Themed collection World Earth Day

Few studies consider human behaviour and relationship impacts on how people use and manage plastic.

This paper summarizes recent groundbreaking research and regulations for microplastics and provides critical recommendations to overcome additional barriers.

Chemical pollution poses a threat to biodiversity on a global scale.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

FRAME: Framework for Relevance And Methods Evaluation.

Approaches to regulatory assessment and management of polymers are reviewed and opportunities for improvements are highlighted based on a critical appraisal of current science on their environmental fate and effects.

We report on key findings and knowledge gaps identified regarding measurement and modelling techniques used to quantify deposition of N_r across complex terrain in the UK, which may represent up to 60% of land coverage across Great Britain.

Massive use of disposable masks and mismanagement could raise emerging environmental and bio-safety concerns.

Pathways of human exposure to MPs and associated risks.

The essential-use concept is a tool that can guide the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potentially other harmful substances of concern.

The contextualization of macroplastics in a budget framework can help to improve our understanding of the physical processes determining macroplastic behaviour and impacts in rivers. Hence, better management practices can be adopted.

Microplastics are pollutants highly stable to complete biodegradation and require more specific separation processes for their removal. Classification and potential remediation technologies, such as membrane technology, are discussed in this review.

Harnessing microbial biofabrication coupled to a protocol inspired by indigenous textile processes, we engineer high-performance biotextiles with a sustainable circular life cycle, including the plant and mineral dyed bioleather sneakers shown.

Large fluoropolymer manufacturing plants are major sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment; we measured legacy and emerging PFAS in air to provide insights into near-source PFAS profiles.

Designed program for sustainable solutions to a highly contentious activity, hydraulic fracturing, through an interrelationship study.

We have developed reaction libraries for predicting transformation products of PFAS in a variety of environmental and biological reaction systems.

The Amazon rainforest is the largest source of isoprene emissions to the atmosphere globally.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from industrial and residential sources enter wastewater treatment facilities where they may be partially transformed, sequestered into sludge solids, or discharged into receiving water bodies.