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Plastics from the end-of-life perspective
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This perspective reviews the global plastic pollution crisis from an end-of-life standpoint, highlighting the role of single-use plastics and the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy. The authors argue that solutions require changes in human behavior, government policy limiting single-use production, renewable-energy-driven production, and wider adoption of biodegradable materials.
Plastic environmental pollution, as an emerging menace for ecosystem functioning, is targeted by a broad audience. Recently, research studies have been focused on plastic waste accumulation, pollution, and innovative solutions for plastic waste management due to their vital role in protecting the environment. This study focuses on the global plastic pollution problem, especially single-use plastic, which is named as a lifesaver during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. It also addresses the latest scientific insights and reliable solutions such as moving from a linear economy to a circular economy as a significant cost-saving achievement. In this perspective, plastic pollution surrounds the earth’s ecosystem, ocean, soil, and air, which is a severe threat to the environment and human health. In this regard, less-explained scenarios, as well as simple, practical methods for overcoming the problem or reducing its consequences, are described. The results of this study show the following to solve the plastic pollution crisis: significant changes in human habits and training towards “4Rs” (reducing, reusing, recycling, and refusing plastics), comprehensive government management, on the one hand, by developing the necessary standards to limit the production of single-use plastic, and on the other hand, by creating more incentives for the development of more cost-effective prevention and collection technologies, as well as the production of reusable packaging with Use of 100% renewable energy and wider efforts to produce biodegradable plastics, and finally, implementing circular economy or zero-waste approaches.
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This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic worsened plastic waste management by driving up PPE use and making virgin plastics cheaper than recycled alternatives, with 40% of plastic waste ending up in landfills globally. Researchers propose circular economy strategies—including feedstock recycling and waste valorization into fuels and building materials—to address the mounting crisis.
Plastic Waste Management During and Post COVID‐19 Pandemic: Challenges and Strategies
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This review analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge in single-use plastic and PPE waste — estimated at 1.6 million metric tonnes daily globally — and argues that transitioning to bioplastics and sustainable waste management strategies is essential to prevent a compounding environmental crisis.
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Researchers reviewed plastic waste management strategies through a circular economy lens, assessing how transforming plastic waste into useful products — including construction materials, fuels, and raw inputs — can reduce environmental pollution while creating economic opportunities.
Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter
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This review argues that circular economy measures — including improved collection, reuse, recycling, and design for end-of-life — are necessary to keep plastic value in the economy while reducing the estimated 5-15 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually. Researchers present a framework of policy and industry measures to transition away from the current linear 'make-use-dispose' model that drives marine litter accumulation.
Reclamation of Plastic-Polluted Environments
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Plastic waste has grown into a serious threat to both human health and the environment, and this review paper takes stock of the technologies and strategies available to clean it up and manage it better. The big takeaway: instead of the current "make, use, throw away" approach, we need to shift toward a circular economy, one that emphasizes reusing and recycling plastics, backed by smarter government policies and increased investment in recycling businesses. For everyday people, this matters because better plastic waste management means less plastic pollution breaking down into the environment (and potentially into our food, water, and bodies as microplastics) over time.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.