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Standardising plastic terminology

Table 4. Overview of plastic-related terminological inconsistencies across major regulatory bodies and
standard organizations

Regulatory body/region Present definition/term Inconsistency Implication
European Union Directive Plastic=polymer-based Omits additive Overbroad bans, e.g., on pure
2019/904 material requirement expanded polystyrene
United States Environmental Biodegradable=breaks down Allows microplastic Mislabeling harmful materials as
Protection Agency in <1 year fragmentation “eco-friendly”
International Union of Pure Polymer versus Precise distinction Not widely adopted in policy or
and Applied Chemistry macromolecule versus plastic industry
American Society for Testing Varies by committee Lack of harmonization Conflicts in international trade and
and Materials/ISO (e.g., D883, ISO 472) labeling
International Organization for Standardization

To effectively address these challenges and standards, undermining progress in combating plastic
promote a harmonized understanding of plastic-related pollution.
terminology, we propose a standardized framework that Meanwhile, rapid innovation in material science,
aligns with global scientific, industrial, and regulatory from novel biodegradable polymers to advanced
standards (Table 3 and Figure 4). This framework composite plastics, demands that definitions and
ensures that definitions and classifications are regulations keep pace with these advances. Meeting this
universally understood, preventing misinterpretations challenge requires systemic change. We must overhaul
and facilitating more effective policymaking. how plastics are defined and categorized across
scientific discourse and legal frameworks by grounding
8. Conclusion definitions in robust scientific consensus (such as
IUPAC guidelines) and adopting them universally. This
As illustrated in the summary Table 4, clear and precise shift should extend beyond academia and government:
terminology is far more than a semantic detail and is Standardized language about plastics must permeate
foundational for effective environmental science, policy, industry practices, educational curricula, and public
and management. Yet today, ambiguity in defining basic discourse, ensuring a common understanding among all
terms, such as “plastic” and “polymer” has fostered stakeholders.
misaligned policies, inefficient resource allocation, and By embracing clear, standardized definitions of
inconsistent mitigation efforts. plastics and plastic pollution, the global community
As plastic pollution escalates worldwide, the need to can establish a shared foundation for action. A common
reassess how we define and classify plastics becomes language will facilitate more effective waste management
increasingly urgent. For example, as research reveals and recycling initiatives, while also ensuring more
new long-term health and ecological impacts of plastic coherent regulations worldwide. Ultimately, addressing
debris, outdated definitions often fail to capture the terminological ambiguity is not just an academic
full scope of these risks, resulting in regulations that exercise but a catalyst for stronger global stewardship.
lag behind scientific reality. Moreover, plastics are Embracing a common language empowers science-
highly complex materials, frequently composites based policies, unifies international efforts, and bolsters
of multiple polymers, additives, and degradation our capacity to preserve environmental and human
byproducts, and simplistic definitions cannot account health for future generations.
for this complexity. Such oversimplification hampers
our ability to accurately assess environmental risks and Acknowledgments
devise targeted management strategies.
At the global level, a harmonized lexicon for plastics None.
is essential to coordinate international efforts and
enforce environmental agreements. Without alignment Funding
in terminology, countries maintain inconsistent plastic
waste classifications, recycling practices, and regulatory None.

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 9 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025200158