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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Projected changes in sectoral value added and final demand in 2030 and 2050 (relative to 2020)
ClearThe rate of use of the Circular Economy in individual sectors
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper reviews the adoption of circular economy principles across industrial sectors within the European Union policy framework, without specific focus on plastic pollution.
A Circular Economy of Plastics: A vision of redesigning plastics value chains
This discussion paper outlines a vision for a circular plastics economy in which plastics are designed for reuse, recycling, and bio-based feedstocks rather than single use and disposal. A true circular economy for plastics would dramatically reduce the amount that fragments into microplastics in the environment.
Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter
This policy-oriented paper examines how circular economy measures — including improved collection, reuse, and recycling of plastics — can reduce marine litter and keep plastic materials and their economic value in the economy rather than allowing them to leak into marine environments.
A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis on Plastic Waste Recycling
This bibliometric study maps ten years of global research on plastic waste recycling and circular economy using Scopus and Web of Science, identifying dominant themes, leading countries, and emerging directions. It is primarily a research-landscape analysis with minimal direct content on microplastic formation or health risks, making it only peripheral to microplastic science.
Socio-economic Importance of Biomaterials in the Transition to the Circular Economy Model
Researchers examined the socio-economic role of biomaterials in transitioning economies toward the circular economy model, finding that substituting conventional plastics with bio-based materials can reduce waste accumulation while meeting EU sustainable development targets for 2030.
Economic Impacts and Innovations in Materials Science: a Holistic Exploration of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials
This paper explores the economic impacts of nanotechnology and advanced materials across industries including healthcare, electronics, and energy. While not focused on microplastics specifically, the research is relevant because nanotechnology-based solutions show promise for detecting and removing microplastic pollution from water and the environment. The review highlights how these emerging technologies could play a role in addressing environmental contamination challenges.
Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter
This review argues that circular economy measures — including improved collection, reuse, recycling, and design for end-of-life — are necessary to keep plastic value in the economy while reducing the estimated 5-15 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually. Researchers present a framework of policy and industry measures to transition away from the current linear 'make-use-dispose' model that drives marine litter accumulation.
Life cycle assessment and circular economy in conjunction with treatment methodologies: Presentation and critical comparison between different food industry waste
This review applies life cycle assessment and circular economy principles to multiple food industry sectors to evaluate environmental trade-offs in processing and packaging. While not focused on microplastics specifically, it provides analytical tools applicable to assessing plastic packaging impacts across food supply chains.
Study on China’s Plastic Consumption Trend and Sustainable Development Countermeasures
Despite its title referencing plastic consumption, this paper focuses on forecasting China's future plastic demand and proposing policy frameworks for the plastics industry — not on microplastic pollution or health effects. It examines production trends, packaging, construction, and automotive sectors, and is a policy and economics paper rather than a microplastics science paper.
An Integrated Analysis of Plastic Packaging Value Chain: Identifying Barriers and Enablers for a Circular Economy
Researchers analyzed the full plastic packaging value chain to identify barriers and enablers for transitioning to a circular economy, tracing the evolution of circular economy concepts and quantifying the environmental impacts associated with exponential plastic waste growth. The study provides an integrated framework mapping opportunities for intervention across production, use, collection, and recycling stages.
Circularity and greenhouse gas assessment of the plastic packaging and beverage carton system in the Netherlands until 2050 for a business as usual and a circular scenario
Researchers used the TNO CITS model to assess circularity and greenhouse gas emissions of the Dutch plastic packaging and beverage carton system through 2050 under business-as-usual and circular economy scenarios. The analysis covers seven packaging types and qualitatively addresses microplastics and the potential role of bio-based plastics in the transition.
Polymers in Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability. An overview.
This review examines the role of polymers within the circular economy framework, analyzing strategies for reducing plastic consumption, improving recyclability, and transitioning toward more sustainable production and waste management models. The authors discuss the importance of government regulation and industry standards in driving circular economy adoption, while acknowledging barriers including economic inertia, upfront investment costs, and resistance to systemic change.
Analyzing Government Plans for the Plastic Value Chain in the Latin American Circular Economy
Despite its title referencing the plastic value chain and circular economy in Latin America, this paper analyzes government policy plans for managing plastics through a circular economy lens across Latin American countries — not microplastic pollution directly. It examines how well national plans address lifecycle phases of plastic and is only tangentially relevant to microplastics through the broader context of reducing plastic waste.
Potential contribution of nanotechnolgy to the circular economy of plastic materials
This paper reviews how nanotechnology could support a circular plastic economy by improving recycled plastic properties and enabling catalytic breakdown of plastics into reusable monomers. Nano-additives and nano-catalysts are identified as promising tools for shifting plastic management from linear waste to resource recovery.
Global Material Flow of Macro‐ and Microplastics to Support a Circular Economy
Researchers developed a global material flow analysis of macro- and microplastics to identify where intervention efforts can best support a circular economy. The study found that current plastic waste reduction initiatives are often misaligned with the most impactful leverage points in the plastic material cycle.
Dataset for the review article "From plastic use in the construction and built environment to state-of-the-art circular economy solutions to combat microplastic pollution"
This is a supporting dataset (not a primary research paper) for a review article examining plastic use in the construction sector and circular economy solutions to reduce microplastic pollution from buildings and built infrastructure.
Strategic pathways for sustainable plastic management through a circular economy approach in India
This paper analyzed strategic pathways for sustainable plastic waste management in India through a circular economy lens, examining the environmental and health risks posed by microplastics from inadequate plastic disposal. The authors identify policy, infrastructure, and behavioral interventions needed to reduce India's microplastic burden.
Global Plastics Outlook: Plastic leakage to the environment - projections (Edition 2022)
This dataset presents OECD projections for global plastic leakage into the environment from 2019 to 2060 under baseline and policy scenarios, covering both microplastics and macroplastics. The projections show that without strong policy action, the amount of plastic entering environments where it fragments into microplastics will continue to grow substantially.
Plastics in the Circular Economy
This book examines the role of plastics in the circular economy, reviewing how the current linear plastics economy generates environmental problems including microplastic pollution from fossil oil use and unmanaged plastic waste. The authors assess circular economy strategies including recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and design for disassembly as pathways to maintain the benefits of plastics while reducing their environmental footprint.
Towards a circular economy that begins and ends in nature
This policy paper argues that a truly circular economy must be designed with nature in mind, ensuring that economic activity restores rather than degrades biodiversity, including addressing plastic pollution as a key concern.
Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics [Workshop Report]
This is a workshop summary report about transitioning the U.S. plastics industry toward a circular economy, covering recycling technology, policy gaps, and business models. While it touches on plastic pollution as context, it is primarily a policy and industry roadmap document rather than a research study on microplastic environmental or health risks.
Current Status of Circular Economy Research in Finland
This review surveys the state of circular economy research in Finland, covering academic, policy, and industry perspectives on transitioning away from the linear 'take-make-dispose' model. Circular economy principles are increasingly relevant to addressing plastic waste and microplastic pollution.
Global environmental plastics dispersal under OECD policy scenarios towards 2060
Researchers modeled how global plastic pollution would spread through the environment under different policy scenarios developed by the OECD, looking ahead to 2060. They found that even with ambitious policy action, significant amounts of plastic will continue leaking into aquatic environments unless waste management improves dramatically worldwide. The study suggests that coordinated global policies targeting both plastic production and waste management are essential to curb environmental plastic pollution.
Mapping of global plastic value chain and plastic losses to the environment: with a particular focus on marine environment
This report maps the global plastic value chain from production through use to waste management, estimating that millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with significant regional variation in management capacity. The analysis provides the economic and waste management context needed to understand why plastic pollution — and the resulting microplastic problem — continues to grow globally.