Material Flow Analysis of Plastic Waste in Qatar: Focusing on the Marine Environment

Abstract

As the population continues to grow, the generation of waste and specifically plastic waste, has also increased significantly in the past decades both globally and regionally. However, little attention has been directed to this problem in the region. This study aims to delineate and map the status of the plastic waste problem in Qatar with a focus on the plastic inflow to the marine environment. A generic material flow diagram was built using a material flow analysis software named STAN, to depict the flow of the plastic waste. The study focuses on the plastic waste in the marine environment, depicting the different types, sizes and shapes of plastic particles, and the recovery and recycling efforts that have been made, in order to reduce plastic waste and minimize its risk on the environment.