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The Impact of Coastal Pollution in Australia: An Overview

By Stephanie Brodie, Britta Denise Hardesty, CSIRO

A Disturbing Discovery

Imagine the scene: you’re unwinding on a stunning seaside, enjoying the warmth of the golden sun while the soothing sound of crashing waves surrounds you. As you run your hands through the soft, warm sand, you unexpectedly encounter a cigarette butt. Disgusting, right?

One of the many beaches surveyed by CSIRO. © TJ Lawson

Positive Progress in Coastal Waste Management

This unsettling image is all too common in Australia’s coastal areas, but recent research conducted by CSIRO reveals that there is good news: the situation is improving! Over the past decade, the volume of waste found in urban Australian coastal cities has plummeted by almost 40%. Remarkably, our findings show an encouraging increase in locations with no visible litter at all.

From 2022 to 2024, we conducted surveys to assess debris in and around six urban areas in Australia. By comparing our findings with those from surveys performed a decade earlier, we were able to determine that coastal pollution levels have decreased substantially, paving the way for future research based on this latest benchmark.

Strategies for Improvement

Our study highlights the effectiveness of cleanup initiatives across Australia’s beaches. Thanks to various policies, practices, and outreach campaigns aimed at reducing littering, we’ve witnessed a notable decrease in pollution along coastal habitats adjacent to urban centers. However, we must remain vigilant; there is still significant work ahead to maintain and further enhance these environmental gains.

CSIRO staff conducting coastal debris surveys in Tasmania. © Lauren Roman

Research Methodology

Understanding Plastic Pollution

Interestingly, plastic accounts for approximately three-quarters of the waste littering our shores in Australia. Even cigarette butts, one of the most frequently found items, are primarily constructed from plastic materials.

To efficiently combat coastal pollution, it’s essential to comprehend the sources of this waste and the pathways through which it infiltrates the environment. Extensive research confirms that much of the debris observed along our coastlines originates from local inland regions. Inadequate waste management practices can lead to litter finding its way through rivers, ultimately reaching the ocean.

Our research targeted urban areas, as high population density and significant industrial activities contribute to rampant environmental waste generation. We systematically examined six cities throughout Australia:

• Perth in Western Australia
• Port Augusta in South Australia
• Hobart in Tasmania
• Newcastle in New South Wales
• Sunshine Coast in Queensland
• Alice Springs in the Northern Territory

These cities provide a foundational reference point for establishing a national baseline. At each site, we analyzed locations along the coast, rivers, and inland regions within a 100-kilometer radius.

In-Depth Survey Analysis

Surveying involved inspecting narrow strips of land, measuring two meters wide. Two trained scientists, standing upright and looking downward, meticulously walked along pre-determined lines to identify and catalog items of debris. Comprehensive data gathering included noting the type of material found and its possible original use, helping paint a clearer picture of pollution sources.

Findings of the Study

An In-Depth Look at Debris Density

On average, the survey revealed 0.15 items of debris per square meter—meaning that participants were likely to encounter an item of rubbish approximately every five steps.

Hobart had the highest occurrence of beverage bottles and bottle fragments. © Caroline Bray

Plastic emerged as the most prevalent type of waste discovered during the assessments. Yet in numerous instances, identifying each item’s original purpose proved challenging—fragments of hard plastic of uncertain origin were noted in over 25% of the surveyed areas.

Among the key findings:

• Polystyrene fragments represented the most common debris type overall, constituting 24% of all retrieved items.
• Other frequently found debris included food wrappers and labels, cigarette butts, and hard plastic bottle caps or lids.
• Notably, we observed higher concentrations of waste near agricultural areas, industrial sites, and socioeconomically disadvantaged zones.

The composition of litter varied from one urban center to another. For example, cigarette butts predominated in Newcastle, Perth, and the Sunshine Coast, while food wrappers and beverage cans were more typically encountered in Port Augusta and Alice Springs, respectively. Conversely, Hobart exhibited the highest prevalence of beverage containers and their fragments.

Policy Implications

Targeting Specific Waste Types

A detailed understanding of the various types of litter present in the environment can significantly assist policymakers and waste management leaders in strategizing targeted responses to specific items and enhancing overall waste recovery.

Our findings align with existing research highlighting the value of container deposit legislation. By providing individuals with an incentive to return eligible beverage containers to collection points for reimbursement, these regulations have successfully decreased the number of beverage containers observed along the coast by 40%. It’s crucial to note that Hobart lacked a container deposit scheme during our survey period.

Furthermore, the implementation of plastic bag bans has proven effective in curtailing bag litter, while polystyrene food service items are increasingly being identified as targets for regulatory action.

Positive Trends in Coastal Pollution

A Clearer Picture of Progress

By comparing current results against previous surveys conducted from 2011 to 2014, we noted a 39% reduction in coastal debris and identified a 16% increase in locations free from litter.

Our findings reinforce previously established research indicating an ongoing trend toward decreased waste along Australian beaches. This research underscores the success of enhanced waste management strategies, public engagement campaigns such as the “Five R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, then Recycle,” and community-led cleanup actions.

Growing awareness among Australians seems to be playing a crucial role in altering attitudes toward waste management. However, it’s imperative to focus on reducing the overall production of plastic and driving changes throughout the supply chain to further tackle environmental waste issues.

Australians are increasingly aware of the need to keep the coastal environment free of litter. © Qamar Schuyler

Forward-Looking Statements

Implications for Future Initiatives

Measuring and monitoring litter trends serves as a vital tool in informing both policymaking and waste management techniques. Our research stands as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of future efforts focussed on minimizing plastic waste.

While we celebrate our findings, it’s important to recognize that concerted efforts are necessary from government entities, industry stakeholders, and Australian communities alike. It is essential for all parties to take proactive steps in assessing how we produce, use, and dispose of plastic, with a shared aim for a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Role of AI legalese decoder

In the complex landscape of environmental laws and waste management regulations, navigating legal jargon can be challenging. That’s where the AI legalese decoder comes into play. This innovative tool can translate intricate legal documents and regulations into plain language, empowering policymakers, environmentalists, and stakeholders to grasp and adhere to the requirements for reducing pollution effectively. By simplifying legal communication, the AI legalese decoder may facilitate smoother policy implementation and foster greater community involvement, ensuring that everyone plays a part in protecting Australia’s precious coastal ecosystems.

This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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