Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

The Burden of Microplastics Pollution and Contending Policies and Regulations

This review examines the growing global burden of microplastic pollution and the policies being developed to address it. Researchers found that inadequate waste management systems allow massive amounts of plastic to contaminate terrestrial and aquatic environments, threatening ecosystems and the billions of people who depend on them. The study evaluates existing regulations and suggests that stronger, more coordinated policy frameworks are needed to curb microplastic pollution.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 140 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of Prevailing Directives Regarding Microplastic Pollution

This review examines prevailing regulations and directives governing microplastic pollution, which enters land and water environments through inadequate plastic waste management and urban wastewater discharge. The authors analyze gaps in current policy frameworks and assess the effectiveness of existing global and regional legislative approaches.

2024
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystem: A review of existing policies and regulations

This review examines existing government policies and regulations worldwide aimed at controlling microplastic pollution in water environments. While many countries have taken steps like banning microbeads in personal care products, the authors found that current efforts are insufficient to prevent microplastic release at scale. The study calls for stronger, more coordinated global regulations to protect both ecosystems and public health from microplastic contamination.

2024 Chemosphere 13 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics: A Review of Policies and Responses

This critical review assembled current knowledge on policies and regulatory responses to plastic pollution globally, including legislative measures, economic instruments, and voluntary commitments. The authors identify a gap between scientific evidence and policy action and call for stronger, more coordinated international governance of plastic pollution.

2022 Microplastics 79 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics

This UN Environment Programme report reviews the science on marine plastic debris and microplastics, identifies priority areas for action, and calls for improved waste management to reduce plastic flowing into oceans. It synthesizes existing research and provides policy recommendations for governments and industry.

2016 United Nations eBooks 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Macro problems from microplastics: Toward a sustainable policy framework for managing microplastic waste in Africa

Researchers critically reviewed regulatory and policy approaches to managing microplastic pollution across African countries. They found that while environmental monitoring studies demonstrate an urgent need for action, the effectiveness of existing plastic waste policies in Africa remains poorly understood. The study proposes a sustainable policy framework tailored to the unique challenges African nations face in reducing microplastic waste generation and environmental contamination.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 119 citations
Article Tier 2

Bottlenecks of Global Plastic Strategy and the Way Forward of Microplastics Management

This review examines bottlenecks in global plastic waste management strategies, arguing that rising plastic use in everyday activities has outpaced regulatory and logistical capacity, and proposing pathways forward for more effective microplastics management at a global scale.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Pollution and Worldwide Policies on Plastic Use

This book examines microplastic pollution mechanisms, sources, and impacts while providing a comprehensive comparative overview of national policies developed across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa to address plastic use and minimize environmental contamination. Researchers found that while policy frameworks have proliferated globally, significant variation exists in regulatory requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and penalties for non-compliance across regions.

2024
Article Tier 2

International Law and Regulation of Marine Microplastics: Current Situation, Problems, and Development

This study evaluated the current international legal framework governing marine microplastic pollution and identified significant gaps in regulatory coverage. Researchers found that existing global and regional legal instruments lack the specificity and enforcement mechanisms needed to effectively address microplastic contamination. The study offers recommendations for strengthening international law to better regulate the sources and impacts of marine microplastic pollution.

2024 Sustainability 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution Prevention: The Need for Robust Policy Interventions to Close the Loopholes in Current Waste Management Practices

This review argues that current waste management policies have significant gaps that allow microplastic pollution to continue growing despite awareness of the problem. While cleanup technology is improving, prevention through better regulation of plastic production, use, and disposal is more practical and cost-effective. The authors call for stronger policy interventions including extended producer responsibility, bans on unnecessary single-use plastics, and standardized microplastic monitoring.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the environment: An urgent need for coordinated waste management policies and strategies

This review highlights that microplastic pollution affects marine ecosystems, farmland, and human health, but current waste management policies are fragmented and insufficient. The authors evaluate existing strategies and propose practical solutions including better recycling programs, product redesign to reduce plastic use, and coordinated international policy. Addressing the microplastic problem requires not just cleanup technology but systemic changes in how we produce, use, and dispose of plastics.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancing the international regulation of plastic pollution beyond the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution on marine litter and microplastics

This legal paper reviews international frameworks relevant to plastic pollution and argues for a binding global agreement specifically targeting plastic pollution, beyond existing resolutions. A comprehensive international treaty is increasingly seen as necessary to meaningfully reduce plastic pollution, including microplastics.

2018 Review of European Comparative & International Environmental Law 78 citations
Article Tier 2

Legislation and Policy on Pollution Prevention and the Control of Marine Microplastics

This review analyses international legislation and policies targeting marine microplastic pollution, finding that most existing regulations focus narrowly on microbeads while failing to address other microplastic types, and identifies three systemic dilemmas that impede more comprehensive regulatory frameworks.

2022 Water 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Policy priorities: emerging trends in a global response

This policy review examines global regulatory responses to plastic and microplastic pollution, identifying focal areas, gaps, and future directions by drawing parallels to historical policy development around air pollution management.

2024 Microplastics
Article Tier 2

Addressing Microplastic Pollution via the Global Plastic Treaty

This paper discusses the role of the global plastic treaty in addressing microplastic pollution, evaluating policy mechanisms, international governance challenges, and the scientific evidence needed to support binding reduction targets.

2024 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution

This review outlines strategies for reducing micro and nanoplastic pollution, covering prevention, cleanup, and policy approaches. The authors discuss biodegradable alternatives, improved waste management, advanced filtration, and regulatory frameworks that could help address the problem. The paper emphasizes that tackling microplastic pollution requires action across manufacturing, disposal, and environmental remediation.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Freshwater microplastics governance and sustainable development: Pollution status, interactions, policies, and prospective studies

This review examines 20 years of research on microplastic pollution in freshwater environments, covering pollution status, interactions with other contaminants, and governance policies across multiple countries. The study suggests that while various policy frameworks exist for reducing microplastic sources and improving waste management, more coordinated monitoring and evaluation efforts are needed to effectively address freshwater microplastic contamination.

2024 Desalination and Water Treatment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics: Occurrences, treatment methods, regulations and foreseen environmental impacts

This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution, covering where these particles are found, how they are treated and regulated, and what environmental impacts are anticipated. Researchers found that current wastewater treatment methods are often insufficient to fully remove microplastics, and regulatory frameworks remain inconsistent across countries. The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved treatment technologies and coordinated global policies to address this growing environmental challenge.

2022 Environmental Research 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges for Regulation and Management of Microplastic in Environment and Proposed Changes

This review examines failures in international law and national regulations to adequately address microplastic pollution in water bodies, arguing that recent treaty negotiations have been insufficient and proposing regulatory changes to better manage microplastics in the environment.

2025
Article Tier 2

Policy and Regulatory Approaches to Mitigating Micro- and Nano Plastic Pollution

This chapter reviews policy and regulatory approaches to addressing microplastic and nanoplastic pollution globally. The study examines existing regulations, treatment technologies, and prevention strategies including product design modifications and improved waste management. The authors emphasize that effective governance requires collaboration among stakeholders and continued research, particularly on nanoplastics and human health impacts.

2024 Advances in environmental engineering and green technologies book series 3 citations