo de recurso: capítulo de libro
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/75756
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/75756
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:debris
plastic waste
recycling
ocean
Descripción
Sumario:Although marine debris has been accumulating for many decades, only during the last three the accumulation of millions of waste tons at seas and oceans has generated interest and concern of scientists and governments. While marine debris may present different origins and nature, polymers lead in abundance. Annually, 1.15–2.41 million-ton of plastic arrive to the ocean from rivers. Wastes are distribute at different marine compartments according to their density, with a huge impact in both marine fauna and water pollution. It becomes necessary, consequently, besides avoiding further waste dumping, to collect and manage the waste, not only marine one, but also the land waste. Both terrestrial and marine plastic waste can constitute resources or raw materials for different applications such as fuel, energy and of materials production. Research on suitable management and recycling/valorization are required to move towards a circular economy for generating more sustainable societies. In the present chapter, the main studies carried out about the recyclability of the main polymers present in marine waste are presented and analyzed, together with the main limitations and opportunities related with this recycling process.