Problem Of Plastic Pollution Research Articles

System of change management strategies for the enterprise producing disposable tableware

The article deals with the global problem of plastic pollution of the environment.As a way to solve this problem, it is proposed to reduce the production of disposable plastictableware with a subsequent transition to the use of products that will be safe for theenvironment and human health. This transition involves the development of innovativeprojects to create biodegradable tableware, and materials, equipment and technologies forits manufacture. The implementation of such projects involves not only the creation ofproduct and technological innovations, but also the implementation of changes in the businessprocesses of enterprises. For the effective implementation of these processes, it is proposed touse the developed system of change management strategies, which is distinguished by adetailed elaboration of a set of organizational measures, including measures to motivatepersonnel in order to reduce resistance to the changes. The choice of a specific changemanagement strategy is determined by such criteria as the degree of their radicality, theperiod of execution and the allocated resources.

A devil's bargain

Plastics have become an essential material of the modern global consumer economy, yet many of the properties that make them useful in so many applications also make them a serious environmental threat. As for much new technology, their development and proliferation occurred with little consideration for their impacts, but now it is impossible to deny their dark side as we confront a rapidly growing plastic pollution problem. In this special issue, we examine a range of topics related to plastics, from their distribution in the environment to their development into an evolutionary trap for animals to ways we can rethink them to create a better future. A series of Reviews discusses how plastics are best understood as novel geomaterials, the evolutionary and ecological dimensions of plastic ingestion by wildlife, the accumulation and effects of plastic pollution in the environment, and how innovations in upcycling and recycling may affect the fate of plastics and drive advances in next-generation materials design. Complementing these Reviews, a Policy Forum and a pair of Perspectives discuss efforts to develop a global agreement to combat plastic pollution, provide an overview of the history of environmental bioplastics and their implications, and offer suggestions for designing plastics for a circular bioeconomy. Finally, a brace of News Features explores how enzymes are being used to aid in plastic recycling efforts and how museums are trying to stop plastics in their exhibits from breaking down. The time for preventing plastic pollution is long past—the time for changing the future of plastics in our world, however, is now.

Incidence of Watershed Land Use on the Consumption of Meso and Microplastics by Fish Communities in Uruguayan Lowland Streams

Physical-chemical and biologicaldiversity of streams are influenced by the land use in their watersheds. Plastics currently make up the most important waste asset, representing an important part of the transported and accumulated material in water courses. This work analyzes the consumption of plastics debris by the fish communities in streams with two contrasting types of land use. We worked with threestreams impacted by urbanization and threeby extensive ranching. The stomach and intestinal contents of 309 individuals of 29 species were analyzed, by a modified alkaline digestion, and observed under a stereo microscope with polarized light. A total of 373 plastic itemswere found, of which the majority corresponded to fibers (318). A significant difference was found between the percentage of individuals that consumed plastic debrisbetween both systems (51.6% in ranchers and 76.6% in urban, p = 0.014 Mood’s Median), but no difference was found in the average ingested per individual. This study establishes the first baseline on plastic debris consumption by fish in Uruguayan streams, showing the extent of the plastic and microplastic pollution problem. Although there are differences between the analyzed sites, we also observed significant contamination in streams far from urbanization.

Plastic pollution mitigation – net plastic circularity through a standardized credit system in Asia

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 12: Responsible consumption and production and 14: Life Below Water coincide in the targeting of the problem of plastic pollution. The problem has been garnering immense media attention in the recent years. Efforts to reduce unnecessary plastic consumption have been seen in social movements, in corporate policies and most noticeably, in regulatory control in the form of bans for specific types of single-use plastic items. A paradox exists as, arguably, civilization cannot sustain its current developmental momentum without the use of plastics, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic demanding higher levels of protection and hygiene. An ideal goal for the transformation of the plastic value chain is the concept of circular economy – the complete return of post-consumer plastic waste (PCPW) for repeated re-consumption after recovery and recycling processes. Hence, corporate engagement to manage the plastic value chain in ways that commit to the creation of circular economies is crucial. While reduction and substitution are being pursued, the current scale of the plastic production is still expected to remain the same or increase for the next few years as life cycle assessments (LCA), test trials of consumer acceptance towards novel delivery mechanisms and other forms of innovation are emerging. The reduction of plastics in the private-sector is allegedly ongoing but still intangible in Asia as daily lives continue to rely heavily on single-use plastics and large amounts of plastic packaging. While recovery and collection innovations are underway for application and are picking up speed, there is still an unfathomable amount of marine litter entering waterways, which aggravates the bigger-than-ever problem of plastic pollution in Asia.Responsible production has long adopted the concept of credits. Carbon credits are the most notable one, while palm oil credits are also prominently purchased by manufacturers to offset any palm oil content that is not yet sourced from certified sustainable suppliers. The concept of credits for plastics is currently sporadically seen across the world, especially in developing regions of Asia, but remains much less explored than their counterparts for other commodities. “Plastic neutrality” or “net plastic circularity” in the form of credit purchasing by businesses could likely be the final missing piece of the puzzle picturing a circular economy, especially as an interim measure and later as a component to be integrated into existing and upcoming extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. In theory, the credit system could serve as an offsetting mechanism to recover an equivalent or higher amount of plastics to be produced by the credit-purchasing responsible manufacturer. This paper explores how responsible plastic production, accounting, recovery and offsetting could be enabled through standardized plastic credits, similar to the existing carbon and sustainable palm oil credit systems, could be applied in Asia to achieve the goal of recovery of plastics for circularity.

An investigation into the leaching of micro and nano particles and chemical pollutants from disposable face masks - linked to the COVID-19 pandemic

The production of disposable plastic face masks (DPFs) in China alone has reached to approximately 200 million a day, in a global effort to tackle the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, improper and unregulated disposals of these DPFs has been and will continue to intensify the plastic pollution problem we are already facing. This study focuses on the emission of pollutants from 7 DPF brands that were submerged in water to simulate environmental conditions if these DPFs were littered. The DPF leachates were filtered by inorganic membranes, and both particle-deposited organic membranes and the filtrates were characterized using techniques such as FTIR, SEM-EDX, Light Microscopy, ICP-MS and LC-MS. Micro and nano scale polymeric fibres, particles, siliceous fragments and leachable inorganic and organic chemicals were observed from all of the tested DPFs. Traces of concerning heavy metals (i.e. lead up to 6.79 µg/L) were detected in association with silicon containing fragments. ICP-MS also confirmed the presence of other leachable metals like cadmium (up to 1.92 µg/L), antimony (up to 393 µg/L) and copper (up to 4.17 µg/L). LC-MS analysis identified polar leachable organic species related to plastic additives and contaminants; polyamide-66 monomer and oligomers (nylon-66 synthesis), surfactant molecules, dye-like molecules and polyethylene glycol were all tentatively identified in the leachate. The toxicity of some of the chemicals found and the postulated risks of the rest of the present particles and molecules, raises the question of whether DPFs are safe to be used on a daily basis and what consequences are to be expected after their disposal into the environment.

Plastic Pollution in the Ocean: The Impacts of Visual Information and Text on Beliefs, Attitudes, and Expected Behaviours

An experiment is conducted using an internet-based survey about the problem of plastic pollution in oceans. Treatment groups consist of respondents viewing an underwater photograph illustrating plastic pollution in oceans and/or reading a one-sentence description of the magnitude of the problem. Treatment effects are estimated for a variety of attitude and belief measures as well as for respondents’ expectations about how their own and others’ behaviours will be affected. Results support the external validity of previous estimates as well as providing new insights. For the sample as a whole, estimated effects on expected behaviours are more significant than estimated effects on underlying beliefs and attitudes. Though there are few statistically significant effects on belief and attitude measures, each treatment does result in some statistically significant effects, however. Estimated effects on beliefs and attitudes for those who didn’t hold strong pre-existing pro-environmental attitudes and beliefs were large, suggesting that visual and/or textual information can have large impacts on that group. There are almost no differences across treatments, whether for the sample as a whole or for the subsamples. A large majority of respondents reported that the experimental treatment made them want to learn more about this important environmental problem.

Understanding the Barrier and Mechanical Behavior of Different Nanofillers in Chitosan Films for Food Packaging.

The continuous petroleum-based plastics manufacturing generates disposal issues, spreading the problem of plastic pollution and its rise in the environment. Recently, innovative techniques and scientific research promoted biopolymers as the primary alternative for traditional plastics, raising and expanding global bioplastic production. Due to its unmatched biological and functional attributes, chitosan (Ch) has been substantially explored and employed as a biopolymeric matrix. Nevertheless, the hydrophilicity and the weak mechanical properties associated with this biopolymer represent a significant intrinsic restriction to its implementation into some commercial applications, namely, in food packaging industries. Distinct methodologies have been utilized to upgrade the mechanical and barrier properties of Ch, such as using organic or inorganic nanofillers, crosslinkers, or blends with other polymers. This review intends to analyze the most recent works that combine the action of different nanoparticle types with Ch films to reinforce their mechanical and barrier properties.

Plastic pollution: A focus on freshwater biodiversity.

Plastics are dominant pollutants in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Scientific studies that investigated the interaction between plastics and freshwater biodiversity are incipient, especially if compared to the marine realm. In this review, we provide a brief overview of plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems around the world. We found evidence of plastic ingestion by 206 freshwater species, from invertebrates to mammals, in natural or semi-natural ecosystems. In addition, we reported other consequences of synthetic polymers in freshwater ecosystems-including, for instance, the entanglement of animals of different groups(e.g., birds). The problem of plastic pollution is complex and will need coordinated actions,such as recycling programs, correct disposal, stringent legislation, regular inspection, replacement of synthetic polymers with other materials, and ecological restoration. Current information indicates that the situation in freshwater ecosystems may be as detrimental as the pollution found in the ocean, although highly underappreciated.

Current Technologies in Depolymerization Process and the Road Ahead.

Although plastic is considered an indispensable commodity, plastic pollution is a major concern around the world due to its rapid accumulation rate, complexity, and lack of management. Some political policies, such as the Chinese import ban on plastic waste, force us to think about a long-term solution to eliminate plastic wastes. Converting waste plastics into liquid and gaseous fuels is considered a promising technique to eliminate the harm to the environment and decrease the dependence on fossil fuels, and recycling waste plastic by converting it into monomers is another effective solution to the plastic pollution problem. This paper presents the critical situation of plastic pollution, various methods of plastic depolymerization based on different kinds of polymers defined in the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) Resin Identification Coding System, and the opportunities and challenges in the future.

Nanoplastics as a Potential Environmental Health Factor: From Molecular Interaction to Altered Cellular Function and Human Diseases

Abstract The problem of plastic pollution is becoming increasingly important and has attracted great interest in the last few years. Polystyrene is one of the most used plastic types in the food and beverage industry, medical and laboratory devices. Increased plastic production and increased food, water, and air pollution and contact with nanoplastics may cause long-lasting changes and predispose to adverse developmental and degenerative diseases through mechanisms that are not yet understood. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current knowledge to plastics, especially polystyrene, and their impact on the human health. In particular, we discuss the major sources of plastic waste, polystyrene surface chemistry, as well as mechanisms by which plastics degrade in the environment. We also provide an insight into cellular uptake mechanism and the molecular interaction of polystyrene nanoparticles and human cells. This review offers scientists and clinicians useful information and could be used as a starting point for more in-depth analysis of nanoplastics as a potential environmental health factor.

Strategies, actions, and policies by Taiwan’s ENGOs, media, and government to reduce plastic use and marine plastic pollution

Plastic pollution has become an increasing environmental threat, and means to mitigate it need to be developed. Since Taiwan has introduced numerous policies to reduce plastic use and pollution, we here review the strategies, actions, and policies by Taiwan’s stakeholders to reduce plastic use and pollution. The information was obtained through a literature review and expert knowledge. We first provide some historical background about the development of environmental issues in Taiwan over the last few decades. We then review the main contributions of each stakeholder (ENGOs, media, government, and industry) to the plastic pollution problem during Taiwan’s last three national governments. During the 2000–2008 government phase, ENGOs learned cleanup, monitoring, and outreach methods which they used to raise public awareness. The 2008–2016 government phase was characterized by ENGOs learning more scientific methods and increasing public outreach. The media began to report on this issue, while the government drifted with few responses. The current government phase has been characterized by continued ENGO activities and a sudden explosion of media interest; this coincided with a much more active and positive government approach which culminated in an ambitious, unprecedented, and wide-ranging 10-year Action Plan which should greatly advance source reduction and removal of plastic waste, scientific monitoring and research, and public outreach. Due to the long-time efforts by ENGOs to influence other stakeholders, Taiwan has become a relatively successful example of how to tackle the plastic pollution problem which may inspire a more concerted effort by other governments using Taiwan as a blueprint.

Fish Don't Litter in Your House: Is International Law the Solution to the Plastic Pollution Problem?

Fish Don't Litter in Your House: Is International Law the Solution to the Plastic Pollution Problem?

Engineering of 2D/2D MoS2/CdxZn1−xS Photocatalyst for Solar H2 Evolution Coupled with Degradation of Plastic in Alkaline Solution

Sufficiently utilizing photogenerated electron/hole pairs for a coupled redox enables green, sustainable, and low‐cost photocatalysis. Herein, a series of MoS2/CdxZn1−xS photocatalysts with uniform 2D/2D structure are reported for solar water–reductive H2 products coupled with the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The MoS2/Cd0.5Zn0.5S heterojunction with a loading mass of 4.3 wt% MoS2 exhibits the best H2 evolution rate of 15.90 mmol g−1 h−1 in an aqueous solution due to its appropriate redox ability, great light absorption, and carrier separation abilities. Then, the oxidation products of PET are analyzed by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, which demonstrates the PET being efficiently degraded to molecule compounds, such as formate and acetate. The work provides a feasible solution to the problem of plastic pollution and meets the demand for sustainable clean energy simultaneously.

Adsorption and Desorption of Triclosan on Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate Microplastics.

Biodegradable plastics have been increasingly used as a solution to the problem of plastic pollution in recent years. However, there are few studies on the negative effects of biodegradable microplastics. Triclosan, a widely used disinfectant, is a highly toxic substance. In the present study, the adsorption and desorption processes of triclosan on a type of biodegradable plastics, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), were investigated and also compared with one conventional plastic type, polyethylene. The adsorption equilibrium quantities of polyethylene and PHB were 3431.85 and 9442.27 μg/g, respectively. The adsorption rate and equilibrium adsorption capacity of triclosan on PHB are much higher than on polyethylene. Physical adsorption of triclosan on PHB and polyethylene microplastics may play a dominant role in this process. The desorption hysteresis indices are all less than zero; this indicates that triclosan is easily released from PHB and polyethylene microplastics under physiological conditions. Our results indicate that biodegradable PHB microplastics are stronger carriers for triclosan than the conventional polyethylene microplastics in the aquatic environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:72-78. © 2020 SETAC.

Phase transition of Mg/Al-flocs to Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides during flocculation and polystyrene nanoplastics removal

Nanoplastics, a kind of emerging pollutant in natural environments, have now drawn tremendous attention worldwide. Flocculation with Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDH) precursor solutions has showed great potential for removing negatively charged nanoparticles from water. In this study, the flocculation behavior and mechanism for the removal of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) with Mg/Al flocs or Mg/Al LDH were systematically analyzed and investigated. During the process of flocculation, it was observed that in situ Mg/Al LDH can be gradually formed with increasing pH, in addition, PSNP were captured or attached to the surface of LDH with a turning point around pH of 5.0. In acidic solutions with pH < 5.0, the negative surface charges of PSNP were diminished mainly due to the high concentrations of hydrogen ions and the positive charges from Mg and Al ions. In a moderately alkaline solution, Mg and Al ions gradually formed crystals capturing PSNP. Electrostatic adsorption and intermolecular force are the main mechanisms via which PSNP are captured on Mg/Al flocs. Herein, PSNP removal efficiencies from water were more than 90.0%. As the problem of plastic pollution becomes more severe, in situ LDH growth flocculation can provide an efficient way for the removal of PSNP.

Ingestion of microplastics by Hypanus guttatus stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian Amazon Coast)

The present study documents, for the first time, the ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by Longnose stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean. We examined 23 specimens of Hypanus guttatus from the Brazilian Amazon coast and found microplastic particles in the stomach contents of almost a third of the individuals. Fibers were the most frequent item (82%), blue was the most frequent color (47%) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) was the most frequent polymer recorded (35%), as identified by 2D imaging - Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The ingestion of microplastics by Longnose stingray has not been previously recorded. The findings of the present study thus provide an important baseline for future studies of microplastic ingestion by dasyatid rays and other batoid species in the Atlantic Ocean, and contribute to the broader understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of the growing problem of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems and organisms.

A country's response to tackling plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems: The Chilean way

Abstract Marine plastic pollution is worse than expected, and we are starting to realize its full extent and severity. Solving the plastic pollution problem is not easy, as it requires the action and commitment of all sectors of our society. With a coastline extending over 4,000 km (from 18°S to 56°S), Chile is a maritime country, and since plastics are potentially harmful for marine and coastal ecosystems, food security, and public health, plastic pollution is a real threat. Chile is the sixth‐largest exporter of seafood (fish, invertebrates, and algae) in the world, but the extent of plastic contamination of marine organisms, its potential effects on commercial species and aquaculture, and its subsequent effects on human health are mostly unknown. Chile has recently introduced some legislation to prevent plastics from reaching the environment and the coastal ocean. Governmental and non‐governmental organizations have joined an informal alliance to take action against plastic pollution, both at a national and regional level, but stronger involvement of producers and commerce is required for effective measures. Chilean scientists working on plastic pollution have created the Scientific Plastic Pollution Alliance of Chile network, aiming to promote collaborative and coordinated research focused on this pollutant. The wide geographical extent of Chile, with researchers working in diverse ecosystems, provides a unique opportunity to better understand the consequences of one of the most recent and severe threats to biodiversity. Rather than solely presenting the plastic pollution problem from the scientific perspective, this paper includes views from different sectors of society. Mitigating plastic pollution is exceptionally complex, with this study highlighting the importance of local engagement, media, solving social inequities, new legislation, and law enforcement in order to advance on decreasing plastic pollution from a country‐wide perspective.

PLASTIC POLLUTION IS ONE OF THE MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM OF HUMANITY

Тhe article is devoted to the global environmental problem of plastic waste pollution. Now, about 9 billion tons of primary plastic have been produced. Of this amount, 6.3 billion tons is plastic waste, of which 9 % was recycled, 12 % incinerated, and 79 % accumulated in landfills or in the environment. The main feature of plastic materials is their stability. Once in the environment as waste, plastic can be in its original state for more than 450 years. The purpose of the article is to study the current state of production and use of plastics, as well as the field of plastic waste management; identification of perspective methods for solving the problem of plastic pollution. Plastics are organic macromolecular compounds that have high quality characteristics. Due to this, they became widespread. There are different types of plastics: thermoplastics, thermosets, foams and bioplastics. Currently, 40% of plastic is used once, after which it is discarded. Under the influence of various factors in the environment plastic slowly breaks down into small fragments, known as microplastics. Microplastic particles get into the soil, water, and through food chains can enter the human body. Potentially microplastics can negatively affect the human body. To solve the problem of accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, many countries around the world, including Ukraine, are implementing a waste management system based on the European waste management hierarchy. The hierarchy reflects five approaches to waste management: Removal (waste disposal and incineration without energy production), Recovery (waste incineration with energy production), Recycling (waste conversion into secondary raw materials for reuse), Reuse (waste reuse without recycling) and Prevention (waste amount minimization). Disposal is the least efficient way of waste management, and recycling and prevention are the most effective ways. Keywords: plastic, waste, pollution, environment, landfill, recycling.

A mess of plastic

Plastic Pollution It is not clear what strategies will be most effective in mitigating harm from the global problem of plastic pollution. Borrelle et al. and Lau et al. discuss possible solutions and their impacts. Both groups found that substantial reductions in plastic-waste generation can be made in the coming decades with immediate, concerted, and vigorous action, but even in the best case scenario, huge quantities of plastic will still accumulate in the environment. Science , this issue p. [1515][1], p. [1455][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aba3656 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aba9475

Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a planetary threat, affecting nearly every marine and freshwater ecosystem globally. In response, multilevel mitigation strategies are being adopted but with a lack of quantitative assessment of how such strategies reduce plastic emissions. We assessed the impact of three broad management strategies, plastic waste reduction, waste management, and environmental recovery, at different levels of effort to estimate plastic emissions to 2030 for 173 countries. We estimate that 19 to 23 million metric tons, or 11%, of plastic waste generated globally in 2016 entered aquatic ecosystems. Considering the ambitious commitments currently set by governments, annual emissions may reach up to 53 million metric tons per year by 2030. To reduce emissions to a level well below this prediction, extraordinary efforts to transform the global plastics economy are needed.