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Abstract
Plastics are organic products. Since their inception, approximately 9.2 billion tons (Mt) of plastic have been produced globally, Annual production remains at approximately 400 million tons, of which only 8% is recycled. The problem with plastic waste is that it fragments into smaller particles known as micro- and nanoplastics. By their very nature, plastics and microplastics (MPs) generate an environmental footprint that is strongly linked to negative effects on human health, decreased ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. Fortunately, research is currently underway to improve plastic degradation strategies in order to avoid generating additional polluting byproducts and reduce the environmental impact.
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