STR?VAN EFTER ETT RENARE HAV OCH EN B?TTRE HAVSMILJ?
Marint skr?pMikroplasterMaterial?tervinningFiskeredskapSoten?s marina ?tervinningscentral (M?VC)Polymerer (PEPPPA)KlimatnyttaMarine litterMicroplasticsMaterial recyclingFishing gearSoten?s marine recycling center (M?VC)Polymers (PEPPPA)Climate benefit
This literature study compiles available data and examines the potential environmental benefits of marine reuse and material recycling of fishery-related plastic waste at the Soten?s marine recycling center (M?VC). The marine environment faces significant challenges due to littering, where abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear constitutes a major source of both ghost fishing and plastic pollution. Through a literature review and analysis of the polymers polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyamide (PA), the study evaluates how circular resource management impacts fossil resource consumption and microplastic formation. Previous results show plastic materials in the marine environment gradually fragment into secondary microplastics through a combination of UV radiation and mechanical abrasion. My calculations based on data from M?VC for 2025, indicate that the collection of PE and PP can prevent the formation of billions and trillions of microplastic particles per year respectively if the material is collected instead of remaining in the ocean, where PP fragments significantly faster than PE. Furthermore, life cycle assessments show that material recycling provides a climate saving of approximately 0.35 kg CO2e per kilogram of material compared to incineration, primarily by replacing newly produced virgin plastic. The conclusion is that early intervention to collect and return marine plastic to the material cycle is crucial for reducing the spread of microplastics and limiting climate impact. Despite this, a significant proportion of material is still directed toward energy recovery, highlighting the need for further development of systems for circular resource management.