Reducing marine pollution from single-use plastics (SUPs): A review

Schnurr, Riley E.J.; Alboiu, Vanessa; Chaudhary, Meenakshi; Corbett, Roan A.; Quanz, Meaghan; Sankar, Karthikeshwar; Srain, Harveer S.; Thavarajah, Venukasan; Xanthos, Dirk; Walker, Tony R.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.001

Cited by 423 publications

(247 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…UNEP 2018). Single-use plastic bag interventions (e.g., bans or levies) have been reported to reduce plastic bag use between 33-96% which help mitigate single-use plastic marine pollution (Schnurr et al 2018).…”

Section: ˂Fig 2˃mentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution

Karbalaei

Hanachi

Walker

et al. 2018

Environ Sci Pollut Res

Self Cite

447

168

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The presence and accumulation of plastic and microplastic (MP) debris in the natural environment is of increasing concern and has become the focus of attention for many researchers. Plastic debris is a prolific, long-lived pollutant, that is highly resistant to environmental degradation, readily adheres hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants and is linked to morbidity and mortality in numerous aquatic organisms. The prevalence of MPs within the natural environment are a symptom of continuous and rapid growth in synthetic plastic production and mismanagement of plastic waste. Many terrestrial and marine-based processes, including domestic and industrial drainage, maritime activities agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent, contribute to MP pollution in aquatic environments. MPs have been identified in food consumed by human and in air samples, and exposure to MPs via ingestion or inhalation could lead to adverse human health effects. Regulations in many countries have already been established or will soon be implemented to reduce MPs in aquatic environments. This review focuses on the occurrence, sources, and transport of MPs in terrestrial and aquatic environments to highlight potential human health effects, and applicable regulations to mitigate impacts of MPs. This study also highlights the importance of personality traits and cognitive ability in reducing the entry of MPs into the environment.

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Section: ˂Fig 2˃mentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution

Karbalaei

Hanachi

Walker

et al. 2018

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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447

168

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“…As a result, the plastic straw pollution, with ≈8.3 billion ones polluting the beaches and oceans around the world, is causing rising concern globally (Figure 1b). [ 5,10,11 ] To solve this problem, there are increasing bans to plastic straws being enacted by both local governments (e.g., Washington D.C.) and large corporates (e.g., Starbucks, with ≈1 billion plastic straw consumption annually). [ 11 ] Tremendous efforts have been made in the past few decades to develop synthetic degradable and more environmental‐friendly polymers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

All‐Natural, Degradable, Rolled‐Up Straws Based on Cellulose Micro‐ and Nano‐Hybrid Fibers

Wang

Pang

Chen

et al. 2020

Adv Funct Materials

138

101

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Among all the plastic pollution, straws have brought particularly intricate problems since they are single use, consumed in a large volume, cannot be recycled in most places, and can never be fully degraded. To solve this problem, replacements for plastic straws are being developed following with the global trend of plastic straw bans. Nevertheless, none of the available degradable alternatives are satisfactory due to drawbacks including poor natural degradability, high cost, low mechanical performance, and poor water stability. Here, all-natural degradable straws are designed by hybridizing cellulose nanofibers and microfibers in a binder-free manner. Straws are fabricated by rolling up the wet hybrid film and sealed by the internal hydrogen bonding formed among the cellulose fibers after drying. The cellulose hybrid straws show exceptional behaviors including 1) excellent mechanical performance (high tensile strength of ≈70 MPa and high ductility with a fracture strain of 12.7%), 2) sufficient hydrostability (10× wet mechanical strength compared to commercial paper straw), 3) low cost, and 4) high natural degradability. Given the low-cost raw materials, the binder-free hybrid design based on cellulose structure can potentially be a suitable solution to solve the environmental challenges brought by the enormous usage of plastics straws.

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“…Experts call for more policy solutions (177)(178)(179) and there is evidence that policy agendas can be influenced by popular norms (34,180). Others argue that informal associations such as waste-picker cooperatives (35,36,181,182) should be strengthened to improve solid waste systems.…”

Section: Upstream Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Solid Wastes Provide Breeding Sites, Burrows, and Food for Biological Disease Vectors, and Urban Zoonotic Reservoirs: A Call to Action for Solutions-Based Research

Krystosik

Njoroge

Odhiambo

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

122

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Background: Infectious disease epidemiology and planetary health literature often cite solid waste and plastic pollution as risk factors for vector-borne diseases and urban zoonoses; however, no rigorous reviews of the risks to human health have been published since 1994. This paper aims to identify research gaps and outline potential solutions to interrupt the vicious cycle of solid wastes; disease vectors and reservoirs; infection and disease; and poverty. Methods: We searched peer-reviewed publications from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Stanford Searchworks, and references from relevant articles using the search terms ("disease" OR "epidemiology") AND ("plastic pollution," "garbage," and "trash," "rubbish," "refuse," OR "solid waste"). Abstracts and reports from meetings were included only when they related directly to previously published work. Only articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese through 2018 were included, with a focus on post-1994, after the last comprehensive review was published. Cancer, diabetes, and food chain-specific articles were outside the scope and excluded. After completing the literature review, we further limited the literature to "urban zoonotic and biological vector-borne diseases" or to "zoonotic and biological vector-borne diseases of the urban environment." Results: Urban biological vector-borne diseases, especially Aedes-borne diseases, are associated with solid waste accumulation but vector preferences vary over season and region. Urban zoonosis, especially rodent and canine disease reservoirs, are associated with solid waste in urban settings, especially when garbage accumulates over time, creating burrowing sites and food for reservoirs. Although evidence suggests the link between plastic pollution/solid waste and human disease, measurements are not standardized, confounders are not rigorously controlled, and the quality of evidence varies. Here we propose a framework for solutions-based research in three areas: innovation, education, and policy. Krystosik et al. Solid Wastes and Disease Vectors and Reservoirs Conclusions: Disease epidemics are increasing in scope and scale with urban populations growing, climate change providing newly suitable vector climates, and immunologically naïve populations becoming newly exposed. Sustainable solid waste management is crucial to prevention, specifically in urban environments that favor urban vectors such as Aedes species. We propose that next steps should include more robust epidemiological measurements and propose a framework for solutions-based research.

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Reducing marine pollution from single-use plastics (SUPs): A review

Cited by 423 publications

References 44 publications

Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution

Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution

All‐Natural, Degradable, Rolled‐Up Straws Based on Cellulose Micro‐ and Nano‐Hybrid Fibers

Solid Wastes Provide Breeding Sites, Burrows, and Food for Biological Disease Vectors, and Urban Zoonotic Reservoirs: A Call to Action for Solutions-Based Research

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