Since 1950, the production of plastic has mushroomed exponentially, with c.9.2 billion tonnes estimated to have been made. Approximately 8 million to 11 million tonnes of plastic waste are disposed of in the ocean each year. Plastic is used in the packaging industry to the tune of 47%. The problem of plastic can be solved through recycling and a circular economy, for example, through Extended Producer Responsibility programs andThere is more plastic in circulation.circulation keeps growing. In order to manage waste, integrate international collaboration, and reduce waste at its source, technologies and designs must be developed. Limiting and controlling plastic pollution requires a legally binding global governance arrangement.
The paper studies the microplastic abundances and characteristics in the Southern Jiangsu Canal to reveal the effect of riverside cities on microplastics in river water. The results show that the microplastic abundance in the water body of the South Jiangsu Canal ranges from 3.41 to 19.07 particles L−1, with an average of 9.59 ± 3.95[…]
This paper reveals the status of microplastic pollution in paddy soil with long-term mulching. The study investigates the distribution and weathering characteristics of filmy microplastics in a mulched paddy field (non-mulched, four years of mulched, and ten years of continuous mulched soil were investigated) in Southwest China. The filmy microplastics accumulated annually in the plough[…]
The paper reviews advancements in polymer technologies that aim to improve the efficiency of recycling and upcycling plastic waste. Increasing the rate of recycling and upcycling is critical for addressing the issues caused by plastic pollution, and, at the same time, overcoming the technical limitations on the same. The research emphasises the need to develop[…]
The study analyses the current advancements in the behavioural differences between MPs and NPs in urban waters. Analytical challenges, fate, interactions with surrounding pollutants, and eco-impacts of MPs and NPs are similarly discussed in this paper. It has been highlighted in the study that the characterization and fate studies of NPs are more challenging as[…]
The study investigates scientifically evidence-based policy initiatives for targeting plastic pollution. The issue of plastic pollution is complex and still related to several uncertainties, which implies that policy initiatives must allow for flexibility and ongoing evaluations to adjust to the evolving knowledge generation. It is also important that the scientific community provide the needed research[…]