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Plastic Pollution: Challenges and Strategies

In: Handbook of Circular Bioeconomy

Author

Listed:
  • Michael L. McKinney

    (The University of Tennessee, Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences)

  • Douglas G. Hayes

    (The University of Tennessee, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science)

  • Sean M. Schaeffer

    (The University of Tennessee, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science)

  • Annette L. Wszelaki

    (The University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences)

  • Margarita Velandia

    (The University of Tennessee, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics)

Abstract

More sustainable plastics can play a major role in the biocircular economy. Of the trillions of pounds produced each year, less than 10% are recycled. Thus, the vast majority of waste plastic ends up in the natural environment where it participates in all major biogeochemical cycles, often taking centuries to chemically decompose. Importantly, there is a rapidly emerging literature documenting the massive environmental impacts of these plastics, especially in the form of nano- and microplastics, on organismal, ecosystemic, and human health. Here, we focus on one key aspect of this plastic industry: agricultural plastics. We examine efforts to create more biodegradable and biobased plastics, how these efforts have failed, and how they can be improved to better fit the biocircular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael L. McKinney & Douglas G. Hayes & Sean M. Schaeffer & Annette L. Wszelaki & Margarita Velandia, 2026. "Plastic Pollution: Challenges and Strategies," Natural Resource Management and Policy, in: David Zilberman & Jie Zhuang & Justus Wesseler & Madhu Khanna (ed.), Handbook of Circular Bioeconomy, chapter 0, pages 333-357, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nrmchp:978-3-032-07112-5_16
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-07112-5_16
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