A Sea of Plastic: Social-Structural Drivers of Marine Plastic Pollution in Europe

The primary aim of the project is to identify social structural drivers of growing plastics pollution. Plastic pollution is a serious sustainability problem, affecting numerous ecosystems, such as oceans. Understanding the social dimensions of increasing plastic pollution is an urgent need. Yet, sociological research on plastic pollution is notably limited.

The research will provide much-needed insights on political-economic—i.e. structural—drivers of plastic pollution into the ocean commons. The project will focus on a major area of global plastic production and consumption: the European Economic Area.

It will identify the sustainability strategies of key industry actors regarding plastic pollution and how this has influenced approaches and actions regarding pollution, particularly in marine systems.

The overarching question in this research project is: Why has plastic pollution in marine systems increased significantly during an era of growing attention to sustainable development?

Drawing on environmental sociology, the research hypothesizes that political-economic dynamics and priorities, such as growth imperatives and commodification, shaped industry actions and responses to mounting plastic waste in the oceans. The research will specify social processes driving plastic pollution and influencing governance in Europe.

In doing so, it will provide directions for addressing a serious environmental concern with far-reaching implications for ecosystems and human health.