Papers

20 results
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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

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 — 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 — 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

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

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

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
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: 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 — 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

The Role of Legislation, Regulatory Initiatives and Guidelines on the Control of Plastic Pollution

This review examines existing plastic pollution regulations globally, finding that despite many proposals and national bans, the overall effectiveness of legislation is unclear and most measures focus narrowly on marine plastics or single-use items. The authors argue that laws often lag behind science and face practical limitations given how deeply embedded plastics are in daily life.

2020 Frontiers in Environmental Science 220 citations
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

Analysis of Marine Plastic Pollution and Environmental Problems

This review examines the sources, environmental and socioeconomic effects, and policy responses to marine plastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge is substantial, policy and regulatory initiatives have so far been inadequate and inconsistent across countries. The paper calls for stronger international coordination and more effective governance tools to meaningfully reduce plastic inputs to the ocean.

2023 Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Limited knowledge of national plastics policy effectiveness may hinder global progress — R0/PR1

This review examines gaps in knowledge about whether national plastic policies are actually working to reduce plastic pollution. The authors argue that without better effectiveness data, global progress on addressing the plastic crisis may be significantly hampered.

2023
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
Review Tier 2

Politics and the plastic crisis: A review throughout the plastic life cycle

This political science review analyzed over 180 studies on the governance of plastics across their full life cycle, finding that marine pollution and microplastics are driving the fastest growth in plastic policy research. The authors identify fragmented governance architectures and the absence of binding international agreements as major obstacles to addressing the global plastic crisis.

2019 Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Energy and Environment 466 citations
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

Plastic marine pollution

This paper analyzes the causes and consequences of marine plastic pollution, reviews alternative solutions proposed by various actors, and assesses the effectiveness of current international actions. It concludes that existing efforts are insufficient given the scale of plastic entering the oceans each year.

2019 Prosperitas
Article Tier 2

Public Perceptions of Marine Plastic Litter: A Comparative Study Across European Countries and Seas

This study surveyed public perceptions of marine plastic litter across eight European countries bordering the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean, finding high awareness of the problem but identifying barriers to behavioral change that vary by country and sea region.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 24 citations