Public perceptions of the value of reducing marine plastics in Australian waters

Plastic is the most pervasive type of marine litter and is found in all of the world's oceans and seas, even in remote areas far from human activities. In Australia, evidence has demonstrated that plastic pollution in the oceans is a serious threat to marine life and the marine environment more generally. In response to the adverse effects of marine plastic pollution, the Australian Commonwealth and state government's focus on plastics has shifted from a linear ‘take-make-dispose-of’ economy to a more circular economy approach. This study identifies different policy strategies that align with the 4R framework (Reduce, Recycle or Reuse and Recover) of a circular economy for plastics and provides estimates of the public's Willingness to Pay (WTP) for the reduction of plastics in marine waters. The results, from our Australian case study, indicate a preference for Redesigning and Recovering approaches over Recycling or Reuse policies. Results indicate a WTP of $7.52 to $23.50 for attributes based upon redesign and a $0.84 to $0.87 range for attributes based upon recovery at the household level. The findings of this study are useful for policy makers focused on the reduction of marine plastic pollution and strengthening a circular economy for plastics. •Sampled Australians have a wide range of preferences for ways to reduce marine plastics.•Redesigning products and Recovering plastics preferred over more Recycling options.•Half of sampled Australians have negative mean WTP for machine sorting facilities.•Sampled Australians support extending Deposit Refund Schemes.