\ Source: Frerck, n.d. PLASTIC MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ON ISLANDS Research Project Nelle Kloosterboer IVM Supervisors: dr. P.J.H. van Beukering & H. Dijkstra Abstract The plastic soup is caused by large consumption and improper waste management of plastics worldwide. A global change in plastic management is needed to counter further growth of this problem. Many studies have been done on improving plastic management in large countries and regions, but islands have often been overlooked. Additionally, plastic pollution often ends up on the shorelines of islands, making sustainable plastic management a necessity on islands. This study investigates plastic management measures that contribute most effectively to sustainable plastic management and development on Texel and Sint Maarten. Firstly, the West Frisian Islands and the Dutch Caribbean Islands are analysed according to the island characteristics that influence the local plastic management system. Secondly, Material Flow Analyses of plastics are conducted for the West Frisian Islands and the Dutch Caribbean Islands to get an overview of the plastic product, waste, and pollution flows and discover specific trends surrounding plastics on the islands. Thirdly, Scenario Analyses are presented for the two case studies Texel and Sint Maarten, which show potential pathways towards sustainable plastic management on these islands. The results show that reducing plastic consumption is a slightly more effective strategy to improve sustainable plastic management and development than managing plastic waste and pollution. Furthermore, the methods utilized in this study have shown to be innovative and effective in improving plastic management systems on islands. Still, additional research is needed on macro- and microplastic flows, measures, and their impacts on islands worldwide to significantly contribute in reducing the plastic soup. 2 Table of Content Abstract ..............................................................................................................................................2 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................5 2. Research question .......................................................................................................................6 3. Conceptual and Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................7 3.1 Concepts .............................................................................................................................7 3.1.1 Plastic Material Flows ..................................................................................................7 3.1.2 Plastic Pollution ...........................................................................................................7 3.1.3 Plastic Waste Management ..........................................................................................8 3.1.4 Sustainable Development ............................................................................................9 3.1.5 Island Characteristics ...................................................................................................9 3.1.6 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................9 3.2 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 10 4. Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 12 4.1 Island Characterization ...................................................................................................... 12 4.2 Material Flow Analysis ....................................................................................................... 12 4.3 Selecting and Rating Plastic Management Measures .......................................................... 13 4.4 Scenario Analysis ............................................................................................................... 14 5. Results ...................................................................................................................................... 16 5.1 Island Characterization ...................................................................................................... 16 5.1.1 West Frisian Islands ................................................................................................... 16 5.1.2 Dutch Caribbean Islands............................................................................................. 17 5.2 Material Flow Analysis ....................................................................................................... 19 5.2.1 West Frisian Islands ................................................................................................... 19 5.2.2 Texel .......................................................................................................................... 21 5.2.3 Dutch Caribbean Islands............................................................................................. 23 5.2.4 Sint Maarten .............................................................................................................. 24 5.2.5 Implications Material Flow Analyses .......................................................................... 25 5.3 Scenario Analysis ............................................................................................................... 28 5.3.1 Texel .......................................................................................................................... 28 5.3.2 Sint Maarten .............................................................................................................. 33 5.3.3 Summary Scenario Analysis ........................................................................................ 38 6. Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 40 7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 43 8. References ................................................................................................................................ 44 9. Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 51 3 Appendix 1: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Vlieland ............................................................ 51 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 51 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 51 Appendix 2: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Terschelling ...................................................... 52 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 52 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 52 Appendix 3: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Ameland ........................................................... 53 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 53 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 53 Appendix 4: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Schiermonnikoog .............................................. 54 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 54 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 54 Appendix 5: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Aruba ............................................................... 55 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 55 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 56 Appendix 6: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Bonaire ............................................................. 57 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 57 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 58 Appendix 7: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Curaçao ............................................................ 59 Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................... 59 Legislation and Community Initiatives ....................................................................................... 60 Appendix 8: Material Flow Analysis on plastics of Saba ................................................................. 61 Plastic Pollution........................................................................................................................