The mass consumption and accelerated discard of human-made products is posing an acute disposal problem at a global scale, and the ocean is the sink for much of our waste. Metal, textile, glass, paper, rubber and, in particular, plastic items accumulate in shorelines, water and seafloors worldwide. Plastic is a cornerstone of today's civilisation but, at the same time, it results in waste with the highest persistence, mobility and capacity to infiltrate ecosystems and organisms.

MALUCA Lab aims to generate science-based knowledge to underpin the decision making in the face of the environmental and social challenges posed by the accumulation of litter in the oceans. Although the volume of data on marine litter is growing fast, basic questions remain unresolved. Where and when litter accumulations appear?. Which products are the most harmful?. How marine life and ecosystems are affected?. How effective are the actions being taken to combat marine litter?.

We transform field data into products in support of research and policy. We disseminate empirically-grounded information to move towards sustainable consumption and a clean and healthy ocean.

UCA Marine Litter Lab (MALUCA) belongs to Department of Biology (Ecology Area) at the University of Cadiz (UCA), Spain.