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Page Last modified 12 Aug 2025
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This page was archived on 12 Aug 2025 with reason: Other (Moved to https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/from-source-to-sea-the-untold-story-of-marine-litter)

 From source to sea — the untold story of marine litter

  1. Human needs — the drivers of marine litter
  2. Mismanaged waste — a key source
  3. From rivers to the sea — the major pathway and status
  4. Outlook and recommendations
  5. Interactive maps 

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Outlook and recommendations The EEA has produced a detailed status check in this report on marine litter in Europe. The main take-home message is that the EU is ‘not on track’ to achieve its waste prevention, reduction and management goals. The results of the report, captured in these web pages, give policymakers and interested stakeholders the material to make informed decisions about short- and long-term actions needed to address the growing problem of marine litter.
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From rivers to the sea — the pathways and the outcome Follow the river. In essence, that is what we need to do to help trace the pathways and tackle the origins of marine litter. Rivers are the main pathways carrying litter to the sea. Yet riverine emissions of plastics and other litter to the ocean are poorly researched and understood compared with their outcome — pollution already in the marine environment. This calls for a coordinated research response, leading to precise policies and actions.
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Mismanaged waste — a key source The majority of marine litter is mismanaged plastic waste in the form of plastic packaging and small non-packaging plastic items (PPSI). Thanks to tougher, smarter laws and regulations that tackle pollution, significant improvements in plastic waste management are evident. Yet it is not sufficient to offset the increase in plastic waste generated by the EEA member countries. The goal is absolute decoupling of waste generation from gross domestic product (GDP) so that economic growth does not mean more waste — and therefore more marine litter.
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Human needs — the drivers of marine litter Human needs for food, hygiene and well-being, and related economic activities, lead to plastic production and the generation of mismanaged waste or discarded items that become marine litter. One of the challenges is adequately meeting fundamental human needs while minimising environmental degradation and pollution that occurs as a consequence. Here, we look at the main problems and drivers of marine litter.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-marine-litter-assessment/interactive-maps or scan the QR code.

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