Template for Country Updating （information-sharing）

for the Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

1.Name of country and organization(s): Islamic Republic of Iran Department of Environment (DOE)

2.Policy framework: （please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine plastic litter and outline them briefly）

1) Waste Management Law of Islamic republic of Iran: was rectified in 2004 and the

resolution for the implementation of the law was approved in 2005. In 2019 the taxation

system resolution was approved and distributed amongst all related parties of the resolution

to be in effect.

The Waste Management Law contains 23 articles with 9 paragraphs. Within article 1 all

parties to this resolution should act fully upon all article and conserve the environment from

ever increasing danger of waste materials.

2) The Law of taking taxes for productions that causes creation of dangerous

materials: Recently established in 2019, contains 6 articles with parties to this resolution

should act fully upon all articles. This law obtains tax for list of goods that cause creation of

litter, such as different kinds of tiers, toys witch made of plastic and so on. The stakeholders,

who reuse the goods, do not force to pay task.

3) Draft of “Criteria for reducing plastic consumption in the country": This criteria

contains 11 articles with 14 paragraphs. Within article 2, all manufacturers and importers of

plastic bags or raw Materials of such commodities are required to submit 0.5 per thousand

worth of goods to the National Environmental Fund while selling or entering the country.

Within article 2, plastic bag manufacturing units require to reduce 27% of plastic bags which

produce annually, and replace them with environmentally friendly products. Within article 5,

the use of any plastic bag is prohibited in all government agencies. Within article 7, any

commercial advertising through the insertion and attachment of plastic bags is prohibited.

4) Guideline for environmental aspects in packaging, distribution and consumption of

mineral plaster and cement products: This guideline contains 12 articles with 3

paragraphs. Within article 2, packaging, distribution and consumption of all gypsum and

cement minerals packed in weights up to 50 Kg is permitted only using paper packaging.

Within article 5, if the environmental messages on the packaging of products covered by this

instruction are included, the use of one in one thousand sales subject to Article 45 of the Law

on the Collection of Some Government Revenue for Related Industries shall be permitted by

the Organization.

5) Guideline for use of biodegradable plastics: This guideline contains 16 articles with 2 paragraphs. Within article 2, Biodegradable plastic replacement program was prepared for some packaging goods proposed by DOE and implemented by the Ministry of Industry. Within article 5, the standard organization is asked to monitor the relevant national standard, applies to additives for the production of biodegradable. Within article 14, all units producing biodegradable plastics that comply with the provisions of this Directive shall have the maximum facilities provided for the establishment and continued operation of industrial plants in accordance with Articles 12 and 17 of the Implementing Regulations of the Waste Management Act. Related protocol, action plan and project: 1) LBS (Signed in 2011): Protocol for the protection of the Caspian Sea against pollution from land-based sources and activities to the framework Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the Caspian Sea. 2) Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-Operation of the Marine Environment from Pollution (1978): Contains 30 Articles & 4 protocols. The Marine Litter related protocols and strategy are:

• Protocol for the Protection of the Marine Environment against Pollution from Land-Based Sources(1990),

• Protocol on the Control of Marine Trans-boundary Movements and Disposal of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes (1998)Other relevant efforts include increase of public awareness about the marine debris and support of research studies aiming to scientifically address the extent of this problem in the region.

• Draft of Ecosystem Base Management Strategy in ROPME Sea Area.

3. Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few selected best practices in section 5)

1. Waste Disposal and Recycling Management in accordance with Iranian Waste Management Law (1) Regulations of Waste Consumption and Production brings about reduction of waste (2) Promotion of Production and Consumption of goods with easy recycling and limitation on production and import of those with difficult Disposal and Recycling (3) Improvement of Production using Recycled Material (4) The Responsibility of Recycle Waste in part Rest upon Waste Producers (5) Smooth acceptance of ship-generated waste at ports: According to Marpol Convention Environmental Inspection and other activities within port sites, are considered as DOE duties and annual planning and coordination with the help of Port and Shipping should be carried out. In line with this act, 8 environmental inspections trials were carried out; one of them according to Annex 5 of Marpol Convention is related to Ship Litters Management. The collected ship litters is gained as volumetric, recorded in special check list and finally, transferred to recycling facilities of cities or handed to waste disposal facilities. The Port HSE is conducting different steps of waste management (receiving, collecting, maintaining and transferring), contracting with specialized companies and writing reports continuously in a daily basis. 2. Dumping of waste and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean (1) Dumping of waste according to environmental regulation is the duty of Internal Affair ministry and regulated by DOE and Agriculture ministry. Also the dumping location of waste is regulated by Civil and Architect Higher Council. (2) The Affair ministry provides funds facilities and machinery. And the dumping is done either by the ministry or privet sectors (3) Iran is a party to the London Protocol and DOE is the National Focal Point for this protocol and the Lead Agency of marine litter issues in the country. 3. Clean-up activities for towns, rivers, and beaches by residents and governmental/non-governmental organizations (1) Clean up activity on Caspian Sea, Oman Sea and Persian Gulf beaches in line with No Litter Plan (2) Clean Beach activity for all coastal cities located in Hormozgan province with the help of local communities and NGOs on regular basis usually on the last Friday of the Iranian calendar year

(3) Clean up the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf in collaboration with local communities and NGOs during Environment Week (4) Beach cleanup in Abu Musa Island, Hormoz Island and local communities and authorities (5) Nationwide clean-up event during “The Clean Earth Week” 5.Actions taken to reduce the usage of plastic material and replacement by environmental friendly material (1) Approval of the need to reduce and replace plastic bags in production centers, especially in chain stores (2009). (2) Support industries that produce recyclable disposable envelopes and containers (3) The municipalities are required to use non-plastic containers in all its events (2009) (4) All executive agencies are required to replace plant-based disposable containers in place of disposable polymer containers (2010). (5) The Government is asked to provide the fund through banking system and all related departments are asked to dissipate information to public regarding the dangers of disposable Polymer dishes (6) Pilot distribution of environmentally friendly, degradable nylon and placement recycled containers in Green Grosser Markets instead of plastic bags (2011). (7) Procedure for reducing plastic bag consumption in Shahrvand chain stores using the potential of women head of household for making textile bags (2013). (8) A prohibition is also imposed on the use of plastic water bottles in all the offices of DOE (headquarter and 31 provincial offices) across the country since mid-January 2018. 6. Collaboration with stakeholders (1) Clean up the coastal areas of Nayband Bay (Bushehr Province) in collaboration with Nayband Petrochemical Unit: Clean up Neyband beaches approximately 8.5 km twice a month. Including installation of special buckets in 5 existing parking lots and boards with themes related to enhancing general environmental culture. (2) Implanting different "No Plastic Day" programs with major Iranian Municipalities. 7. Regional cooperation (1) Regional project “Addressing Marine litter in Caspian Sea Region” (2) Draft of Regional Caspian Sea Marine Liter Action Plan as a part of above regional project. (3) Risk Assessment Plan for Plastic Waste Accumulated Areas in the North Coasts of the

Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (South Coast of the Country): Part of the Macroplastics Monitoring Master Plan, which is co-operating with Oman, India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Iran that Australia is head of project. (4) ROPME Regional workshop on marine plastics and marine litter, in general is planned to be organized in cooperation with UNEP’s Global Program of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities in September 2018.The main aim of this workshop is to identify priority actions to address marine litter and microplastics in the region and to facilitate cooperation between stakeholders in order to stimulate the development of regional action plans and a special strategy for marine litters and plastics.

8. Accumulation of actual conditions and accumulation of scientific knowledge (1) Assemblage of encrusting organisms on floating anthropogenic debris along the northern coast of the Persian Gulf (2019), Shabani et al, Environmental Pollution 254 (2019) 112979: the significant difference in coverage of rafting species on plastic items among different sites, there was no clear and consistent trend of species richness and coverage (2) Survey of eighteen stations of the coast of Hormozgan province and a number of stations in the Larak, Faroor and Bani Faroor islands: This study showed that 80% of the waste was plastic and the rest were styrofoam, almost all of which were fishy odors. Glass, paper, cloth contained a small percentage of the waste (3) Investigation of micro rubbers, micro plastics and heavy metals in street dust: a study in Bushehr city, Iran (2017), by Abbasi et al, Environmental Earth Sciences (2017) 76:798: This study aimed to:

• investigate micro rubbers (MRs) for the first time and identify micro plastics (MPs) in street dust,

• determine the physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics and morphology of dust particles,

• understand the concentration and the possible source(s) of heavy metals/metalloids, • identify the chemical speciation and mobility potential of trace metals in urban street

dusts, and • determine adverse health effects of street dust on children and adults living in the city

of Bushehr in southwestern Iran. (4) Microplastics in different tissues of fish and prawn from the Musa Estuary, Persian Gulf (2018), by Abbasi et al, Chemosphere 205 (2018) 80e87 (5) Distribution and potential health impacts of micro plastics and micro rubbers in air and street dusts from Asaluyeh County, Iran (2019), by Abbasi et al, Environmental Pollution 244 (2019) 153e164

(6) Microplastics and potentially toxic elements in coastal sediments of Iran's main oil terminal (Khark Island) (2017), by Akhbarizadeh et al, Environmental Pollution 220 (2017) 720e731: This study investigates the potential risk posed by micro plastics and toxic elements in coastal sediments of Khark Island, the main oil export hub of Iran. Principal component biplots exhibited a significant positive correlation between micro plastic quantities (ranging in shape and color) and concentration of heavy metals with industrial activity. Source identification of the heavy metals indicated both natural and anthropogenic origin. (7) Geochemistry and environmental effects of potentially toxic elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and micro plastics in coastal sediments of the Persian Gulf (2019), by Abbasi et al, Environmental Earth Sciences (2019) 78:492 (8) Investigating a probable relationship between microplastics and potentially toxic elements in fish muscles from northeast of Persian Gulf (2018), by Akhbarizadeh et al, Environmental Pollution 232 (2018) 154e163 (9) Microplastic pollution in deposited urban dust, Tehran metropolis, Iran (2017), Dehghan et al, Environ Sci Pollut Res: The plastic load of 88 to 605 microplastics per 30 g dry dust with a dominance of black and yellow granule microplastics ranging in size from 250 to 500 μm was determined in 10 street dust samples using a binocular microscope. Fluorescence microscopy was found to be ineffective for detecting and counting plastic debris. (10) Neustonic microplastic pollution in the Persian Gulf (2020),Alimehdiani et al, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 150, January 2020: A comprehensive study on microplastics pollution in the surface waters of the Persian Gulf was done for the first time. Some of the results were shown below: •Microplastics were found in all the stations. •Fibers were the most abundance shapes of microplastics. •The most common polymer types in the samples were polyethylene and polypropylene. •The western part of the Persian Gulf polluted more than the eastern part. (11) Monitoring of Hydrocarbon pollution (PAHs, Hopans, n- alkanes) in the Caspian Sea with emphasize on new methodologies (2019). DOE Project Report.

4.Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)

(1) Amount of collected Coastal – based litter

Dredging in Iranian Areas of the Persian Gulf, Oman Sea and Caspian Sea 2002-2011

Note Number of

Permits Issued

Volume

(m3)

Waste

Category

Kind of Port Name of Port Province

Name

NO.

Dumped at

Sea

-------- 3077000 Dredged

Material

Commercial Shahid Rajaei Hormozgan 1

Used in

reclamation

113-S/506/104

(2002/06/05)

315000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Bandar Abbas Hormozgan 2

Used in

reclamation

-------- 365000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Dargahan Hormozgan 3

Used in

reclamation

-------- 360000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Gogsar Hormozgan 4

Used in

reclamation

-------- 210000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Bostaneh Hormozgan 5

Used in

reclamation

-------- 340000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Kang Hormozgan 6

Used in

reclamation

-------- 200000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Javadolaemme Hormozgan 7

Used in

reclamation

-------- 100000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Basaeido Hormozgan 8

Dumped at

Sea

122-9833

(2005/09/26)

13670000 Dredged

Material

Commercial Boushehr Port Boushehr 9

Used in

reclamation

122-8445

(2005/09/06)

160000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Jalali Boushehr 10

Used in

reclamation

-------- 230000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Rostami Boushehr 11

Used in

reclamation

-------- 70000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Boushehr Boushehr 12

Dumped at

Sea

14-S/12996

(2010/10/06)

21783845 Dredged

Material

Commercial -------- Khozestan 13

Used in

reclamation

108/14/12/68

(2001/07/10)

200000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Nahr-e-Ghasr Khozestan 14

Used in

reclamation

98/6072

(2003/01/31)

250000 Dredged

Material

Fishery Zarabad Sistan &

Balouchestan

15

Used in

reclamation

-------- 197650 Dredged

Material

Fishery -------- Sistan &

Balouchestan

16

Used in

reclamation

-------- 400000 Dredged

Material

Fishery kiashahr Gilan 17

(reference)

According to Marpol Convention Environmental Inspection and other activities within port sites, are considered as DOE duties and annual planning and coordination with the help of Ports and Maritime Organization should be carried out. In line with this act, 8 environmental inspections trials were carried out; one of them according to Annex 5 of Marpol Convention is related to Ship Litters Management. At the same time as DOE is the National Focal Point of London Protocol in the country, dredging permits are being issued by DOE.

(2) Amount of collected Sea – based litter Comparative Statistics of Ships inspection and amount of litter for different Iranian Ports from 2010 to 2016

Port name Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Shahid Rajaii

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

348 241 256 ------ 227 248 104 1424

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

716 793 831 1026 1007 1164 106 5625

Bushehr

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

364 178 155 ------ 199 134 49 1079

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

846 691 343 249 230 238 12 2609

Emam Khomeini

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

155 133 132 ------ 92 106 26 644

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

4070 3337 3642 3416 3046 3063 147 20721

Chabahar

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

123 98 98 ------ 48 10 22 399

Litter

received

(No. of

442 276 333 107 133 88 3 1362

collection)

Anzali

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

13 ----- ------ ------

-------

27 18 58

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

2191 1820 1377 831 950 882 83 8134

Noshahr

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

259 203 208 ------ 141 208 12 1031

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

1872 1643 1582 1205 1182 1540 12 9036

Khoramshahr

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

73 109 95 ------ 89 117 39 522

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

55 82 52 178 162 270 6 805

Amirabad&Neka

Ship

inspection

(No. of

ships)

392 3 ------- ------ 53 56 5 509

Litter

received

(No. of

collection)

1143 1125 1169 2198 2077 816 34 8562

(reference)

According to Marpol Convention Environmental Inspection and other activities within port

sites, are considered as DOE duties and annual planning and coordination with the help of Port and Shipping should be carried out. In line with this act, 8 environmental inspections trials were carried out; one of them according to Annex 5 of Marpol Convention is related to Ship Litters Management. (3) Amount of marine litter cleaned up

No of participants and collected marine litter on Caspian Sea Day 2019 in Iran

(reference) Coastal Cleanup: Caspian Sea Day (12 August ) 2019 in IRAN Under the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention), a project is defined to involve all the five Caspian states for providing a better understanding of marine litter in the Caspian Sea region on the national and regional level as well as to enable the sharing of best practices and information. The project is funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Global Water Challenge. Selected coastal cities of Iran: - Golestan : Bandar Turkman - Mazandaran : Neka, Jouibar, babolsar, Mahmoudabad, Noshahr, Salmanshahr, Tonekabon - Gilan : Kalachay, Lahijan, Bandar Kiashahr, Rasht, Bandar Anzali, Talesh and Astara. The simultaneous activity in the above cities started by the DOE of Iran. 6 Top Items Collected during Caspian Cleanup Activity 2019 in Iran as follows:

§ cigarette butts, § plastic bottles, § glass beverage bottles, § plastic shopping bags, § tires and § abandoned fishing gears/ropes/nets

Note: Relevant indicators, data or other numerical information can be included at the discretion of each country, for example: (1) the amount of waste

generated, reused, collected, recycled, and properly disposed of; (2) the amount of marine litter cleaned up; (3) the scale of use of innovative technologies

and materials including R&D investment; (4) the scale and/or effect of assistance for countries that need technical capacity development including the

increased amount of waste properly disposed of. (encouraged to indicate the proportion/elements of plastics and/or microplastics, if available) 5.Best practices: （Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures described in section 3, in detail） 1. Project: Addressing Marine litter in the Caspian Sea region. Establishment of the regional network on marine litter The project focuses on the following issues:

• The initial establishment of a regional network on marine litter consisting of five national networks.

• Creating an opportunity for the members of the network to participate in the training courses provided by the relevant international organizations in the field of marine litter.

• Leading a massive coastal clean-up campaign at the 2019 Caspian Sea Day using the regional network and

• Providing assistance and support to the preparation of a Caspian Sea Action Plan on marine litter.

Project outputs and activities:

• Establishment of a regional network on marine litter • Ensuring the participation of network members in trainings • Involvement of the members of the Network to participate in a massive coastal clean-up

campaign at the 2019 Caspian Sea

2. Neustonic microplastic pollution in the Persian Gulf (2020),Alimehdiani et al, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 150, January 2020: A comprehensive study on microplastics pollution in the surface waters of the Persian Gulf was done for the first time. Some of the results were shown below: •Microplastics were found in all the stations. •Fibers were the most abundance shapes of microplastics. •The most common polymer types in the samples were polyethylene and polypropylene. •The western part of the Persian Gulf polluted more than the eastern part. 3. Actions taken to reduce the usage of plastic material and replacement by environmental friendly material: Replacement of plastic bags with other environmental friendly products in product centers. Also, support industries that produce recyclable disposable envelopes and containers, and using the potential of women for making textile bags.

6. Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and address of related website, name of published

reports and materials)

1. Urban Waste Management Project of Khuzestan Province of Iran (Persian Gulf Area). The report contains management of waste material of almost all Khuzestan cities, organized in 4 chapters; The language of the report is Farsi. 2- Implementation of Waste Management workshops in relation to Marine Environment and Wetlands. The workshops are organized for all Provinces adjacent to the Sea and Wetlands. The workshops have already been initiated.

7.Contact details: (Please specify name and email address) Zahra Alavian (Mrs) Email: Z_alavian@yahoo.com