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It is widely known and demonstrated that plastic waste pollution is a significant factor contributing to the deterioration of the worldwide freshwater resources. In close relation to this is also the marine and oceanic pollution, which is influenced, among other, by the pollution of the freshwater resources which discharge into the seas and oceans. On top of that comes the latest research, which shows that plastic waste pollution is predicted to exceed the efforts to mitigate such pollution with reference to the year 2030. In such context, we find that it is important to determine, from a legal standpoint, if and how the currently applicable Romanian legal framework is capable to address and contribute to the mitigating mechanisms against freshwater pollution by plastic waste. First, this paper undertakes to briefly discuss the latest findings related to the plastic waste pollution of freshwater resources. Second, we will analyse the most important and relevant legal provisions in the field of water protection against pollution with plastic waste, on one hand, and in the field of (plastic) waste management, on the other hand. Third, we will try to determine if and how they can be seen as establishing a coherent and integrative legal framework, capable of addressing the above-mentioned issues. Last but not least, we will present the conclusions of our study and potential areas of improvement of the applicable legal provisions in Romania in relation to pollution of freshwater resources by (plastic) waste. |
