Marine Litter Legislation: A Toolkit for Policymakers

This toolkit provides a global review of the challenges of marine waste and the legal mechanisms implemented to prevent, reduce, and manage its proliferation. Drawing upon diverse national, subnational, and international legal instruments, the text examines frameworks governing both land-based and sea-based waste inputs. The methodology focuses on assessing solid waste management models, circular economy approaches, and specific regulatory measures like bans or levies. Key findings demonstrate that while most nations currently adapt existing general solid waste frameworks to address the issue , a growing number are implementing targeted regulations to manage the lifecycle of materials before they enter aquatic ecosystems.