Papers

61,005 results
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Systematic Review Tier 1

Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Their Environmental and Health Implications: A Systematic Review in the Indonesian Context

This systematic review examines menstrual hygiene practices in Indonesia and their environmental impact. It highlights that disposable menstrual products contribute to microplastic pollution, and that switching to sustainable alternatives could reduce both environmental contamination and potential health risks from plastic exposure.

2026 International Journal of Social Service and Research
Article Tier 2

Menstruation: Environmental impact and need for global health equity

This paper highlights the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products as a source of plastic waste and calls for greater awareness and equitable access to sustainable menstrual hygiene options. The study frames menstrual health equity as both a public health and environmental issue requiring global attention.

2022 International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 40 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

A planetary health perspective on menstruation: menstrual equity and climate action

This planetary health review highlights how conventional menstrual hygiene products generate significant plastic waste and contain potentially harmful chemicals, while many people worldwide lack adequate access to menstrual products. Reusable and sustainable alternatives could simultaneously address menstrual equity and reduce environmental plastic pollution.

2023 The Lancet Planetary Health 17 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study into Public Awareness of the Environmental Impact of Menstrual Products and Product Choice

This study investigated public awareness of the plastic content and environmental impact of menstrual products, finding through surveys and focus groups that most participants were unaware of the hidden plastics in disposable items. Results showed that greater environmental awareness does not reliably translate into choosing less harmful product alternatives.

2019 Sustainability 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainability

This design chapter examines sustainability as a goal for product and system design, connecting everyday products like shampoo bottles and their microplastic-shedding contents to broader environmental challenges. Design choices from product conception through end-of-life determine whether a product contributes to microplastic pollution.

2023
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the Environmental and Health Impacts of Disposable Plastics: Toward Sustainable Material Alternatives

This review examined the environmental and health impacts of disposable plastics and explored sustainable alternatives, drawing on secondary literature across environmental science and health disciplines. The paper assessed plastic waste contributions to ocean pollution and proposed strategies to mitigate these challenges.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

An Examination of Microplastics: Environmental Impact, Sustainability, and Recyclability Innovation

This paper examined the environmental impact of microplastics, sustainability implications of current plastic use, and recycling options to address the plastic pollution crisis. It called for a transition toward circular economy approaches that reduce primary plastic production and increase recycled content.

2024 Journal of Student Research
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the Environmental and Health Impacts of Disposable Plastics: Toward Sustainable Material Alternatives

This review synthesized evidence on the environmental and health impacts of disposable plastics, drawing on environmental science, health studies, and sustainability literature. The paper examined how plastic waste drives ocean pollution and wildlife harm while exploring sustainable alternative materials and policies.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Current research trends on cosmetic microplastic pollution and its impacts on the ecosystem: A review

This review examines the presence of microplastics in personal care, cosmetics, and cleaning products and their environmental impact. Researchers assessed the fate, degradation mechanisms, and routes through which cosmetic microplastics enter the environment. The study also discusses emerging technologies for removing cosmetic microplastics and highlights the need for sustainable alternatives to reduce this domestic source of pollution.

2023 Environmental Pollution 108 citations
Article Tier 2

Eco-design Actions to Improve Life Cycle Environmental Performance of Face Masks in the Pandemic Era

This study evaluated the environmental impact of single-use face masks throughout their life cycle and proposed eco-design strategies to reduce their footprint. The massive increase in disposable mask use during COVID-19 generated significant plastic waste and potential microplastic pollution.

2021 Proceedings of the Design Society 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Research on Application of Environmental Protection Concept in Modern Product Design

This paper explores how principles of environmental sustainability are being integrated into modern product design, examining how green design concepts can reduce ecological impact while meeting consumer needs. The analysis calls for applying low-carbon, circular economy values throughout the product development process.

2023 Highlights in Art and Design
Article Tier 2

Polymers and the eco-design transformation. A cosmetic perspective

This review examines the role of polymers in cosmetic products and strategies for eco-design transformation, analyzing the development of environmentally friendly polymer alternatives that maintain cosmetic performance and safety while reducing microplastic pollution, with attention to biodegradability, renewable sourcing, and regulatory requirements across the product lifecycle.

2025 Green Materials
Article Tier 2

Towards Sustainable Cosmetics Packaging

Not directly relevant to microplastics — this review examines the broader sustainability challenges of cosmetics packaging, including environmental, social, and economic trade-offs, without a specific focus on microplastic pollution.

2023 Preprints.org 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Pollution: Challenges and Innovative Solutions

This review examines the multifaceted challenges of plastic pollution and surveys innovative solutions spanning material design, waste management, and remediation technologies. The paper synthesises current research on microplastic sources, environmental persistence, and emerging approaches to reducing plastic releases into ecosystems.

2024 Environments 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Debris and the Marine Environment: Integrating Transformational Strategies in Achieving a Sustainable Environment

This review examines the sources, environmental pathways, and ecological impacts of marine plastic debris, and discusses transformational strategies including policy intervention, improved waste management, and alternative materials to achieve sustainable ocean management.

2024 Apple Academic Press eBooks
Article Tier 2

Research on Recycling Design of Clothing Textiles Based on Sustainable Development

This review examines sustainable design strategies for recycling and reusing clothing and textiles, covering the full lifecycle from design to end-of-life disposal. Textile recycling is relevant to microplastic pollution because synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed microplastic fibers during washing.

2023 The Frontiers of Society Science and Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Problems of environmental pollution with microplastic waste and ways to solve them

This review examines the widespread presence of microplastics in the environment and their impacts on ecosystems and human health. Researchers highlight the limitations of conventional plastic food packaging and propose sustainable alternatives including bioplastics, edible packaging, and traditional materials like palm leaves. The study provides practical guidelines for transitioning away from conventional plastics to reduce microplastic contamination.

2024 BIO Web of Conferences 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies

This paper is not directly about microplastics; it assesses the environmental sustainability activities of major cosmetics and personal care companies, including OEM/ODM manufacturers and retailers, covering broad issues like climate change, waste, and water use.

2023 Sustainability 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Natural Alternatives to Plastic Wrappers in Disposal of Sanitary Pads: a Review

This review discusses how plastic-heavy disposable sanitary pads contribute to microplastic pollution and environmental waste, and evaluates natural material alternatives including cotton, bamboo, and plant-based polymers that could reduce the environmental footprint of menstrual hygiene products.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka

Researchers applied life cycle assessment to common single-use plastic products in Sri Lanka, quantifying their environmental impacts across production to disposal and providing evidence-based recommendations to guide national plastic pollution policy.

2022 Sustainability 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Design Aesthetics Methods: Chinese Graduate Students Using Laundry Bags in the UK as an Example

This paper is not about microplastics; it is a design research methods article using Chinese graduate students' use of laundry bags in the UK as a case study to demonstrate design research processes.

2023 1 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste: Strategies for Sustainable Management

This systematic review summarizes the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste and evaluates strategies for sustainable management. It highlights that plastic pollution threatens ecosystems and human health through microplastic contamination, and examines approaches like recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and policy interventions to reduce exposure.

2025 International Journal of Integrative Studies (IJIS)
Article Tier 2

Sustentabilidade no processo produtivo da indústria cosmética: uma revisão da literatura

This systematic literature review examined sustainability practices in the cosmetics industry, including the growing concern over microplastic ingredients in cosmetic products. The review identified trends toward greener formulations, sustainable packaging, and consumer-driven pressure for environmental responsibility. The cosmetics sector is increasingly recognizing its environmental impact and exploring alternatives to synthetic microplastics.

2022 Research Society and Development 5 citations
Article Tier 2

The role of sustainable packaging in reducing environmental pollution

This review examines how sustainable packaging — using biodegradable materials, reducing excess packaging, and improving recyclability — can reduce environmental pollution. The paper evaluates different sustainable packaging strategies and their effectiveness at reducing plastic waste, which is the primary source of microplastic pollution.

2023 International Journal of Geography Geology and Environment 1 citations