Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review
Plastic pollution has been recognized as an emerging risk for the aquatic environment. Shifting from the prevailing linear “take-make-dispose” model to a “circular” economy framework is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics. Microplastics (MPs) in the natural environment are...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1245 |
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| author | Evmorfia Athanasopoulou Deborah M. Power Emmanouil Flemetakis Theofania Tsironi |
| author_facet | Evmorfia Athanasopoulou Deborah M. Power Emmanouil Flemetakis Theofania Tsironi |
| author_sort | Evmorfia Athanasopoulou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plastic pollution has been recognized as an emerging risk for the aquatic environment. Shifting from the prevailing linear “take-make-dispose” model to a “circular” economy framework is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics. Microplastics (MPs) in the natural environment are formed when synthetic polymers are fragmented and micronized to a size ≤ 5 mm. MPs are a global environmental problem, particularly within aquatic ecosystems, due to their persistence, accumulation, and uncertain long-term effects. This review examines the degradation pathways of polymers that result in MP formulation, their rate and distribution across ecosystems, and their potential entry into food systems. Key challenges include a lack of standardized detection methods, specifically for nanoparticles; limited evidence of long-term toxicity; and the inefficiency of current waste management frameworks. Emphasis is placed on the cradle-to-grave lifecycle of plastic materials, highlighting how poor design, excessive packaging, and inadequate post-consumer treatment contribute to MP release. The transition from Directive 94/62/EC to the new Regulation (EU) 2025/40 marks a significant policy shift towards stronger preventive measures. In line with the waste hierarchy and reduction in unnecessary packaging and plastic use, effective recycling must be supported by appropriate collection systems, improved separation processes, and citizen education to prevent waste and improve recycling rates to minimize the accumulation of MPs in the environment and reduce health impacts. This review identifies critical gaps in current knowledge and suggests crucial approaches in order to mitigate MP pollution and protect marine biodiversity and public health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aefda2030fd0488f9da4638c686f4057 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-aefda2030fd0488f9da4638c686f40572025-08-20T03:08:01ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-06-01137124510.3390/jmse13071245Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini ReviewEvmorfia Athanasopoulou0Deborah M. Power1Emmanouil Flemetakis2Theofania Tsironi3Laboratory of Food Process Engineering, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceCentro de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000-117 Faro, PortugalLaboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Food Process Engineering, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, GreecePlastic pollution has been recognized as an emerging risk for the aquatic environment. Shifting from the prevailing linear “take-make-dispose” model to a “circular” economy framework is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics. Microplastics (MPs) in the natural environment are formed when synthetic polymers are fragmented and micronized to a size ≤ 5 mm. MPs are a global environmental problem, particularly within aquatic ecosystems, due to their persistence, accumulation, and uncertain long-term effects. This review examines the degradation pathways of polymers that result in MP formulation, their rate and distribution across ecosystems, and their potential entry into food systems. Key challenges include a lack of standardized detection methods, specifically for nanoparticles; limited evidence of long-term toxicity; and the inefficiency of current waste management frameworks. Emphasis is placed on the cradle-to-grave lifecycle of plastic materials, highlighting how poor design, excessive packaging, and inadequate post-consumer treatment contribute to MP release. The transition from Directive 94/62/EC to the new Regulation (EU) 2025/40 marks a significant policy shift towards stronger preventive measures. In line with the waste hierarchy and reduction in unnecessary packaging and plastic use, effective recycling must be supported by appropriate collection systems, improved separation processes, and citizen education to prevent waste and improve recycling rates to minimize the accumulation of MPs in the environment and reduce health impacts. This review identifies critical gaps in current knowledge and suggests crucial approaches in order to mitigate MP pollution and protect marine biodiversity and public health.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1245aquatic environmentmicroplasticspackaging materialsplastic contamination |
| spellingShingle | Evmorfia Athanasopoulou Deborah M. Power Emmanouil Flemetakis Theofania Tsironi Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review Journal of Marine Science and Engineering aquatic environment microplastics packaging materials plastic contamination |
| title | Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review |
| title_full | Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review |
| title_fullStr | Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review |
| title_short | Towards the Rational Use of Plastic Packaging to Reduce Microplastic Pollution: A Mini Review |
| title_sort | towards the rational use of plastic packaging to reduce microplastic pollution a mini review |
| topic | aquatic environment microplastics packaging materials plastic contamination |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1245 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT evmorfiaathanasopoulou towardstherationaluseofplasticpackagingtoreducemicroplasticpollutionaminireview AT deborahmpower towardstherationaluseofplasticpackagingtoreducemicroplasticpollutionaminireview AT emmanouilflemetakis towardstherationaluseofplasticpackagingtoreducemicroplasticpollutionaminireview AT theofaniatsironi towardstherationaluseofplasticpackagingtoreducemicroplasticpollutionaminireview |