at Google ScholarTitle data
Jahnke, Annika ; Beck, Aaron J. ; Becker, Richard L. ; Bedulina, Daria ; Braun, Ulrike ; Gerdts, Gunnar ; Hildebrandt, Lars ; Joerss, Hanna ; Klein, Ole ; Korduan, Janine ; Laforsch, Christian ; Lannig, Gisela ; Leslie, Heather A. ; Lips, Stefan ; Menger, Frank ; Nabi, Deedar ; Oberbeckmann, Sonja ; Primpke, Sebastian ; Pröfrock, Daniel ; Ramsperger, Anja ; Römerscheid, Mara ; Schmitt-Jansen, Mechthild ; Scholz-Böttcher, Barbara M. ; Tröppner, Oliver ; Wendt-Potthoff, Katrin ; Kühnel, Dana:
Perspective article: Multisectoral considerations to enable a circular
economy for plastics.
In: Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Vol. 496
(2025)
.
- 139326.
ISSN 0304-3894
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139326
Project information
| Project title: |
Project's official title Project's id SFB 1357: MIKROPLASTIK – Gesetzmäßigkeiten der Bildung, des Transports, des physikalisch-chemischen Verhaltens sowie der biologischen Effekte: Von Modell- zu komplexen Systemen als Grundlage neuer Lösungsansätze 391977956 Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future No information |
|---|---|
| Project financing: |
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Helmholtz Association, Innovation Pool Funding of the Research Field Earth and Environment |
Abstract in another language
Plastics are widely used but improper disposal and release lead to increasing global pollution, threatening environmental and human health. To address this issue, we suggest intersectoral collaboration to achieve zero plastic pollution. The outcomes of the project P-LEACH demonstrated the enormous complexity and range of potential toxic effects of plastic-associated chemicals and micro-/nanoplastics released into water from UV-weathered plastics. We initiated an intersectoral dialogue amongst scientists, manufacturers, regulators and representatives of civil society about how to alleviate the negative impacts of plastic pollution. Circular economy offers a framework for selecting non-toxic chemicals, extending product (re)use, and waste reduction, which act to alleviate pollution when applied to plastics. We suggest three measures to advance a circular economy of plastics: 1.) Increase simplicity of chemicals in virgin plastics combined with transparent information on the contents; 2.) Consider recyclability already in plastic material and product design; 3.) Foster communication through intersectoral dialogue. Major cornerstones are the provision of standardized, easy-to-use tools to characterize plastics and plastic leachates chemically and (eco)toxicologically, the enhancement of citizen awareness enabling them to make informed choices, the creation of economic incentives for manufacturers, and sector-specific regulations to provide products that safeguard environmental and human health.