The economic impacts of marine plastic debris in South Africa: A preliminary estimate

Marine plastic debris can affect the delivery of ecosystem services and cause direct damage to affected industries; with resulting impacts on the economy. This paper applies a version of the benefits transfer method to provide a preliminary estimate of the economic impacts of marine plastic in South Africa, in terms of impacts on ecosystem services, direct damage to industry, and clean-up costs. The total economic impact associated with the plastic reaching South Africa's marine environment each year ranges between R3.5 billion and R34.9 billion per year (0.05 to 0.5 % of annual GDP), with a mid-range estimate of R14.1 billion per year (0.2 % of GDP). The cost per tonne of plastic (per year) ranges between R70 635 and R698 186 (mid-range estimate of R282 028 per tonne). The lifetime cost per tonne of marine plastic, in terms of its impacts on ecosystem services over its lifetime, ranges between R3.4 million and R33.8 million per tonne (mid-range estimate = R13.5 million per tonne). The plastic entering South Africa's marine environment each year imposes a total cost of between R169 billion and R1.69 trillion (mid-range estimate = R677 billion) in terms of impacts on ecosystem services over its lifetime. However, there is a need for further research to assess the full set of environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of plastics, of alternatives to plastic, and of various types of intervention strategies; to inform the most suitable strategies for reducing the leakage of plastic waste to the environment.