Common Plastic Research Articles

Bisphenol A affects the development and the onset of photosymbiosis in the acoel Symsagittiferaroscoffensis

Photosymbiosis indicates a long-term association between animals and photosynthetic organisms. It has been mainly investigated in photosymbiotic cnidarians, while other photosymbiotic associations have been largely neglected. The acoel Symsagittifera roscoffensis lives in obligatory symbiosis with the microalgal Tetraselmis convolutae and has recently emerged as alternative model to study photosymbiosis. Here, we investigated the effects of Bisphenol A, a common plastic additive, on two pivotal stages of its lifecycle: aposymbiotic juvenile development and photosymbiogenesis. Based on our results, this pollutant altered the development of the worms and their capacity to engulf algae from the environment at concentrations higher than the levels detected in seawater, yet aligning with those documented in sediments of populated areas. Data provide novel information about the effects of pollutants on photosymbiotic associations and prompt the necessity to monitor their concentrations in marine environmental matrices.

Microplastic Analysis in Soil Using Ultra-High-Resolution UV–Vis–NIR Spectroscopy and Chemometric Modeling

The study of microplastics (MPs) in soils is impeded by similarities between plastic and non-plastic particles and the misidentification of MP by current analytical methods such as visual microscopic examination. Soil MPs pose serious ecological and public health risks because of their abundance, persistence, and ubiquity. Thus, reliable identification methods are badly needed for scientific study. One possible solution is UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, which has the ability to rapidly identify and quantify concentrations of soil microplastics. In this study, a full-range, field portable spectrometer (350–2500 nm) with ultra-high spectral resolution (1.5 nm, 3.0 nm, and 3.8 nm) identified three types of common plastics: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP). Three sets of artificially MP-treated vermiculite soil samples were prepared for model prediction testing and validation: 150 samples for model calibration and 50 samples for model validation. A partial least square regression model using the spectral signatures for quantification of soil and MP mixtures was built with all three plastic polymers. Prediction R2 values of all three polymers showed promising results: polypropylene R2 = 0.943, polyvinyl chloride R2 = 0.983, and polyethylene R2 = 0.957. Our study supports previous work showing that combining ultra-high-resolution UV–Vis–NIR spectrometry with quantitative modeling can improve the accuracy and speed of MP identification and quantification in soil.

Quasi-in-situ observing unusual grain orientation rotation during the process of static recrystallization grain growth in Mg–Zn-Gd alloy

The orientation (including the c axis orientation and crystal direction parallel to rolling direction) evolution of grown recrystallization grains during annealing at 250 °C for 45–180 min in Mg–Zn-Gd alloy was characterized by quasi-in-situ electron backscatter diffraction method. An unusual grain orientation rotation during the process of static recrystallization grain growth, rather than common plastic deformation or recrystallization nucleation process, was observed. Due to the higher storage energy, the growth size in the early stage of annealing (1.41 μm) is larger than that in the late stage of annealing (0.73 μm) for most (∼76%) grains, and corresponding average c-axis rotation angles are 3.65° and 1.39°, respectively, indicating that the larger the increase in grain size, the greater the changing degree in grain orientation. It is speculated that the orientation rotation during grain growth process is mediated by the interaction between dislocations and grain boundaries. The results reported in the current paper can provide a new insight into the study on the relationship between preferential grain growth and non-basal texture formation in rare earth contained Mg alloys.

Limited exposure of captive Australian marsupials to plastics

The global concern regarding the ubiquitous presence of plastics in the environment has led to intensified research on the impact of these materials on wildlife. In the Australian context, marsupials represent a unique and diverse group of mammals, yet little is known about their exposures to plastics. This study aimed to assess the contamination levels of seven common plastics (i.e., polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) in both the diet and faeces of kangaroos, wallabies and koalas sampled from a sanctuary in Northeastern Australia. Quantitative analysis was performed by pressurized liquid extraction followed by double-shot microfurnace pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Interestingly, the analysis of the food and faeces samples revealed the absence of detectable plastic particles; with this preliminary finding suggesting a relatively limited exposure of captive Australian marsupials to plastics. This study contributes valuable insights into the current state of plastic contamination in Australian marsupials, shedding light on the limited exposures and potential risks, and highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts. The results underscore the importance of proactive measures to mitigate plastic pollution and protect vulnerable wildlife populations in Australia's unique ecosystems.

Optimizing the ratio of coomassie and methylene blue dyes for a cost-effective and rapid staining of PET, PVC, PP, PS, LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE

The ubiquitous presence of plastic brought on by the extensive use of plastic products calls for efficient and rapid plastic detection methods to detect and evaluate pollution. The commonly used Nile red dye takes many hours and is expensive while also not equally efficient across all the common plastic waste. To address this, we investigated the staining efficiency and optimized the ratio of a combined Coomassie brilliant blue and Methylene blue dye. In the optimisation process, Methanol-based Coomassie and Methylene blue dyes effectively stained the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastics without compromising the plastic's integrity. Image analysis showed a generally better staining efficacy compared to Nile red. Through systematic experimentation, we identified specific optimal ratios of Coomassie (C) brilliant blue: Methylene (M) blue for various plastics: 5:5 (mass) for PVC, 7:3 (mass) for PET, and 8:2 (mass) for PP, LDPE, and HDPE. Additionally, the ratio of 10:0 (mass) was found suitable for PS and LLDPE. Given the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and accessibility of the blue dyes in labs, the optimized ratio of the blue dyes makes it suitable for large-scale plastic staining across the six tested types of plastic, replacing Nile red.

Polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics cause oxidative stress induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a common plastic widely used in food and beverage packaging that poses a serious risk to human health and the environment due to the continual rise in its production and usage. After being produced and used, PET accumulates in the environment and breaks down into nanoplastics (NPs), which are then consumed by humans through water and food sources. The threats to human health and the environment posed by PET-NPs are of great concern worldwide, yet little is known about their biological impacts. Herein, the smallest sized PET-NPs so far (56 nm) with an unperturbed PET structure were produced by a modified dilution-precipitation method and their potential cytotoxicity was evaluated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Exposure to PET-NPs decreased cell viability due to oxidative stress induction revealed by the increased expression levels of stress response related-genes as well as increased lipid peroxidation. Cell death induced by PET-NP exposure was mainly through apoptosis, while autophagy had a protective role.

SMART DEVICE FOR PET RECYCLING

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a common plastic substance used to make water bottles, carbonated drinks, juices and others. PET is durable and easy to transport, but can be difficult to degrade in nature. If not recycled, PET can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, polluting the sea and other environmental areas. The work presents the creation of an smart device, which can easily, with low costs, be transformed in laboratory conditions, respecting the steps of the industrial technological process, of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into recycled PET. The final goal is to research the mechanical characteristics of recycled PET. The method used is Computer Assisted Thermoplastic Extrusion, the main parameters of the entire technological process being permanently monitored. The results of mechanical and thermal tests were demonstrated that recycled PET can be transformed into filament for 3D printing of finished products that have properties similar to those obtained industrially.

The Effect of Cannula Drain in Reducing Edema and Ecchymosis after Rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries and is commonly associated with postoperative edema, ecchymosis, and pain which play a role in patients' dissatisfaction. In this randomized comparative study, we discuss the effect of cannula drainage in the reduction of postoperative periorbital edema, ecchymosis, pain, and nasal obstruction after open structural septorhinoplasty. The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center from April to November 2022. We performed internal lateral osteotomy on all patients using the lateral saw and aided by lateral osteotome. At the end of the procedure, a cannula drain is prepared and inserted in the subperiosteal tunnel on the left side only. Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days for periorbital edema, ecchymosis, pain, and nasal obstruction, and each side is scored separately. A total of 40 patients (80 sides in total) were recruited, 22 females (55%) and 18 males (45%), all of whom were adults (18-44 years old; mean age 29 years). The most frequent age group is those younger than 20 years representing 35% of the sample and the males forming 33.3%. The reduction in edema and pain was statistically significant in the drained sides (p = 0.000) during all the postoperative days. On the other hand, ecchymosis was lower on the drained side but statistically insignificant (p = > 0.29). Nasal obstruction was reduced significantly only on the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.000). The postoperative morbidities associated with rhinoplasty could have important functional and psychological effects on patients. This study demonstrates that inserting a cannula in the subperiosteal tunnel for drainage in rhinoplasty yields a significant clinical and statistical decrease in postoperative periorbital edema and pain with little effect on ecchymosis and nasal obstruction.

Differentiation of bacterial communities on five common plastics after six days of exposure to Caribbean coastal waters

Plastic pollution in coastal areas, particularly in subtropical and tropical regions, remains a pervasive environmental issue. Marine plastic debris provides an artificial surface that rapidly accumulates a dynamic microbial biofilm upon entering the marine ecosystem. Especially the early stages of colonization are critical in shaping the microbial community. This study investigates the early microbial colonization, in less than a week, on five different plastic polymers in Caribbean coastal waters through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We discovered shared bacterial taxa among the various plastic polymers and sampling timepoints, with dominant orders being Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacterales, Rhizobiales, and Pseudomonadales. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in community composition between the two sampling points, with polystyrene exhibiting a distinct microbial community on day 6 compared to polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. We found the same for polyethylene compared to nylon and polyethylene-terephthalate. Further examination identified 47 genera responsible for these differences, primarily belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Our data indicate an influence of both environmentally related stochastic processes and plastic-related specific factors during early colonization. Interestingly, we noticed an increase in the relative abundance of hydrocarbon and potentially plastic-degrading bacteria (PDB) from 12.4 to 34.5 % between the first and sixth day, suggesting their vital role in shaping the epiplastic community. Notably, some identified PDB have been reported to degrade the specific polymers studied, thus the monitored increase in relative abundance supports their role in plastic degradation. However, more research is required to fully understand their functioning and potential role in the epiplastic community. Our study provides insights into the prokaryotic colonization of marine plastics in the Caribbean basin, where to date studies have been limited despite high pollution rates.

Assessing biologic/toxicologic effects of extractables from plastic contact materials for advanced therapy manufacturing using cell painting assay and cytotoxicity screening

Plastic components are essential in the pharmaceutical industry, encompassing container closure systems, laboratory handling equipment, and single-use systems. As part of their material qualification process, studies on interactions between plastic contact materials and process solutions or drug products are conducted. The assessment of single-use systems includes their potential impact on patient safety, product quality, and process performance. This is particularly crucial in cell and gene therapy applications since interactions with the plastic contact material may result in an adverse effect on the isolated therapeutic human cells. We utilized the cell painting assay (CPA), a non-targeted method, for profiling the morphological characteristics of U2OS human osteosarcoma cells in contact with chemicals related to plastic contact materials. Specifically, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 45 common plastic extractables, and two extracts from single-use systems. Results of the CPA are compared with a standard cytotoxicity assay, an osteogenesis differentiation assay, and in silico toxicity predictions. The findings of this feasibility study demonstrate that the device extracts and most of the tested compounds do not evoke any measurable biological changes on the cells (induction ≤ 5%) among the 579 cell features measured at concentrations ≤ 50 µM. CPA can serve as an important assay to reveal unique information not accessible through quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis and vice versa. The results highlight the need for a combination of in vitro and in silico methods in a comprehensive assessment of single-use equipment utilized in advanced therapy medicinal products manufacturing.

Susceptibility of flexible plastic foodstuffs packaging against Monomorium indicum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) household ants.

Ants belonging to the Monomorium indicum (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) species are ubiquitous insects that are commonly associated with household settings in Pakistan. Packaged foodstuffs are easily destroyed by household ants when packaging is made with materials that have a high susceptibility. This study evaluated the susceptibility of three common flexible plastic packaging materials namely: opaque polyethylene, transparent polyethylene and polypropylene, which were each tested at thicknesses of 0.02 mm for their susceptibility against M. indicum. Except opaque polyethylene which is only available at 0.02 mm thickness, both transparent polyethylene and polypropylene were tested at higher thickness of 0.04 mm and 0.06 mm also against M. indicum. In order to simulate household settings, experiments were conducted at the faculty building of the agriculture and environment department of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan during summer vacations when the building was quiet. Different corners were selected near water sources for maximum exposure to the largest number of ants. Experimental cages used for the experiment were built with wood and 2 mm iron gauze to allow only ants to enter the cages. Daily activity of ants was used as an infestation source in cages. Experiments were run over three time spans of fifteen days each from June 20th 2022 to August 15th 2022. Results showed all packaging materials were susceptible against M. indicum at the 0.02 mm thickness level. Polypropylene was susceptible at 0.04 mm thickness but resistant to ants at 0.06 mm thickness, whereas polyethylene was still susceptible to ants at the higher thickness of 0.06 mm. Correlation of packaging damage with weather factors showed that temperature had a positive relationship, while relative humidity had a negative association with M. indicum attack. Overall correlation of packaging damage with packaging thickness showed packaging thickness was negatively associated with packaging damage from the ants. Because major cutting role is performed by the mandibles, we studied mandibles of ants and three frequent pests of packaged foodstuff namely Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma granarium. The results showed that ants had the largest mandible and frontal mandibular tooth lengths compared with the mandibles and frontal teeth of the common stored product pests, indicating M. indicum household ants have a higher pest status for packaged foodstuffs compared to common stored product pests. Although the thickness of the flexible plastic packaging was a major factor against household ants, the study results recommend the use of polypropylene with a thickness of at least 0.06 mm as foodstuff packaging against household ants compared with polyethylene packaging, which was found to be susceptible to ants even at 0.06 mm thickness.

Implementing a Doping Approach for Poly(methyl methacrylate) Recycling in a Circular Economy.

To mitigate pollution by plastic waste, it is paramount to develop polymers with efficient recyclability while retaining desirable physical properties. A recyclable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is synthesized by incorporating a minimal amount of an α-methylstyrene (AMS) analogue into the polymer structure. This P(MMA-co-AMS) copolymer preserves the essential mechanical strength and optical clarity of PMMA, vital for its wide-ranging applications in various commercial and high-tech industries. Doping with AMS significantly enhances the thermal, catalyst-free depolymerization efficiency of PMMA, facilitating the recovery of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with high yield and purity at temperatures ranging from 150 to 210 °C, nearly 250 K lower than current industrial standards. Furthermore, the low recovery temperature permits the isolation of pure MMA from a mixture of assorted common plastics.

Towards a use of waste polyethylene in asphalt mixture as a compaction aid

As one of the most common plastic wastes in the world, polyethylene (PE) has been recycled and utilized to improve the performance of asphalt pavement, enabling it to withstand these conditions. Previous studies on the use of waste plastics as part of mix design have shown mixed results. On the other hand, adequate compaction has been essential to asphalt pavement performance and agencies/contractors strive to improve compactability of asphalt mixture. This study investigated the incorporation of waste PE with different sizes into asphalt mixtures in accordance with modified dry process as a compaction aid to facilitate compaction. The results show that the asphalt mixture modified by waste PE improves compactability and reduces the rut depth, with cracking performance being dependent on the size and type of the waste PE. The use of shredded waste PE flakes was observed to enhance the cracking performance of asphalt mixtures at intermediate temperatures, as evidenced by an increased CT-index. This improvement indicates that the use of PE flakes could potentially serve as a promising solution for achieving good compaction of asphalt mixture and thus extending pavement life, as well as enabling large-quantity use of waste plastics.

Introducing graphene quantum dots in decomposable wheat starch-gelatin based nano-biofilms

This research aims to discover a viable substitute for the common harmful plastic packaging utilized in food products. Citric acid was employed as an accessible and risk-free precursor in synthesizing graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Using the efficient carbonization technique, GQDs were obtained and subsequently transferred to nano-biofilms in varying percentages relative to natural polymers. FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, and AFM analyses were conducted to examine the formation of the nano-biofilms. GQDs demonstrated optimal performance in the disk diffusion method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical approach. Adding GQDs to starch and gelatin composite improved the physical properties of nano-biofilms such as moisture contact, swelling index, and solubility. The transparency of the films was reduced by GQDs, which reduces the transmission of visible light and plays an important role in food protection. The packaging films' weight loss due to decomposition was examined after being buried in soil for 50 days, which relieved the eco-concerns of these packaging films. To evaluate the performance of the films in inhibiting food spoilage, cherries, and cucumbers were packed with a control film and the fabricated film containing 14 wt% of GQD. After 14 days, the modified nano-biofilm was able to maintain the freshness of the samples.

Impact of Microplastic on Freshwater Sediment Biogeochemistry and Microbial Communities Is Polymer Specific

Plastic debris is a growing threat in freshwater ecosystems and transport models predict that many plastics will sink to the benthos. Among the most common plastics found in the Laurentian Great Lakes sediments are polyethylene terephthalate (especially fibers; PET), polyvinylchloride (particles; PVC), and styrene-butadiene rubber resulting from tire wear (“crumb rubber”; SBR). These materials vary substantially in physical and chemical properties, and their impacts on benthic biogeochemistry and microbial community structure and function are largely unknown. We used a microcosm approach to evaluate the impact of these three plastics on benthic-pelagic coupling, sediment properties, and sediment microbial community structure and function using sediments from Irondequoit Bay, a major embayment of Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, USA. Benthic metabolism and nitrogen and phosphorous cycling were all uniquely impacted by the different polymers. PET fibers and PVC particles demonstrated the most unique effects, with decreased ecosystem metabolism in sediments containing PET and greater nutrient uptake in sediments with PVC. Microbial diversity was reduced in all treatments containing plastic, but SBR had the most substantial impact on microbial community function, increasing the relative importance of metabolic pathways such as hydrocarbon degradation and sulfur metabolism. Our results suggest that individual polymers have unique impacts on the benthos, with divergent implications for ecosystem function. This provides deeper insight into the myriad ways plastic pollution may impact aquatic ecosystems and will help to inform risk assessment and policy interventions by highlighting which materials pose the greatest risk.

Size-Resolved Identification and Quantification of Micro/Nanoplastics in Indoor Air Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry.

Humans are exposed to differing levels of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) through inhalation, but few studies have attempted to measure <1 μm MNPs in air, in part due to a paucity of analytical methods. We developed an approach to identify and quantify MNPs in indoor air using a novel pyrolysis gas chromatographic cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometer (pyr-GCxcIMS). Four common plastic types were targeted for identification, namely, (polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The method was applied to size-resolved particulate (56 nm to 18 μm) collected from two different indoor environments using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors (MOUDI) model 110 cascade impactor. Comprehensive two-dimensional separation by GCxcIMS also enabled the retrospective analysis of other polymers and plastic additives. The mean concentrations of MNP particles with diameters of <10 μm and <2.5 μm in the laboratory were estimated to be 47 ± 5 and 27 ± 4 μg/m3, respectively. In the private residence, the estimated concentrations were 24 ± 3 and 16 ± 2 μg/m3. PS was the most abundant MNP type in both locations. Nontargeted screening revealed the presence of plastic additives, such as TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate) whose abundance correlated with that of polyurethane (PU). This is consistent with their use as flame retardants in PU-based upholstered furniture and building insulation. This study provides evidence of indoor exposure to MNPs and underlines the need for further study of this route of exposure to MNPs and the plastic additives carried with them.

Deep learning analysis for rapid detection and classification of household plastics based on Raman spectroscopy

The overuse of plastics releases large amounts of microplastics. These tiny and complex pollutants may cause immeasurable damage to human social life. Raman spectroscopy detection technology is widely used in the detection, identification and analysis of microplastics due to its advantages of fast speed, high sensitivity and non-destructive. In this work, we first recorded the Raman spectra of eight common plastics in daily life. By adjusting parameters such as laser wavelength, laser power, and acquisition time, the Raman data under different acquisition conditions were diversified, and the corresponding Raman spectra were obtained, and a database of eight household plastics was established. Combined with deep learning algorithms, an accurate, fast and simple classification and identification method for 8 types of plastics is established. Firstly, the acquired spectral data were preprocessed for baseline correction and noise reduction, Then, four machine learning algorithms, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), decision tree, support vector machine (SVM) and one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN), are used to classify and identify the preprocessed data. The results showed that the classification accuracy of the three machine learning models for the Raman spectra of standard plastic samples were 84%, 93% and 93% respectively. The 1D-CNN model has an accuracy rate of up to 97% for Raman spectroscopy. Our study shows that the combination of Raman spectroscopy detection techniques and deep learning algorithms is a very valuable approach for microplastic classification and identification.

Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy.

Plastics are now omnipresent in our daily lives. The existence of microplastics (1 µm to 5 mm in length) and possibly even nanoplastics (<1 μm) has recently raised health concerns. In particular, nanoplastics are believed to be more toxic since their smaller size renders them much more amenable, compared to microplastics, to enter the human body. However, detecting nanoplastics imposes tremendous analytical challenges on both the nano-level sensitivity and the plastic-identifying specificity, leading to a knowledge gap in this mysterious nanoworld surrounding us. To address these challenges, we developed a hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging platform with an automated plastic identification algorithm that allows micro-nano plastic analysis at the single-particle level with high chemical specificity and throughput. We first validated the sensitivity enhancement of the narrow band of SRS to enable high-speed single nanoplastic detection below 100 nm. We then devised a data-driven spectral matching algorithm to address spectral identification challenges imposed by sensitive narrow-band hyperspectral imaging and achieve robust determination of common plastic polymers. With the established technique, we studied the micro-nano plastics from bottled water as a model system. We successfully detected and identified nanoplastics from major plastic types. Micro-nano plastics concentrations were estimated to be about 2.4 ± 1.3 × 105 particles per liter of bottled water, about 90% of which are nanoplastics. This is orders of magnitude more than the microplastic abundance reported previously in bottled water. High-throughput single-particle counting revealed extraordinary particle heterogeneity and nonorthogonality between plastic composition and morphologies; the resulting multidimensional profiling sheds light on the science of nanoplastics.

Effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics on the soil-rhizosphere-plant system: Phytotoxicity, enzyme activity, and microbial community

The widespread presence of soil microplastics (MPs) has become a global environmental problem. MPs of different properties (i.e., types, sizes, and concentrations) are present in the environment, while studies about the impact of MPs having different properties are limited. Thus, this study investigated the effects of three common polymers (polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene) with two concentrations (0.01% and 0.1% w/w) on growth and stress response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), soil enzymes, and rhizosphere microbial community. Lettuce growth was inhibited under MPs treatments. Moreover, the antioxidant system, metabolism composition, and phyllosphere microbiome of lettuce leaves was also perturbed. MPs reduced phytase activity and significantly increased dehydrogenase activity. The diversity and structure of rhizosphere microbial community were disturbed by MPs and more sensitive to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) and polypropylene microplastics (PPMPs). In general, the results by partial least squares pathway models (PLS-PMs) showed that the presence of MPs influenced the soil-rhizosphere-plant system, which may have essential implications for assessing the environmental risk of MPs.

Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Evaluating the Environmental Benefits of Biodegradable Polymers and Recycled Metals

Among all industries looking for economic development and environmental responsibility, sustainable manufacturing has gained popularity worldwide. This study reviews how biodegradable polymers and recycled metals can be utilized to encourage sustainable manufacturing. In reality, biodegradable polymers are made from renewable materials such as starch or cellulose; hence they can be utilized rather than common plastics and they can avoid contamination caused by non-disposable polymers while at the same time improving resource productivity. Biodegradable polymers have found various applications in packaging, agriculture, and pharm sectors where they contribute towards sustainable product advancement through their potential to break down under certain conditions ensuring that no waste remains behind after usage. On the other hand, recycled metals are significant for accomplishing circularity in manufacturing systems and bringing down the natural impacts related to different stages of manufacturing processes. Recycled metals offer assistance to save natural resources, reduce energy utilization, and lower the amount of GHGs produced by mining and refining virgin ore. For sustainable manufacturing, this paper highlights participation as well as development and technology integration among other things. For instance; making eco-friendly materials may be one such activity while digitalizing production processes can be another great thought for improving environmental sustainability in the manufacturing sector. Moreover, this paper suggests a few areas that can foster greater natural protection amid production activities like switching over renewable sources of power supply for energy usage. These actions will not only guarantee economic development but also protect our environment because somehow they are interrelated to each other.