Plastic pollution in mountain environments

While the importance of the reduction of plastic pollution for nature conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services is widely recognized, still limited information exists on the distribution and sources of plastic pollution in mountainous areas.

Also, little is known about the social awareness of plastic pollution in these areas by their users. Research suggests that mountainous areas are experiencing plastic pollution around main hiking trails and adjacent stream valleys due to the pressure of tourism.

Moreover, it is important to understand to what extent plastic pollution and waste management are taken into account in the management of mountain environments.

We are looking for MSc thesis research that aims to clarify the relationship between plastic pollution and the mountain community (volunteers, hikers and climbers, local mountain hut workers, and Personal Assistant (PA) managers).

This research could investigate the role played by the local mountain community in both the problem of and possible countermeasures to plastic pollution in a specific mountain area, or it could engage in a literature review on this still understudied topic.

Contact: Ansje Lohr en Lisanne Groen