Management of Environmental Plastic Pollution: a Comparison of Existing Strategies and Emerging Solutions from Nature

• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-023-06190-2
• Publication Date: 2023-03-13T12:06:10Z
• Authors: Rebecca Amy Dunn; Natalie Ann Welden
• Keywords: Plastic pollution; Biodegradable plastic; Plastic Waste

Abstract The recalcitrance of modern plastics is a key driver the accretion in both waste management streams and environment. As result, plastic has become focal point research public policy. following review summarises effectiveness widespread approaches to management, before exploring recent developments use naturally derived products plastic-degrading organisms reduce burden wastes, including potential value symbiotic relationships between biodegradation To date, strategies have typically focused on interventions influence production consumer behaviour, improvements effective systems increased circularity materials, changes product design increase lifespan its suitability for preferred streams. However, relative success these measures been mixed. Complementary established increasing exploitation biological biochemical processes natural products, identification enzymes which are able biodegrade different at meaningful rates. This frequently focuses microbes from soil marine environments, identifying numerous capable acting polymers or specific functional groups. While questions remain as their outside laboratory conditions, distribution identified species apparent indicates benefits individually symbiosis with an appropriate host species. Graphical Overview life cycle current strategies. Arrows indicate flow material; thicker-lined boxes highlight beyond simple landfilling. Pros cons stages listed above below items, respectively. WWTP: Wastewater treatment plants.