Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 23 Issue 1

Innovation, investment (pp. 18- 20) Horizon 2020 WP 2016-2017 – Industry in the Circular Economy, with funding of over EUR 650 million (Oct 2015 onwards) Pilot ‘innovation deals’ - to address regulatory obstacles to innovators (2016) Step up action to mobilise stakeholders in the circular economy, as well as targeted outreach to develop circular economy projects through Cohesion policy funds….[inc.] are of plastic recycling (2016 onwards) The global dimension of the circular economy and supply chains is prominent in areas such as Can catalyse the development of the circular economy and hence keep plastic and its value in the economy. Research objectives and knowledge gaps should also be considered. Monitoring (p21) Monitoring framework for the Circular Economy to be developed with the EEA (2017) Monitoring of marine litter, and also level of plastic reuse and recycling will be helpful indicators of circular economy developments SDGs (p 3) (p13) This action plan will be instrumental in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, in particular Goal 12 of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Specific action to reduce marine litter implementing the 2030 SDGs target p.13 The EU has made global commitments to addressing marine litter (which is a cross border issue) – engagement and collaboration internationally is important. Furthermore, the roadmap for plastics, marine litter and circular economy is also laid out in the action plan which describes the roles of stakeholders concerned and their responsibilities. From the latter, it can be noted that this crisis can be addressed by engaging in public awareness campaigns about the adverse effects of marine plastic pollution, providing governments with tailored and specific knowledge on appropriate public policy measures, and capacity building and mobilizing a wide range of stakeholders from the private sector, the research community, NGOs, local authorities, and national governments. Women, youth, and coastal communities can also participate actively to bring the expected changes to an extent to make a difference. Tackling the problem of marine litter through circular economy not only offers clear benefits for the aquatic ecosystem, but also take into account the depletion of natural resources and climate change. It also has the potential to create jobs and to foster innovation and market creation (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2016). As a concrete example, a joint project based on circular economy initiatives involving South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya, Thailand and Viet Nam over three years 2017 to 2020 revealed that an appreciable reduction or diversion of plastic to the oceans had been achieved. In fact, more than 240,000 kg of plastic was denied from reaching the ocean in the five countries (Boucher et al. 2020). Moreover, the technical and financial support from the project provided capacity building to the grantee entities. This was noted in Kenya and they were able to invest in machinery for The circular economy initiatives were also found to contribute significant towards poverty reduction and bestowing dignity of those engaged in the lowest rungs of the waste value chains, for example, waste pickers. In particular, the sponsored circular economy initiatives resulted in capacity development of community groups, and income generation for vulnerable women and youth through participation in the waste value chain, such as collection and recycling activities. III. R ecycling As mentioned above, plastic wastes can cause severe harm not only to the ecosystems, but also to the environment (Gall and Thompson, 2015) owing to the continuous production of virgin fossil- based plastics, leading to depletion of natural resources and excessive release of greenhouse gases during the production phase, the transport of materials and incineration of plastics as a disposal method. Without value retention, Holistic Approach to Tackle (Micro) Plastic Pollution: The Case of Mauritius 1 Year 2023 25 © 2023 Global Journals Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXIII Issue ersion I VI ( H )