Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(17), P. 9963 - 9963

Published: Sept. 6, 2021

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. waste exposed to the environment creates problems of significant concern for all life forms. production accumulation natural are occurring at an unprecedented rate due indiscriminate use, inadequate recycling, deposits landfills. In 2019, global plastic was 370 million tons, with only 9% it being recycled, 12% incinerated, remaining left or The leakage wastes into ecosystems rate. management a challenging problem researchers, policymakers, citizens, other stakeholders. Therefore, here, we summarize current understanding concerns plastics (microplastics nanoplastics) on overall goal this review provide background assessment adverse effects ecosystems; interlink sustainable development goals; address policy initiatives under transdisciplinary approaches through cycle assessment, circular economy, sustainability; identify knowledge gaps; recommendations. community involvement socio-economic inputs different countries presented discussed. ban policies public awareness likely major mitigation interventions. need circularity assess potential environmental impacts resources used throughout product’s span emphasized. Innovations needed reduce, reuse, recycle, recover find eco-friendly replacements plastics. Empowering educating communities citizens act collectively minimize use alternative options must be promoted enforced. that addressed utmost priority.

Language: Английский

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The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Language: Английский

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Towards circular plastics within planetary boundaries

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 599 - 610

Published: March 6, 2023

Abstract The rapid growth of plastics production exacerbated the triple planetary crisis habitat loss, plastic pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Circular strategies have been proposed for to achieve net-zero GHG However, implications such circular on absolute sustainability not examined a scale. This study links bottom-up model covering both end-of-life treatment 90% global boundaries framework. Here we show that even circular, climate-optimal industry combining current recycling technologies with biomass utilization transgresses thresholds by up four times. improving rates at least 75% in combination CO 2 can lead scenario which comply their assigned safe operating space 2030. Although being key unquantified effect novel entities biosphere, enhanced cannot cope demand predicted until 2050. Therefore, achieving requires fundamental change our methods producing using plastics.

Language: Английский

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Recent advances on the transport of microplastics/nanoplastics in abiotic and biotic compartments

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 438, P. 129515 - 129515

Published: July 2, 2022

Language: Английский

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Plastic pollution and the open burning of plastic wastes

Global Environmental Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 80, P. 102648 - 102648

Published: March 10, 2023

Language: Английский

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Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(5), P. 2617 - 2650

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

The societal importance of plastics contrasts with the carelessness which they are disposed. Their superlative properties lead to economic and environmental efficiency, but linearity puts climate, human health, global ecosystems at risk. Recycling is fundamental transitioning this linear model into a more sustainable, circular economy. Among recycling technologies, chemical depolymerization offers route virgin quality recycled plastics, especially when valorizing complex waste streams poorly served by mechanical methods. However, exists in interlinked system end-of-life fates, complementarity each approach key environmental, economic, sustainability. This review explores recent progress made five commercial polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, polyamides, aliphatic polyesters, polyurethanes. Attention paid not only catalytic technologies used enhance efficiencies also interrelationship other systemic constraints imposed Novel polymers, designed for depolymerization, concisely reviewed terms their underlying chemistry potential integration current plastic systems.

Language: Английский

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Photo-oxidation of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Effects in Environments

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(2), P. 991 - 1009

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are attracting increasing attention due to their persistence potential ecological risks. This review critically summarizes the effects of photo-oxidation on physical, chemical, biological behaviors MNPs in aquatic terrestrial environments. The core this paper explores how photo-oxidation-induced surface property changes affect adsorption toward contaminants, stability mobility water porous media, as well transport pollutants such organic (OPs) heavy metals (HMs). It then reviews photochemical processes with coexisting constituents, highlighting critical factors affecting MNPs, contribution phototransformation other contaminants. distinct mechanism aged pointed out, terms toxicity organisms, biofilm formation, planktonic microbial growth, soil sediment community function. Furthermore, research gaps perspectives put forward, regarding underlying interaction mechanisms natural constituents under conditions, combined fate microbiological effect photoaged especially biotransformation pollutants.

Language: Английский

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A local-to-global emissions inventory of macroplastic pollution

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 633(8028), P. 101 - 108

Published: Sept. 4, 2024

Language: Английский

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Economic and Environmental Benefits of Modular Microwave-Assisted Polyethylene Terephthalate Depolymerization

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. 4209 - 4218

Published: Feb. 23, 2023

The growing amount of plastic waste endangers the environment. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is among most widespread plastics due to its extensive use in fibers and packaging. Recently, chemical recycling upcycling approaches have been proposed produce valuable products from bale PET feedstocks. This work performs techno-economic analysis life cycle assessment evaluate environmental economic performances various technologies, including electrification via microwaves over a heterogeneous catalyst. We demonstrate that using microwave-assisted glycolysis process bis(2-hydroxyethyl) (BHET) could lower production costs emissions than traditional dimethyl (DMT) route high reactivity excellent reusability fast reaction rate selectivity render this ideal for handling spatially distributed effectively.

Language: Английский

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Inequitable distribution of plastic benefits and burdens on economies and public health

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Jan. 10, 2023

Plastic heterogeneously affects social systems – notably human health and local global economies. Here we discuss illustrative examples of the benefits burdens each stage plastic lifecycle ( e.g. , macroplastic production, consumption, recycling). We find to communities stakeholders are principally economic, whereas fall largely on health. Furthermore, economic rarely applied alleviate or mitigate it creates, amplifying disconnect between who is burdened. In some instances, enterprises in low-wealth areas collect recycle waste, creating a market for upcycled goods. While such endeavors generate socioeconomic benefits, they perpetuate status quo which burden responsibility waste management falls downstream communities, rather than producers have generated far greater benefits. traditional cost-benefit analyses that inform decision-making disproportionately weigh over indirect, often unquantifiable, costs burdens, stress need include all impacted across life stages policy design. therefore urge Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee consider available knowledge deleterious effects entire while drafting upcoming international treaty.

Language: Английский

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