Five Misperceptions Surrounding the Environmental Impacts of Single-Use Plastic

The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty

The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential "pillars" necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.

Advances in microbial exoenzymes bioengineering for improvement of bioplastics degradation

Plastic pollution has become a major global concern, posing numerous challenges for the environment and wildlife. Most conventional ways of plastics degradation are inefficient and cause great damage to ecosystems. The development of biodegradable plastics offers a promising solution for waste management. These plastics are designed to break down under various conditions, opening up new possibilities to mitigate the negative impact of traditional plastics. Microbes, including bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in the degradation of bioplastics by producing and secreting extracellular enzymes, such as cutinase, lipases, and proteases. However, these microbial enzymes are sensitive to extreme environmental conditions, such as temperature and acidity, affecting their functions and stability. To address these challenges, scientists have employed protein engineering and immobilization techniques to enhance enzyme stability and predict protein structures. Strategies such as improving enzyme and substrate interaction, increasing enzyme thermostability, reinforcing the bonding between the active site of the enzyme and substrate, and refining enzyme activity are being utilized to boost enzyme immobilization and functionality. Recently, bioengineering through gene cloning and expression in potential microorganisms, has revolutionized the biodegradation of bioplastics. This review aimed to discuss the most recent protein engineering strategies for modifying bioplastic-degrading enzymes in terms of stability and functionality, including enzyme thermostability enhancement, reinforcing the substrate binding to the enzyme active site, refining with other enzymes, and improvement of enzyme surface and substrate action. Additionally, discovered bioplastic-degrading exoenzymes by metagenomics techniques were emphasized.

Designing a circular carbon and plastics economy for a sustainable future

The linear production and consumption of plastics today is unsustainable. It creates large amounts of unnecessary and mismanaged waste, pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, undermining global climate targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. This Perspective provides an integrated technological, economic and legal view on how to deliver a circular carbon and plastics economy that minimizes carbon dioxide emissions. Different pathways that maximize recirculation of carbon (dioxide) between plastics waste and feedstocks are outlined, including mechanical, chemical and biological recycling, and those involving the use of biomass and carbon dioxide. Four future scenarios are described, only one of which achieves sufficient greenhouse gas savings in line with global climate targets. Such a bold system change requires 50% reduction in future plastic demand, complete phase-out of fossil-derived plastics, 95% recycling rates of retrievable plastics and use of renewable energy. It is hard to overstate the challenge of achieving this goal. We therefore present a roadmap outlining the scale and timing of the economic and legal interventions that could possibly support this. Assessing the service lifespan and recoverability of plastic products, along with considerations of sufficiency and smart design, can moreover provide design principles to guide future manufacturing, use and disposal of plastics.

The degradation of single-use plastics and commercially viable bioplastics in the environment: A review

Plastics have become an integral part of human life. Single-use plastics (SUPs) are disposable plastics designed to be used once then promptly discarded or recycled. This SUPs range from packaging and takeaway containers to disposable razors and hotel toiletries. Synthetic plastics, which are made of non-renewable petroleum and natural gas resources, require decades to perpetually disintegrate in nature thus contribute to plastic pollution worldwide, especially in marine environments. In response to these problems, bioplastics or bio-based and biodegradable polymers from renewable sources has been considered as an alternative. Understanding the mechanisms behind the degradation of conventional SUPs and biodegradability of their greener counterpart, bioplastics, is crucial for appropriate material selection in the future. This review aims to provide insights into the degradation or disintegration of conventional single-use plastics and the biodegradability of the different types of greener-counterparts, bioplastics, their mechanisms, and conditions. This review highlights on the biodegradation in the environments including composting systems. Here, the various types of alternative biodegradable polymers, such as bacterially biosynthesised bioplastics, natural fibre-reinforced plastics, starch-, cellulose-, lignin-, and soy-based polymers were explored. Review of past literature revealed that although bioplastics are relatively eco-friendly, their natural compositions and properties are inconsistent. Furthermore, the global plastic market for biodegradable plastics remains relatively small and require further research and commercialization efforts, especially considering the urgency of plastic and microplastic pollution as currently critical global issue. Biodegradable plastics have potential to replace conventional plastics as they show biodegradation ability under real environments, and thus intensive research on the various biodegradable plastics is needed to inform stakeholders and policy makers on the appropriate response to the gradually emerging biodegradable plastics.

Public attitudes toward the whole life cycle management of plastics: A text-mining study in China

Plastic pollution control, involving the whole life cycle management of plastic production, consumption, sorting, recycling, and disposal, has become necessary for global sustainable development. Research on public attitudes is vital to understanding whether plastic pollution control policies are being successfully implemented and the degree to which the public is involved. However, few studies have assessed public attitudes toward plastic pollution control from the whole life cycle perspective, especially using big data. Based on China's whole life cycle management policy of plastics, this study collected more than 200,000 relevant comments and user information from Sina Weibo to analyze and evaluate public attitudes and opinions toward plastic pollution control. Spatial-temporal analysis was conducted to discover the regional and temporal differences in public attention. Using a sentiment classification method based on semantic analysis, the emotional tendencies of the public attitudes toward ten subdivided plastic pollution control links were studied. It was found that more people held a positive attitude and paid more attention to reusing and sorting links, while the negative emotions were concentrated on the collection and sorting links. Using a topic modeling method, the negative opinions in various links were revealed, such as lack of supervision and industry standards; over packaging or insufficient packaging; food safety problems caused by the reuse; high costs, poor use and possibly greater waste of substitutes; unclear sorting rules and insufficient supporting measures. Graph theory was applied to display these opinions. Finally, some policy implications derived from the discussions are given.

Is a Plastic-Free Mauritius Island Achievable by 2030? Opportunities and Challenges

A world without plastics seems inconceivable today. Global plastic production and utilization have reached amazing figures in the last four decades. The widespread use of plastics has been attributed to the various useful properties, plastics offer as a material. Plastics are durable, hence persist into the environment for long periods of time before undergoing degradation or fragmenting into microplastics or nano-plastics. Moreover, with trans-boundary movement of plastic wastes, plastic pollution knows no frontier and thus is recognized as one of the most dreadful global challenges, in the Anthropocene era. Countries around the globe are implementing varying policy measures coupled with economic instruments to beat plastic pollution. Likewise, Mauritius, a small island developing state in the Indian Ocean, is not spared from the detrimental impacts of plastic pollution. Ad hoc actions to deal with plastic pollution have unfortunately not yielded the expected results. The Government of Mauritius has recently set its target to make Mauritius a plastic-free island by 2030. To attain this goal, a roadmap is underway. The objectives of this paper are to undertake a situational analysis of the overall process thereby investigating the causes for failures of past measures and to determine whether the challenge of a plastic-free Mauritius could be met. Our analysis revealed that under prevailing conditions, the target would not be met. The paper therefore discusses some enabling factors that need to be incorporated in the roadmap, to successfully achieve the set target.

Key issues for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics governance

Among global efforts facing plastic pollution, their gradual replacement with alternative materials has gained strength during the last decade. We identified five stakeholders and their respective key participation in the chain of bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics (BBCP), which have contributed to several flaws on governance of these materials. The widespread unfamiliarity of the consumers about biodegradability concepts has been leading to misguided purchase decisions and disposal practices, along with possible littering behavior. Simultaneously, the adoption of greenwashing practices by stores and manufacturers contribute to disseminating misguided decisions on plastic consumption. Such issues are further aggravated by the lack of certification standards concerning the impact of littering, including the assessment of persistency and toxicity, also covering those made with biodegradable plastics.". Moreover, even though such alternative polymers were originally conceived as a strategy to minimize plastics pollution, the almost inexistence of specific regulatory frameworks in different political scales may convert them in a relevant part of the problem. Therefore, the governance systems and management strategies need to incorporate BBCP as potentially hazardous waste as they do for conventional plastics.

Biowastes for biodegradable bioplastics production and end-of-life scenarios in circular bioeconomy and biorefinery concept

Due to global urbanization, industrialization, and economic development, biowastes generation represents negative consequences on the environment and human health. The use of generated biowastes as a feedstock for biodegradable bioplastic production has opened a new avenue for environmental sustainability from the circular (bio)economy standpoint. Biodegradable bioplastic production can contribute to the sustainability pillars (environmental, economic, and social). Furthermore, bioenergy, biomass, and biopolymers production after recycling of biodegradable bioplastic can help to maintain the energy-environment balance. Several types of biodegradable bioplastic, such as starch-based, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate, can achieve this aim. In this review, an overview of the main biowastes valorization routes and the main biodegradable bioplastic types of production, application, and biodegradability are discussed to achieve the transition to the circular economy. Additionally, end-of-life scenarios (up-cycle and down-cycle) are reviewed to attain the maximum environmental, social, and economic benefit from biodegradable bioplastic products under biorefinery concept.

A pandemic-induced environmental dilemma of disposable masks: solutions from the perspective of the life cycle

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept the world and still afflicts humans. As an effective means of protection, wearing masks has been widely adopted by the general public. The massive use of disposable masks has raised some emerging environmental and bio-safety concerns: improper handling of used masks may transfer the attached pathogens to environmental media; disposable masks mainly consist of polypropylene (PP) fibers which may aggravate the global plastic pollution; and the risks of long-term wearing of masks are elusive. To maximize the utilization and minimize the risks, efforts have been made to improve the performance of masks (e.g., antivirus properties and filtration efficiency), extend their functions (e.g., respiration monitoring and acting as a sampling device), develop new disinfection methods, and recycle masks. Despite that, from the perspective of the life cycle (from production, usage, and discard to disposal), comprehensive solutions are urgently needed to solve the environmental dilemma of disposable masks in both technologies (e.g., efficient use of raw materials, prolonging the service life, and enabling biodegradation) and policies (e.g., stricter industry criteria and garbage sorting).

Sustainability of Synthetic Plastics: Considerations in Materials Life-Cycle Management

The sustainability of current and future plastic materials is a major focus of basic research, industry, government, and society at large. There is a general recognition of the positive impacts of plastics, especially packaging; however, the negative consequences around end-of-life outcomes and overall materials circularity are issues that must be addressed. In this perspective, we highlight some of the challenges associated with the many uses of plastic components and the diversity of materials needed to satisfy consumer demand, with several examples focused on plastics packaging. We also discuss the opportunities provided by conventional and advanced recycling/upgrading routes to petrochemical and bio-based materials and feedstocks, along with overviews of chemistry-related (experimental, computational, data science, and materials traceability) approaches to the valorization of polymers toward a closed-loop environment.

Bioplastics for a circular economy

Bioplastics - typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers - stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy, in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Carbon-neutral energy is used for production and products are reused or recycled at their end of life (EOL). In this Review, we assess the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy. Compared with fossil-based plastics, bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint and exhibit advantageous materials properties; moreover, they can be compatible with existing recycling streams and some offer biodegradation as an EOL scenario if performed in controlled or predictable environments. However, these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the 'upcycling' of increasing volumes of heterogeneous plastic and bioplastic waste into higher-quality materials. To guide converters and consumers in their purchasing choices, existing (bio)plastic identification standards and life cycle assessment guidelines need revision and homogenization. Furthermore, clear regulation and financial incentives remain essential to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with truly sustainable impact.

Plastic pollution: When do we know enough?

Plastic pollution is one of today's great environmental challenges. Research addressing the issue of plastic pollution is growing, improving our predictions of risk, and informing the development of long-term solutions and mitigations. Nonetheless, sufficient evidence already exists to show that immediate and widespread action must be taken to reduce plastic release to the environment, and thus limit future harm. Given the cross-sector and multi-stakeholder approach that will be required to address plastic pollution, it is essential that contrasting opinions and misconceptions are tackled with respect to the status of knowledge, relative importance of plastics as an environmental stressor, and measures to reduce or mitigate harm from plastics in the environment. This perspective article lays out some key considerations and recommendations for moving forward with respect to both research and action.

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT RESPONSES TO REGULATION—SUP-DIRECTIVE AND REPLACING PLASTIC

Changes in regulation trigger changes in the innovation environments. They may block specific development trajectories, but they may simultaneously inspire and stimulate completely new openings. In this study, we look into regulation that aims to address environmental problems and facilitate creation and diffusion of sustainable technologies and processes as we examine the responses of innovators to the regulation on plastic use and production—specifically, the so-called SUP-directive. A multiple-case study comprising six companies suggests that companies manage (with) the regulation-induced innovation and needs for change by adopting three distinctive strategies: (1) proactive change orientation, (2) reactive opportunity capturing, or (3) reactive survival mode. Acknowledging that sustainability-oriented regulation may push companies with environmentally friendly innovation activities and solutions towards reactive survival mode highlights the need for managerial agility in adjusting the solutions and the ability to adopt parallel innovation strategies. Observing the strategies adopted by innovators also is informative when evaluating whether the regulation meets its profound goals and intended effects.

Plastic and its consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, the important role of plastic becomes evident since vital equipment such as respirators have plastic parts, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), which avoids the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is made of plastic. So, plastic during a pandemic is considered a life savior in the struggle against the virus. However, the same material that is a protector becomes a polluter when inadequately disposed of in the environment, generating or worsening socio-environmental problems, such as pollution of water bodies by plastic. This work proposes a reflection about the role and the importance of plastic in our society, bringing an overview of its main applications and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic, correlating its use with aspects related to environmental problems and public health. Some questions revolving around the concerns caused by plastic pollution are posed, and some possible solutions to the problems are outlined.

Plastic and its consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, the important role of plastic becomes evident since vital equipment such as respirators have plastic parts, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), which avoids the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is made of plastic. So, plastic during a pandemic is considered a life savior in the struggle against the virus. However, the same material that is a protector becomes a polluter when inadequately disposed of in the environment, generating or worsening socio-environmental problems, such as pollution of water bodies by plastic. This work proposes a reflection about the role and the importance of plastic in our society, bringing an overview of its main applications and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic, correlating its use with aspects related to environmental problems and public health. Some questions revolving around the concerns caused by plastic pollution are posed, and some possible solutions to the problems are outlined.

A comprehensive review on assessment of plastic debris in aquatic environment and its prevalence in fishes and other aquatic animals in India

The presence of meso, macro, and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised concerns due to their potential risks to aquatic as well as human life. Though plastics are considered to be inert in nature, MPs with toxic additives and accumulated contaminants have harmful ecological effects. Reports of absorption of MPs by internal tissues and toxicity in vital organs such as lung cells, liver, and brain cells have proved its serious health hazards. The study of plastic debris in the aquatic environment deserves special attention due to its ecotoxicological impact. This review presents a detailed account of the assessment of plastic debris in marine as well as freshwater environments. The formation of MPs and their sources, sampling, isolation, identification and characterization methods adopted, and the prevalence of MPs in aquatic life are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, the present article is a first-ever comprehensive review covering the entire of India. Our review finds that, so far, very few studies have been carried out, and there is a paucity of information, especially on the prevalence of plastic debris in the freshwater environment, fish, and other aquatic animals in India. While major studies have been done at various coastal locations in the southern part of India and a few studies in the rest of India, south-eastern states remain neglected. Toxicological studies on various life forms, including humans, are lacking. The present review also fills the gap in our knowledge of the various locations studied across India and can guide future research.

Toward polymer upcycling-adding value and tackling circularity

Plastics have revolutionized modern life, but have created a global waste crisis driven by our reliance and demand for low-cost, disposable materials. New approaches are vital to address challenges related to plastics waste heterogeneity, along with the property reductions induced by mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling and upcycling of polymers may enable circularity through separation strategies, chemistries that promote closed-loop recycling inherent to macromolecular design, and transformative processes that shift the life-cycle landscape. Polymer upcycling schemes may enable lower-energy pathways and minimal environmental impacts compared with traditional mechanical and chemical recycling. The emergence of industrial adoption of recycling and upcycling approaches is encouraging, solidifying the critical role for these strategies in addressing the fate of plastics and driving advances in next-generation materials design.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Redefining Sustainable Polymers

Although Staudinger realized makromoleküles had enormous potential, he likely did not anticipate the consequences of their universal adoption. With 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste now contaminating our land, water, and air, we are facing an environmental and public health crisis. Synthetic polymer chemists can help create a more sustainable future, but are we on the right path to do so? Herein, a comprehensive literature survey reveals that there has been an increased focus on "sustainable polymers" in recent years, but most papers focus on biomass-derived feedstocks. In contrast, there is less focus on polymer end-of-life fates. Moving forward, we suggest an increased emphasis on chemical recycling, which sees value in plastic waste and promotes a closed-loop plastic economy. To help keep us on the path to sustainability, the synthetic polymer community should routinely seek the systems perspective offered by life cycle assessment.