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The Devastation of Waste Plastic on the Environment and Remediation Processes: A Critical Review

Author

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  • Katleho Keneuwe Khoaele

    (Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan

    (Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4001, South Africa
    School of Engineering, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Viren Chunilall

    (Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4001, South Africa
    School of Engineering, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Bruce Sithole

    (School of Engineering, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa)

Abstract

The devastating effect of plastic waste on the ecosystem due to the rapid increase in population has been a concern. Although stakeholders and governments invested in efforts to mitigate plastic waste, their exertions have limited to no effects as the demand for plastic increases annually. Emerging practical advancements in recycling plastic have been critical for achieving a sustainable circular economy. This study reviews the adverse effect of plastic waste on the environment and the inhabiting creature, the regulation for managing plastic waste, and their limitations. This scoping review also provides information on the current route for reducing plastic waste by defining its sources and their applications. After identifying the generation of plastic waste, the plastic polymers are categorized according to the hazard ranking of their monomers according to their environmental toxicity, damaging the inhabiting creature. The discharge pathways of plastic waste into the environment and aquatic systems leading to white pollution and climate change were also determined. Conversion of plastic waste through the remedial channel by manufacturing value-added products using techniques such as reusing, recycling, and energy recovery, reducing the disposal of plastic waste in landfills is outlined. The information on remedial processes provided in this study will help reduce plastic waste from the environment. In addition, correctly applying these suggestions may help reduce environmental pollution and the death of inhabiting creations. Further research is necessary to convert plastic waste as raw materials into high-value products to achieve a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Katleho Keneuwe Khoaele & Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan & Viren Chunilall & Bruce Sithole, 2023. "The Devastation of Waste Plastic on the Environment and Remediation Processes: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5233-:d:1098340
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rojas-Flores Segundo & De La Cruz-Noriega Magaly & Cabanillas-Chirinos Luis & Nélida Milly Otiniano & Nancy Soto-Deza & Nicole Terrones-Rodríguez, 2024. "Reducing Plastic Waste and Generating Bioelectricity Simultaneously through Fuel Cells Using the Fungus Pleurotus ostreatus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Kholofelo Clifford Malematja & Funzani Asnath Melato & Ntebogeng Sharon Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, 2023. "The Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa and the Degradation of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments—A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-19, December.

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