Marine plastic pollution costs the world up to $2.5bn a year, researchers find

Scientists warn that social and economic price of plastic waste to global society has been underestimated

Plastic pollution in the world's oceans costs society billions of dollars every year in damaged and lost resources, research has found.

Fisheries, aquaculture, recreational activities and global wellbeing are all negatively affected by plastic pollution, with an estimated 1-5% decline in the benefit humans derive from oceans. The resulting cost in such benefits, known as marine ecosystem value, is up to $2.5bn (1.9bn) a year, according to a study published this week in Marine Pollution Bulletin.