Improved science-based transformation pathways for the development of safe and sustainable plastics

Environment International, vol. 160, pp. 107055

Abstract

Projected plastic production volumes are rising, as is societal and political attention to plastic pollution and possible health impacts. In line with ambitions for climate mitigation and the circular economy, various national and international policies and action plans address the reduction of impacts of plastics. Quantitative scenario analyses show that even if current ambitious targets to reduce plastics are achieved, plastics will remain a source of millions of tons of environmental pollution annually. To achieve a sustainable transformation of the global plastics economy, 'extraordinary effort' and 'coordinated global action' beyond current ambitions are needed. While mapping knowledge gaps for the effects of micro and nano plastics (MNP) is crucial, mapping alone is not enough to achieve the needed transition. In this communication, we propose a scope for the exploration of societal transformation pathways to safe and sustainable plastics. To see which efforts are needed globally we need to advance in the following three areas: (i) embedding risk assessment methodologies in wider cost-benefit and life cycle analyses; (ii) using safe-and-sustainable design strategies that include alternative solutions and look at multiple life cycles, and (iii) reflecting on the societal transformation pathways with stakeholders by using co-created quantitative models. We believe that these practices are crucial in the coming decade to realise the extraordinary effort of defining safe and sustainable plastics.

Authors 7

1. Susanne L. Waaijers corresponding

   National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands. Electronic address: susanne.waaijers@rivm.nl

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

2. Anne R. van Bruggen

   National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands. Electronic address: anne.van.bruggen@rivm.nl

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

3. Nick R. M. Beijer

   National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands. Electronic address: nick.beijer@rivm.nl

   Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

4. Adriënne J.A.M. Sips

   National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands. Electronic address: adrienne.sips@rivm.nl

   Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

5. Ana Maria de Roda Husman

   Utrecht University · National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Science (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, Utrecht 3584 CM, the Netherlands. Electronic address: ana.maria.de.roda.husman@rivm.nl

   Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

   Institute for Risk Assessment Science (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, Utrecht 3584 CM, the Netherlands

6. Flemming R. Cassee

   Utrecht University · National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Science (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, Utrecht 3584 CM, the Netherlands. Electronic address: flemming.cassee@rivm.nl

   Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

   Institute for Risk Assessment Science (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, Utrecht 3584 CM, the Netherlands

7. Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University · National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands; Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, Leiden 2333 CC, the Netherlands. Electronic address: willie.peijnenburg@rivm.nl

   Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands

   Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, Leiden 2333 CC, the Netherlands