Mapping Plastic and Plastic Additive Cycles in Coastal Countries: A Norwegian Case Study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Material Flow Analysis
• Pollution Studies

Background:

• Plastic pollution poses significant environmental risks.
• Understanding plastic polymer cycles and additives is crucial for mitigation.
• Existing methods often overlook microplastic leaching during product use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a novel dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis (DPMFA) method for mapping plastic cycles in coastal nations.
• To quantify microplastic release during the product use phase.
• To model the environmental fate of 232 plastic additives.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a comprehensive top-down, inflow-driven DPMFA approach.
• Applied the methodology to Norway's plastic economy in 2020.
• Detailed the pathways of plastic and additive release into various environmental compartments.

Main Results:

• 758 kt of plastics entered Norway's economy in 2020, with 632 kt wasted.
• 15.2 kt of plastic waste was released into the environment, with 4.8 kt reaching the ocean.
• Tire wear rubber identified as a key microplastic source; consumer packaging (LDPE, PP, PET) a major macroplastic source.
• 75 kt of plastic additives were potentially released alongside polymers.

Conclusions:

• Upstream interventions, including reduced consumption and improved product design, are most effective for mitigating plastic pollution.
• The study provides critical data on plastic and additive flows, essential for targeted environmental policies.
• Dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis offers a powerful tool for understanding complex environmental cycles.