The UNEP reported in 2021 that 9–14 million tons of plastic waste per year are estimated to enter the oceans. This plastic waste harms aquatic wildlife and decreases fishery productivity. Plastics do not biodegrade but break down into smaller pieces known as microplastics. These persist in the environment, accumulating in marine ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain.
This course provides: Overview of plastic pollution in oceans; International discussions on plastic pollution of oceans; and Strategies to prevent plastic pollution such as regulations on single-use plastics, recycling, innovations like biodegradable plastics as well as waste management, energy recovery, and educational efforts to raise awareness of reducing plastic consumption and promoting sustainable practices.
The main objectives of this course are:
Understand plastic pollution in oceans
Promote measures to prevent plastic pollution
Contribute to restoring the ocean environment
This e-learning course will cover the following modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Plastic Pollution
Module 2: Reducing Single-use Plastics
Module 3: Recycling
Module 4: Waste Management and Energy Recovery
Module 5: International Treaties on Plastic Pollution
Important Notes:
Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, the most appropriate time to take the examination should be chosen carefully. The self-assessment quizzes are for personal evaluation only and are not related to the final examination results.
Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects on similar topics, when nominated by their NPOs and if slots are available.
Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, although they will not have an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.
Each module is in a prerecorded video format in which the expert delivers presentations by explaining each slide. Participants can access the video by clicking on the link provided under the title of each module.