Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Review: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R1/PR8

This peer review evaluates a study on public perceptions of plastic pollution in the context of global treaty negotiations. Scientific understanding of public attitudes helps policymakers craft more effective communication and regulatory approaches for reducing the plastic waste that becomes microplastics.

2023
Article Tier 2

Decision: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R1/PR10

This peer review decision evaluates a study analyzing peer-reviewed literature on public perceptions of plastic pollution as international treaty negotiations unfold. Understanding how the public perceives plastic pollution is important for shaping effective policies to reduce the microplastic contamination that flows from mismanaged plastic waste.

2023
Article Tier 2

Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate

This review analyzed 39 peer-reviewed studies on public perceptions of plastic pollution, finding that research discourse is narrowly focused on marine impacts and single-use plastics while largely ignoring broader plastic pollution contexts relevant to international treaty negotiations.

2023 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Review: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR2

This review analyzes 39 peer-reviewed studies on public perceptions of plastic pollution, finding that debate is largely focused on marine environments and single-use plastics. The review notes gaps in public awareness of microplastics' health effects and calls for better communication to inform policy negotiations.

2023
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR4

This is a peer review recommendation for a study analyzing 39 published papers on public perceptions of plastic pollution, finding that research has focused mainly on marine ecosystems, single-use plastics, and microplastic risks while underexploring broader production reduction and climate-plastics links. The paper notes that framing choices in terminology shape public understanding and policy responses to the plastic pollution crisis.

2023
Article Tier 2

Review: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R1/PR7

A peer review of a study analyzing public perceptions of plastic pollution found that research mainly focuses on marine impacts and single-use plastics. The reviewer suggests future work should examine broader risk perceptions including toxic chemicals in plastics and links to climate change.

2023
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR1

This author comment accompanies a review analyzing global public perceptions of plastic pollution, based on 39 peer-reviewed studies. The analysis finds that public discourse has focused heavily on marine and single-use plastic issues, which may limit the scope of international policy solutions.

2023
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R1/PR6

This author comment accompanies a study reviewing public perceptions of plastic pollution based on 39 peer-reviewed papers. The response affirms the value of social science perspectives in shaping plastic pollution policy and addressing the social meaning of plastics in everyday life.

2023
Article Tier 2

Review: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR3

A review of 39 studies on public perceptions of plastic pollution found that research has clustered around marine ecosystems, single-use plastics, and recycling barriers, while underexploring systemic production reduction and connections to climate change or broader biodiversity loss. The paper emphasizes that terminology choices — 'marine debris' vs. 'microplastics' vs. 'plastic pollution' — frame public understanding differently and should inform policy communications.

2023
Article Tier 2

Decision: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR5

This is the editorial decision record for a paper analyzing public perceptions of plastic pollution. The editor's decision document accompanies peer reviews of the paper and does not contain independent research findings.

2023
Review Tier 2

Author comment: Plastic Pulse of the Public: A review of survey-based research on how people use plastic — R0/PR1

This author comment reviews survey-based research on how people use, perceive, and understand plastic pollution, synthesizing evidence on public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to plastics across different jurisdictions and demographic groups. The review highlights variation in public engagement and identifies gaps in understanding that limit effective communication and policy interventions around plastic pollution.

2022
Article Tier 2

From Ocean to Table: How Public Awareness Shapes the Fight Against Microplastic Pollution

This literature review synthesized global studies on public awareness of microplastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge has expanded significantly, public understanding and behavioral change remain limited. The study identified effective communication strategies and policy approaches to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public action.

2025 Urban Science
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR9

Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.

2025
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Uncertainties about waste using an online survey and review approach: Environmentalist perceptions, household waste compositions and views from media and science — R0/PR2

A survey combined with a mini-review explored individuals' perceptions of their own waste generation, finding general concern about plastic pollution but limited understanding of personal contribution. Better public awareness of household plastic waste behaviors is important for designing effective policies to reduce the plastic entering the environment and eventually fragmenting into microplastics.

2023
Article Tier 2

Risk perception and risk realities in forming legally binding agreements: The governance of plastics

This study examines how public perception of plastic pollution risk influences the development of legally binding international agreements to address it. Researchers found that while initial public concern focused on human health effects of microplastics, emerging scientific evidence suggests the broader environmental impacts may be the more pressing issue. The study argues that effective plastic governance requires aligning risk perception with scientific evidence to build support for comprehensive policy solutions.

2022 Environmental Science & Policy 80 citations
Article Tier 2

The degree of awareness of the risk of microplastic particles/people’s perception in taking preventive measures for this type of risk

This study surveyed public awareness of microplastic risks and perceptions around taking protective measures, finding that knowledge levels were variable and that most people had limited understanding of exposure routes and health implications. The authors call for targeted public communication campaigns to increase risk awareness.

2024 Journal of Engineering Sciences and Innovation
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Addressing microplastics in drinking water in the global plastics treaty – Gaps, challenges and opportunities — R1/PR7

A peer review recommendation on a letter analyzing the UN Global Plastics Treaty's failure to adequately address microplastics in drinking water, endorsing publication with minor revisions. (Peer review document.)

2025
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR4

A survey of UN delegates working on the Global Plastics Treaty found that policymakers broadly prioritize human health evidence but differ on preferred mitigation strategies, with the study offering recommendations for streamlining research to better inform treaty negotiations.

2025
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Uncertainties about waste using an online survey and review approach: Environmentalist perceptions, household waste compositions and views from media and science — R1/PR5

This recommendation document accompanies a peer-reviewed study using online surveys and literature review to explore how individuals perceive plastic and general waste, aiming to identify barriers to waste reduction behavior. The study found diverse mental models of waste among respondents that have implications for designing effective education and policy interventions.

2024
Article Tier 2

Indicators for plastic pollution

This paper analyzes what indicators should be used to measure plastic pollution as part of negotiations for an international plastics treaty. Reliable, standardized metrics for plastic and microplastic pollution are essential for setting targets and evaluating progress under any global agreement.

2023 TemaNord