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Assessment of the plastic waste cycle in Portugal
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Abstract(s)
A presente dissertação apresenta uma revisão e análise abrangente da poluição causada por
plásticos e microplásticos em Portugal, centrando-se na análise da literatura existente, nos
sistemas de gestão de resíduos e nos pontos críticos de poluição.
Esta investigação começou com uma análise bibliométrica utilizando o Biblioshiny, uma
ferramenta do R Studio, para avaliar as tendências das publicações científicas relacionadas
com a poluição por plásticos. Esta análise revelou um aumento significativo na produção de
investigação, particularmente após a pandemia de COVID-19, indicando uma crescente
preocupação global e nacional com a poluição plástica.
Foi ainda realizado um balanço de massa para avaliar o fluxo de resíduos de plástico nos
sistemas de gestão de resíduos urbanos em Portugal. Os dados dos Sistemas de Gestão de
Resíduos Urbanos (SGRU) foram processados para avaliar a eficiência da reciclagem e o
tratamento dos resíduos. Esta análise revelou várias ineficiências no atual sistema de gestão
de resíduos, sublinhando a necessidade de melhorias para cumprir os objetivos de reciclagem
da UE.
Foi também realizada uma revisão da literatura existente sobre plásticos e microplásticos em
Portugal de onde resultou um mapeamento espacial de forma a identificar os principais pontos
críticos de poluição ao longo de Portugal. Foi usado o R Studio para mapear a distribuição de
microplásticos em sedimentos e organismos marinhos, destacando áreas com elevados níveis
de contaminação. Este mapeamento revelou lacunas na investigação, particularmente em
regiões interiores e áreas naturais protegidas, sugerindo direções para estudos futuros.
Por último, foi efetuado um levantamento dos efeitos da sensibilização do público e das
políticas no combate à poluição por plásticos e foram apresentadas recomendações para
melhorar a participação do público nos esforços de reciclagem através de campanhas
direcionadas e programas educativos, com o objetivo de promover comportamentos mais
responsáveis na eliminação de resíduos.
Esta dissertação visa contribuir na abordagem dos desafios que Portugal enfrenta na gestão
dos resíduos plásticos, apontando áreas essenciais para futuras investigações e possíveis
avanços nas políticas públicas.
This dissertation presents a comprehensive review and analysis of plastic and microplastic pollution in Portugal, focusing on analyzing existing literature, waste management systems and pollution hotspots. This research began with a bibliometric analysis using Biblioshiny, an R Studio tool, to assess trends in scientific publications related to plastic pollution. This analysis revealed a significant increase in research output, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a growing global and national concern about plastic pollution. A mass balance was also carried out to assess the flow of plastic waste in municipal waste management systems in Portugal. Data from the Municipal Waste Management Systems (SGRU) was processed to assess the efficiency of recycling and waste treatment. This analysis revealed several inefficiencies in the current waste management system, emphasizing the need for improvements to meet EU recycling targets. A review of the existing literature on plastics and microplastics in Portugal was also carried out, resulting in spatial mapping to identify the main pollution hotspots throughout Portugal. R Studio was used to map the distribution of microplastics in sediments and marine organisms, highlighting areas with high levels of contamination. This mapping revealed research gaps, particularly in inland regions and protected natural areas, suggesting directions for future studies. Finally, a survey of the effects of public awareness and policies in the fight against plastic pollution was carried out and recommendations were made to improve public participation in recycling efforts through targeted campaigns and educational programs, with the aim of promoting more responsible waste disposal behavior. This dissertation aims to contribute to addressing the challenges that Portugal faces in plastic waste management, pointing out key areas for future research and possible advances in public policy.
This dissertation presents a comprehensive review and analysis of plastic and microplastic pollution in Portugal, focusing on analyzing existing literature, waste management systems and pollution hotspots. This research began with a bibliometric analysis using Biblioshiny, an R Studio tool, to assess trends in scientific publications related to plastic pollution. This analysis revealed a significant increase in research output, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a growing global and national concern about plastic pollution. A mass balance was also carried out to assess the flow of plastic waste in municipal waste management systems in Portugal. Data from the Municipal Waste Management Systems (SGRU) was processed to assess the efficiency of recycling and waste treatment. This analysis revealed several inefficiencies in the current waste management system, emphasizing the need for improvements to meet EU recycling targets. A review of the existing literature on plastics and microplastics in Portugal was also carried out, resulting in spatial mapping to identify the main pollution hotspots throughout Portugal. R Studio was used to map the distribution of microplastics in sediments and marine organisms, highlighting areas with high levels of contamination. This mapping revealed research gaps, particularly in inland regions and protected natural areas, suggesting directions for future studies. Finally, a survey of the effects of public awareness and policies in the fight against plastic pollution was carried out and recommendations were made to improve public participation in recycling efforts through targeted campaigns and educational programs, with the aim of promoting more responsible waste disposal behavior. This dissertation aims to contribute to addressing the challenges that Portugal faces in plastic waste management, pointing out key areas for future research and possible advances in public policy.
Description
Keywords
Poluição causada pelos plásticos Microplásticos Gestão de resíduos Reciclagem Portugal Plastic pollution Microplastics Waste management Recycling