A Decision Framework for Estimating the Cost of Marine Plastic Pollution Interventions

The article presents a framework aimed at evaluating the economic, social, and ecological costs and benefits associated with interventions to mitigate marine plastic pollution. The authors emphasize that while there has been a significant increase in global investments to combat plastic pollution, the costs of these interventions have not been adequately assessed, which is crucial for effective conservation decision-making.

The framework allows stakeholders to systematically identify and quantify various cost and benefit categories related to plastic pollution interventions. The net cost is calculated using the equation: net cost = (direct costs + indirect costs + nonmonetary costs) - (recovered costs + monetary benefits + nonmonetary benefits). This approach highlights the importance of considering both direct and indirect costs, as well as nonmonetary factors, which are often overlooked in traditional cost-benefit analyses.

The article discusses two quantitative case studies: the implementation of a solid waste management (SWM) plan in Bayawan, Philippines, and the establishment of a trash interceptor in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bayawan case study revealed a net cost estimate of $1,154,526 over five years, primarily borne by the municipal government, while the public incurred direct costs of $38,600. The study noted that the benefits of the SWM plan would be disproportionately distributed, potentially affecting low-income communities more severely. In contrast, the Baltimore case study indicated a net cost of $2,250,202 for the trash wheel project, with various stakeholders, including the Waterfront Partnership and the city, sharing the financial burden.

The authors also conducted comparative case studies to explore how costs and benefits vary based on temporal and spatial scales, as well as socioeconomic contexts. They found that the net costs of coastal cleanups increased over longer time frames, while waste-to-energy (WTE) plants showed decreasing net costs with extended operational periods. This stresses the necessity of evaluating interventions over appropriate time horizons to ensure accurate cost assessments.

One of the key insights from the article is the need for a participatory approach in decision-making, where diverse stakeholders are engaged in identifying and analyzing costs and benefits. This is particularly important for ensuring equity, as marginalized communities often bear a disproportionate share of the costs associated with plastic pollution interventions. The authors recommend that decision-makers consider the full distribution of costs across different stakeholders and implement secondary policies to alleviate the burden on vulnerable populations.