About this Research Topic
The UN World Environment takes place on June 5th. Since 1973 the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) has used this date to raise awareness and generate political momentum around growing concerns, such as the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming. This day has been used as a platform to discuss and spread awareness about environmental issues to inspire change in our consumption habits and change national and international environmental policy. This year also marks the 50th anniversary since the first World Environment Day in 1973.
At this moment in time there is an over dependence on plastic and this needs to be addressed for a long term solution to the plastic pollution problem to be found. It is imperative that the issues surrounding plastic use and waste be explored with a focus on how best to break our dependency and addiction to plastic. This focus can delve into policies behind the production, distribution and recycling of plastic materials, can propose new materials or suitable alternatives to be used as viable replacements for the widespread plastic usage and investigate the lack of adequate recycle centers, plants or access to these contribute to the vast plastic pollution problem facing the world today.
Given the increased role that plastic plays in our everyday life the pollution that accompanies its frequent use cannot be ignored. This over use increases the waste and pollution that accompanies plastic products. A two pronged approach is required to combat this issue. The first is to ensure there are effective waste management processes in place to deal with plastic waste and lower pollution levels. The second requires research into suitable alternatives to plastic products to ensure that both necessary items, such as food packaging etc and luxury items typically contained within plastic are still protected and stored in a safe convenient manner. Finding alternatives to plastics for this purpose will help drastically reduce both waste and pollution caused by plastic.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with this UN day. This occasion not only offers an opportunity to acknowledge the damage caused by plastic pollution, but also to consider the importance of both finding alternatives to plastic use and solutions to the wide use of plastic being in our day to day lives.
This Frontiers in Sustainable Cities Research Topic aims to address the plastic waste management specific dimensions of this UN day, highlighting the importance of providing workable alternatives and solutions to the plastic being used while considering the long term impact that plastic use and pollution can have on the environment, health and available resources.
Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Plastic Pollution
- Microplastics
- Plastics and Health
- Increasing Recycling Rates
- Reusability of plastic
- Alternatives to plastic
- Solutions to plastic pollution
- Plastic Waste
At this moment in time there is an over dependence on plastic and this needs to be addressed for a long term solution to the plastic pollution problem to be found. It is imperative that the issues surrounding plastic use and waste be explored with a focus on how best to break our dependency and addiction to plastic. This focus can delve into policies behind the production, distribution and recycling of plastic materials, can propose new materials or suitable alternatives to be used as viable replacements for the widespread plastic usage and investigate the lack of adequate recycle centers, plants or access to these contribute to the vast plastic pollution problem facing the world today.
Given the increased role that plastic plays in our everyday life the pollution that accompanies its frequent use cannot be ignored. This over use increases the waste and pollution that accompanies plastic products. A two pronged approach is required to combat this issue. The first is to ensure there are effective waste management processes in place to deal with plastic waste and lower pollution levels. The second requires research into suitable alternatives to plastic products to ensure that both necessary items, such as food packaging etc and luxury items typically contained within plastic are still protected and stored in a safe convenient manner. Finding alternatives to plastics for this purpose will help drastically reduce both waste and pollution caused by plastic.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with this UN day. This occasion not only offers an opportunity to acknowledge the damage caused by plastic pollution, but also to consider the importance of both finding alternatives to plastic use and solutions to the wide use of plastic being in our day to day lives.
This Frontiers in Sustainable Cities Research Topic aims to address the plastic waste management specific dimensions of this UN day, highlighting the importance of providing workable alternatives and solutions to the plastic being used while considering the long term impact that plastic use and pollution can have on the environment, health and available resources.
Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Plastic Pollution
- Microplastics
- Plastics and Health
- Increasing Recycling Rates
- Reusability of plastic
- Alternatives to plastic
- Solutions to plastic pollution
- Plastic Waste
Keywords: Plastic Pollution, Microplastics, Plastics and Health, Plastic Alternatives, Plastic Waste, Plastic and the Environment
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
