Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R1/PR9

This peer review recommendation evaluates a study on public perceptions of plastic pollution ahead of international treaty negotiations. Understanding public attitudes toward plastic pollution is important for designing effective communication strategies and policies to reduce microplastic contamination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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

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
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

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 of Plastic Pollution: Importance of Stakeholder Involvement and Citizen Science

Researchers examine how people perceive the risk of plastic pollution and find that eight key factors — including visibility, familiarity, and severity — shape public and policy responses. Greater involvement of citizens and stakeholders in science could improve risk understanding and lead to more effective regulations.

2017 ˜The œhandbook of environmental chemistry 59 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
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review of microplastics perception and its factors: Implications on SDGs

This systematic review examines public awareness and understanding of microplastic pollution around the world. The findings show that gender and education level are key factors in how people perceive microplastic risks, and that more research is needed on how awareness translates into behavior changes that could reduce plastic pollution and its health impacts.

2025 Sustainable Futures 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Making sense of microplastics? Public understandings of plastic pollution

Researchers conducted focus groups to explore public understanding of microplastics and plastic pollution. Most participants were unaware of microplastics, and few connected their personal plastic use to ocean pollution, instead associating the issue with distant images like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that the invisible scale of microplastics, limited scientific understanding, and deeply embedded cultural habits around plastic use present significant barriers to behavior change.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 293 citations
Article Tier 2

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR8

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

Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR7

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