The hidden costs of plastic pollution: a call to value its unpriced externalities

Key Points

• This study aims to highlight the unpriced externalities associated with plastic pollution and the need for their valuation.
• Literature review of environmental and economic impacts of plastic pollution.
• Analysis of existing frameworks for valuing externalities.
• Identification of gaps in current economic assessments.
• Revealed significant economic impacts of plastic pollution that are currently unaccounted for.
• Highlighted the necessity for incorporating these externalities in economic policies.
• Suggested actionable strategies for better economic valuation of plastic pollution.