(Es) (Ecuador)

Plastic, ubiquitous in modern life due to its durability and low cost, has generated an environmental crisis of global proportions. Every year, between 1.15 and 12.5 million metric tons of plastics enter the oceans as marine litter (MMA Chile, 2021), fragmenting into micro and nanoplastics under the action of solar radiation. The accumulation of plastic waste on coasts and oceans constitutes a serious threat to marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. This study proposes the formulation of public policies and strategies that contribute to mitigating marine pollution from this source and its effects on ecosystems and human health.