Plastic pollution is central to policy and public debates about anthropogenic damage to the environment. Negotiations for an international binding treaty to end plastic pollution provide a timely opportunity to analyse peer-reviewed papers concerning public perceptions of plastic pollution (n = 39). These focused on the impact of plastic pollution solely on the marine ecosystem, single-use plastics, barriers to recycling and risks of microplastics. Research studies explored public perceptions of ‘plastic pollution’, ‘marine plastic litter’, ‘marine plastic pollution’ and ‘plastic marine debris’. These terms are not interchangeable and frame the problem. Awareness links to media representations and personal ‘choices’ are limited by lack of options (extended producer responsibility schemes). There was limited discussion of reducing the aggregate global volume of plastics produced. Future research could explore perceptions of risk (toxic chemicals, bioplastics) plastics and climate change or plastics and global biodiversity loss (beyond turtles). The social meaning of plastics, the heterogeneity of audiences and the role of media in framing risks can help inform plastics-related policy. Social Sciences and media scholars are well placed to unpack the socio-cultural context in which plastics are intertwined in people’s everyday lives and how social meanings of plastics may change in response to global crises.
Review
Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate
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- 06 November 2023, e21
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Review
A little less conversation: How existing governance can strengthen the future global plastics treaty
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 November 2023, e22
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Overview Review
An overview of the occurrence and distribution of plastics in wastewater treatment plants and the necessity of developing up-to-date management strategies
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- 17 November 2023, e23
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Corrigendum
Risky plastics and the limits to consumer responsibilization – CORRIGENDUM
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- 27 December 2023, e24
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