Small island communities and remote coastal areas (SICs) find themselves on the absolute frontline of the global plastic pollution crisis, bearing a disproportionate environmental and financial burden. Due to geographic isolation, limited land availability, and small populations that rule out mainland economies of scale, standard waste management models regularly fail in these fragile ecosystems. In response to this compounding threat, this white paper by the PREVENT Waste Alliance and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste consolidates local, innovative, and fit-for-purpose solutions from across the globe. By exploring practical framework applications, ranging from single-use plastic bans to community-led circular initiatives, the document outlines a localised, sustainable roadmap to stem the tide of marine litter and close the plastic tap for good.
The study titled “Ending Plastic Pollution in Small Islands and Remote Coastal Areas: In Pursuit of Circularity” serves as a strategic repository of global case studies showcasing successful plastic prevention and management models tailored to isolated communities. Navigating through the standard hierarchy of actions (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Mechanical Recycling, Energy Recovery, and Responsible Disposal), the paper evaluates real-world projects against critical criteria like economic sustainability, replicability, social equity, and environmental impact.
