Catalogue of technologies to address the risks of contamination of water bodies with plastics and microplastics

Nikiema, Josiane; Asiedu, Zipporah; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Saad, Dalia; Lamizana, B.

Catalogue of technologies to address the risks of contamination of water bodies with plastics and microplastics

Autores

Nikiema, Josiane

Asiedu, Zipporah

Mateo-Sagasta, Javier

Saad, Dalia

Lamizana, B.

Editor

United Nations Environment Programme

Descripción

Plastic and microplastic contamination in aquatic environments is escalating due to rapid urbanization, increasing plastic consumption, and insufficient waste management infrastructure. A wide range of technological interventions ranging from upstream prevention to downstream treatment has emerged to mitigate the release of plastic pollutants into water bodies. Preventive measures include design improvements in textiles to reduce microfiber shedding, implementation of household filters, and behavioral change strategies to minimize single-use plastics. In urban landscapes, runoff pre-treatment systems, such as retention ponds and constructed wetlands, help capture plastics before they reach open waters. At the municipal level, wastewater treatment systems play a pivotal role. Primary treatment stages effectively remove larger particles, while advanced tertiary filtration, including membrane bioreactors and rapid sand filters, targets microplastics. Downstream interventions, such as litter traps, river booms, and floating debris collectors (e.g., Seabins), are used to extract plastics from surface waters, particularly in high-traffic urban waterways. The selection and effectiveness of these technologies depend on local hydrology, pollutant load, regulatory frameworks, and available infrastructure. Equity considerations are also essential. Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately exposed to health risks linked to plastic waste and should be actively included in policy and system design. Context-specific, integrated solutions are necessary to ensure both environmental and social sustainability.

Palabras clave

wastewater treatment, technology, microplastics, contamination, treatment plants, water pollution, plastics, risk, waste management, recycling, drinking water treatment, sewage sludge, landfill leachates, waste incineration, industrial wastewater, effluents, filtration, sea pollution, wetlands, cost benefit analysis, maintenance, developing countries, gender, women, policies, investment