Table 8.

Limitations of microplastic control strategies

Control strategy	Limitations
Reducing plastic and microplastic usage and production	It may not be feasible in some industries or for some products, could be expensive to implement, requires a shift in consumer behaviour, and may not address existing plastic waste
Behavioural changes towards plastic and microplastic products	Public fear of change, lack of trust in alternative products It may take a long time to be achieved, requires a shift in consumer behaviour, may not be feasible for everyone, and may not address existing plastic waste
Using biodegradable plastics	High production cost and low efficacy of bioplastics compared to conventional plastics. Not all biodegradable plastics are biodegradable, and they may not fully address the issue of plastic waste
Recycling and reuse of plastic waste	The unsuitability of recycling and reusing certain plastic wastes, such as medical wastes, particularly during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic The process can be expensive and energy-intensive

Plastic control strategies are highly effective for managing plastic waste to mitigate plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and natural resources. However, some plastic materials, such as medical plastic waste, are more challenging to recycle, particularly in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Using biodegradable plastics or changing individual behaviours also has several challenges.