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Environmental Management Systems and Microplastic Pollution: Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice
Summary
This review examined how environmental management systems can be applied to address microplastic pollution, bridging the gap between scientific research, corporate practice, and regulatory policy. The authors found that voluntary management frameworks and ISO-aligned approaches offer practical pathways for industry to reduce microplastic emissions, though mandatory regulatory standards are ultimately needed for systemic change.
Microplastic pollution has become a major environmental concern due to its persistence, ubiquity, and complex impacts. Defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, microplastics originate from primary sources such as microbeads and synthetic fibres, and secondary fragmentation of larger plastics. Their widespread presence in water, soil, and air raises serious risks for ecosystems, food safety, and human health. Traditional Environmental Management Systems (EMS), including ISO 14001, were not designed to address pollutants of such microscopic scale and diverse composition. This review synthesises current knowledge on microplastic sources, pathways, and impacts, while exploring how EMS can evolve to integrate microplastic‑specific strategies. Embedding microplastic management into EMS aligns with sustainability agendas such as circular economy practices and extended producer responsibility. Achieving this requires technological innovation, improved recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and governance mechanisms that harmonise standards. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to strengthening EMS frameworks and mitigating microplastic pollution effectively.