Papers

61,005 results
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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

Disposal of Sanitary Pads

This paper discusses the environmental and public health challenges posed by improper sanitary pad disposal, highlighting that conventional pads release microplastics and toxins as they degrade. The authors advocate for incineration and biodegradable alternatives as solutions.

2024 International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
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

PLA-Chitosan Composites as Sustainable Alternatives for Menstrual Pads

Researchers developed biodegradable PLA-chitosan composite films as an environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene in menstrual pads, demonstrating that the composite maintained absorbency and mechanical integrity while offering antimicrobial properties and full biodegradability.

2025 Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology
Article Tier 2

Disposal of Sanitary Pads

This review addresses the environmental and health risks of improper sanitary pad disposal, noting that pads contain plastics that break down into microplastics and contribute to disease transmission and pollution when not managed correctly.

2024 International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Packaging : a Key to Environmental Sustainability

This paper reviews biodegradable packaging alternatives to conventional plastics, arguing that plant-based materials can reduce microplastic pollution in oceans, soil, and food systems. The authors survey available materials and manufacturing methods as part of a broader case for environmental sustainability.

2024 International Association of Biologicals and Computational Digest
Article Tier 2

Porous Thermoformed Protein Bioblends as Degradable Absorbent Alternatives in Sanitary Materials

This study demonstrates that biodegradable protein-based foams made from industrial byproduct proteins (zein and gluten) can be processed into absorbent pads and films that perform like conventional disposable sanitary products — without the plastic components that shed microplastics. By replacing nonbiodegradable polymer layers in diapers and pads with compostable biopolymers, this approach could cut a major but underappreciated source of microplastic pollution.

2023 ACS Applied Polymer Materials 14 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

Bio-Adhesives Combined with Lotus Leaf Fiber to Prepare Bio-Composites for Substituting the Plastic Packaging Materials

Researchers prepared biodegradable composite packaging materials by combining natural bio-adhesives with lotus leaf fiber, testing mechanical and thermal properties. Natural fiber composites offer an alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.

2021 JOURNAL OF RENEWABLE MATERIALS 7 citations
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

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)
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 Review on Replacing Food Packaging Plastics with Nature-Inspired Bio-Based Materials

Researchers reviewed bio-based materials inspired by nature as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based food packaging plastics. The study highlights that while conventional plastic packaging is effective for food preservation, its environmental impact has driven research into biodegradable and compostable alternatives that could reduce plastic waste and microplastic generation.

2025 Foods 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Future Prospects of Biodegradable Natural Fiber Composites: Innovations and Enhanced Performance in Roofing and Packaging Applications

Despite its title referencing sustainable composites and roofing/packaging, this paper studies the development of biodegradable natural fiber composites (from hemp, jute, and flax) as alternatives to synthetic fiber materials — not microplastic pollution research. It examines materials science for sustainable construction and packaging applications and is not directly relevant to microplastic contamination or human health.

2025 International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

An Eco-friendly Alternative to Polyethylene Microbeads in Personal Healthcare Products

This paper proposes eco-friendly, biodegradable alternatives to polyethylene microbeads used as exfoliants in personal care products like shower gels. Replacing synthetic plastic microbeads with natural materials would reduce a direct source of microplastic pollution entering waterways through drain runoff.

2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT)
Systematic Review Tier 1

Utilizing nature-based adsorbents for removal of microplastics and nanoplastics in controlled polluted aqueous systems: A systematic review of sources, properties, adsorption characteristics, and performance

This systematic review evaluates how natural materials like agricultural waste and plant-based substances can be used to filter microplastics and nanoplastics from water. The research shows that these nature-based solutions offer a sustainable and effective approach to reducing plastic particle contamination in drinking water and wastewater systems.

2025 Next Sustainability 7 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
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Review on Biopolymer-Based Biodegradable Film for Food Packaging: Trends over the Last Decade and Future Research

This systematic review explores biodegradable packaging made from natural materials like starch and proteins as alternatives to conventional plastics. Reducing plastic packaging is important because traditional plastics break down into microplastics that contaminate food and the environment.

2023 Polymers 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-Based Materials for Packaging

This review evaluates bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives for plastic packaging, examining the environmental performance, mechanical properties, and commercial viability of biopolymers in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 30 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
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
Article Tier 2

Potential use of plant leaves and sheath as food packaging materials in tackling plastic pollution: A Review

This review examines research into using plant leaves and sheaths as biodegradable food packaging materials to reduce plastic pollution. Researchers found that considerable progress has been made in demonstrating the feasibility of plant-based packaging, though large-scale production and commercial application remain challenging. The study suggests that plant-derived packaging materials hold significant economic potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.

2024 Ceylon Journal of Science 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Leaves as dining plates, food wraps and food packing material: Importance of renewable resources in Indian culture

Researchers documented the long-standing Indian tradition of using plant leaves as biodegradable food plates and packaging, highlighting their cultural, medicinal, and economic importance as a sustainable alternative to plastic disposables. The authors argue that supporting leaf plate production and restricting plastic alternatives could reduce both plastic pollution and microplastic contamination from single-use items.

2019 Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Possible Contaminants from Sustainable Materials Intended for Food Contact

This paper has limited direct relevance to microplastics; it evaluates chemical contaminants that can migrate from sustainable natural-material food packaging into food and beverages, though its focus is on bio-based packaging alternatives rather than plastic particle pollution.

2024 Sustainability 3 citations