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Standardising plastic terminology

Table 1. Overview of a structured methodology for terminology standardization in plastic pollution
discourse

Component Description
Research approach Structured literature review
Objective To analyze terminological inconsistencies in polymer science and plastic pollution discourse and
propose a standardization framework
Data sources Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect
Timeframe of literature 2020 – 2025 (to ensure relevance and alignment with recent scientific and policy developments)
Selection criteria - Peer-reviewed articles, reports, and policy papers related to plastic pollution and polymer
terminology
- Publications address definitional inconsistencies and their impact on scientific discourse and
policymaking.
Data extraction - Identification of commonly used definitions for plastics, polymers, and macromolecules
- Analysis of inconsistencies in terminology usage across disciplines
- Assessment of policy implications and recommendations.
Framework development - Alignment with International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry principles for
standardization
- Classification of plastics based on composition, function, and environmental impact
- Proposal of terminology standardization model for academic, industrial, and policy applications.
Expected contribution - Improved clarity and consistency in polymer science terminology
- Enhanced communication between researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders
- A foundation for more effective regulatory and environmental management strategies.

from precision. As Hartmann et al. noted, the lack of Figure 1: A macromolecule resembles a single strand of
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internationally harmonized definitions contributes to noodle, whereas a polymer is the entire bowl composed
terminological confusion across research, legislation, of multiple strands of noodles.
and public discourse. Similarly, the report of Zhu and In essence, macromolecules can exist independently,
Wang. highlights the inconsistent usage of “polymer,” but polymers cannot exist without comprising multiple
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“plastic,” and “material” when discussing biodegradable macromolecules. A polymer’s bulk properties depend
alternatives. As summarized in Table 2, even reports in on the collective characteristics of its constituent
reputable journals employ these terms synonymously, macromolecules, such as molecular weight distribution,
often without differentiating between raw resins, chain length, and polydispersity index. 38-41 Unlike
compounded products, and processed articles. small molecules with discrete melting points, polymers
According to Figge et al., a valid definition must exhibit continuous properties, such as melting or
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include a definiendum (the term being defined) and a glass transition ranges, because of variations among
definiens (its conceptual boundaries). Good definitions chains. 21,22,29,42 Further complicating matter is polymer
are inclusive yet specific and free of counterexamples. memory, the phenomenon whereby the history of
Existing definitions of macromolecule (i.e., large processing conditions (e.g., thermal or mechanical)
molecules composed of repeating chemical units) can influence future behavior through residual stresses
and polymer (i.e., composed of macromolecules) do or orientation effects. 42-44 This means even polymers of
not always meet this standard. For instance, proteins, identical chemical composition can behave differently
such as hemoglobin and nucleic acids, such as DNA based on processing, aging, and external stimuli. 39,43,44
are classified as macromolecules, despite lacking Such variability defies one-size-fits-all modeling and
strictly repeating monomeric sequences. 34-37 In reinforces that no two polymers are ever truly identical,
contrast, materials, such as polythene and polystyrene even if synthesized from the same monomers.
are composed of chemically identical repeating units Ambiguous terminology undermines scientific
(e.g., ethylene or styrene), meeting the formal criterion rigor and complicates environmental regulation,
for polymers. 5,21,29 Hence, while all polymers are materials classification, and policy development. 31,32,45
composed of macromolecules, not all macromolecules Establishing clear distinctions between macromolecules
are polymers. 21,29 This distinction is illustrated in and polymers is essential for academic precision

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