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A multi-criteria assessment of the implementation of innovative technologies to achieve different levels of microplastics and macroplastics reduction
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This study applied a multicriteria decision analysis framework to evaluate innovative technologies for reducing microplastic and macroplastic pollution in marine environments, ranking cleanup measures by environmental, socioeconomic, and financial impact to inform better policy decisions.
This paper proposes and applies a multicriteria decision analysis framework tailored to assess measures for reducing the concentration of microplastics and macroplastics in seas, by implementing ground-breaking clean-up technologies and addressing different types of pollutant sources. Environmental, socio-economic and financial impacts are considered to provide a ranking of these measures for better-informed decision making. The data required to evaluate the performance of the technologies in different locations and scales are analyzed to understand the consequences of the different measures in terms of plastic pathways and sites, and the amounts accumulated, using innovative simulation models. The framework is applied to the Mediterranean Sea, providing insights for designing measures to respond to the challenges of cleaning seas and fulfill the EU marine strategy. The results for the best ranked alternatives show that dealing with microplastics is much more expensive (by one order of magnitude) than dealing with macroplastics.
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A multi-criteria assessment of policies to achieve the objectives of the EU marine litter strategy.
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This study used a multi-criteria assessment to evaluate policy options for meeting EU marine litter reduction targets. Researchers and stakeholders scored different policy measures on effectiveness, feasibility, and social acceptance. Extended producer responsibility, improved waste management infrastructure, and targeted bans on single-use plastics emerged as the most promising policy levers.
Consumer-based actions to reduce plastic pollution in rivers: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach
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Researchers applied multi-criteria decision analysis to evaluate consumer-based actions for reducing macroplastic pollution in European freshwater environments, focusing on commonly found single-use plastic items. The analysis ranked actions by their potential to reduce plastic inputs to rivers, providing a framework to guide consumer choices and inform policy targeting the most impactful plastics.
A review on strategies for the removal and degradation of microplastics from aquatic environments: Pros, cons, policies perspectives, and life cycle and economic assessment
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Researchers reviewed strategies for removing and degrading microplastics from aquatic environments, including sand filtration, adsorption, and membrane technologies. The study evaluates the advantages, challenges, and practical solutions for each approach, alongside policy perspectives and life cycle economic assessments to guide future remediation efforts.
Case studies of macro- and microplastics pollution in coastal waters and rivers: Is there a solution with new removal technologies and policy actions?
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This review examined case studies of macro- and microplastic pollution in coastal waters and rivers, discussing the current state of contamination and evaluating emerging removal technologies and policy interventions. The authors assessed whether new technological solutions and regulatory actions could realistically address the global scale of plastic pollution.
A novel multi-criteria decision analysis approach to advance standardisation of microplastic extraction from agricultural soils
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Researchers developed a standardized method for extracting microplastics from agricultural soils using a multi-criteria decision framework that weighed recovery efficiency, cost, time, and environmental impact. The winning combination — hydrogen peroxide digestion at 50°C followed by zinc chloride density separation — achieved over 92% recovery of microplastics across diverse soil types.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.