Navigating marine litter governance: loopholes and strategic recommendations for the EU policy framework

Marine litter is a systemic problem, rooted in prevailing production and consumption patterns, material and product design choices, waste management structures, and behavioural practices. Addressing it requires a response that spans the entire lifecycle of materials and products, from design choices to robust end-of-life management. The European Union has positioned itself as a global frontrunner in the fight against marine litter, adopting an ambitious policy framework encompassing circular economy principles, zero pollution objectives and environmental protection goals. Nonetheless, there is a persistent misalignment between policy intent, implementation, and the scale and complexity of the marine litter challenge. The continued accumulation of marine litter in the ocean and on European and global coastlines suggests that there are structural and operational weaknesses to be identified and addressed. This paper analyses key European and selected international policy instruments relevant to marine litter prevention and management. The qualitative review of legislative instruments, supported by literature and available data, identifies structural weaknesses and implementation challenges. These include, inter alia, an insufficient focus on waste prevention, regulatory loopholes that enable the emergence of unsustainable product substitutes, disparities in waste management infrastructure across EU Member States, and a lack of harmonised and up-to-date data to support decision-making. Drawing on expert knowledge and insights, the identified policy gaps and weaknesses are translated into targeted, evidence-based, and actionable recommendations. The findings highlight the need to move beyond fragmented responses towards a more coherent policy framework that prioritises upstream interventions and strengthens enforcement towards a truly circular approach to addressing marine litter.