Circular Economy Approach for Plastic Pollution Management and Control in the Era of Climate Change

Abstract

Plastic contamination presents a long-term cross-national environmental challenge, which influences the environment, health of people, and generates climatic shifts with the discharge of greenhouse gases. The conventional linear ways of producing plastics, and disposing of the same, through the management based on the take-make-dispose model, are insufficient to handle the increasing mass of plastic waste. The paper reviews circular economy approaches as viable options in the management of plastics to reduce, reuse, recycle, design, waste to energy, and digital technologies (artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain). Special attention was paid to microbial degradation which involves their producing enzymes that can break down plastics into degradable monomers. Recycling was also discussed in relation to its mechanical, chemical and bio methods, which have the potential to recover materials, energy and have reduced negative effects on the environment. The paper concludes that the significance of the multi-stakeholder involvement involving government, industries and communities in the application of the effective circular strategies is important. The combination of microbial innovations with policy, industrial practice, and community participation can help make plastics more than a liability to the environment, reduce climate change, and encourage sustainable development.