@Article{jrm.2019.08055,
AUTHOR = {Gregory Reimonn, Taofeng Lu, Neeti Gandhi, Wan-Ting Chen},
TITLE = {Review of Microplastic Pollution in the Environment and Emerging Recycling Solutions},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Renewable Materials},
VOLUME = {7},
YEAR = {2019},
NUMBER = {12},
PAGES = {1251--1268},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jrm/v7n12/38027},
ISSN = {2164-6341},
ABSTRACT = {Microplastic pollution represents a side-effect stemming from a global
plastic waste mismanagement problem and includes degraded particles or mass
produced plastic particles less than 5 mm in largest dimension. The small nature
of microplastics gives this area of pollution different environmental concerns than
general plastic waste in the environment. The biological toxicity of particles, their
internal components, and their surface level changes all present opportunities for
these particles to adversely affect the environment around them. Thus, it is
necessary to review the current literature surrounding this topic and identify areas
where the study of microplastic can be pushed forward. Here we present current
methods in studying microplastics, some of the ways by which microplastics affect
the environment and attempt to shed light on how this research can continue. In
addition, we review current recycling methods developing for the processing of
mixed-plastic waste. These methods, including hydrothermal processing and
solvent extraction, provide a unique opportunity to separate plastic waste and
improve the viability of the plastics recycling industry.},
DOI = {10.32604/jrm.2019.08055}
}