Our reliance on plastic products, coupled with their longevity in the environment, where they break down into smaller fragments, has led to microplastic pollution becoming a global and ubiquitous problem.

The management of microplastics is complex. Microplastics are diverse in their physical and chemical structure, have many routes to environmental impact and there are difficulties in isolating specific materials in plastic recycling. A lack of analytical tools to identify and quantify microplastics adds to the challenges, as does a shortage of research on public attitudes and behavioural change around microplastics. 

According to the researchers behind this new study, this complexity requires an integrated approach that combines interdisciplinary techniques and involves multiple groups, or ‘helixes’, in society. They propose the use of the quintuple helix framework to manage this complexity.

The quintuple helix framework approach, first introduced in 2010, positions the environment as a stakeholder, rather than a passive component. It, thus, emphasises the active role of ecology in facing environmental challenges. 

It conceptualises its five major stakeholders as dynamic and interactive and focuses on the co-production and exchange of knowledge. The aim is to produce policy that addresses the multifaceted nature of the microplastic problem with a holistic solution that has buy-in from stakeholders. 

The study describes the roles of five helixes and the unique insights they offer to the microplastic challenge:

• Academia is essential in data collection and monitoring, educational programmes and public engagement, and technological advancements. 
• Government collaborates with stakeholders to formulate and enforce regulation.
• Industry is influential through supply-chain management, sustainable product development and corporate social responsibility. 
• Civil society organisations raise public awareness and advocate for policy change, and enable community engagement, collaboration and partnership. 
• The role of the environment focuses on ecological impact assessment, conservation and restoration, and monitoring and surveillance. 

The study describes the benefits of this approach to microplastic management and the challenges around managing diverse interests and priorities. The benefits of using the quintuple helix model include: 

• More effective policies. The quintuple helix approach ensures a diversity of perspectives in policy development and policies that are not just led by government. Involving the public can accelerate the translation of research into practical solutions and improve implementation. Placing the environment as a stakeholder helps ensure the sustainability of policy. 
• Continuous improvement. Ongoing feedback from the five groups of stakeholders allows a feedback loop for innovation, that is, the continuous development of ideas, technologies and policies. To be successful, good communication and a transparent process are essential. An example is Canada’s classification in 2021 of plastic as a toxic substance under the Canada Environmental Protection Act, which involved engagement with multiple stakeholders. 
• Public engagement. Through the inclusion of civic society and the environment, the quintuple helix approach promotes public engagement with research, commercial products and policy. An example is the work led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNEP and the International Trade Centre who together spearheaded efforts to promote sustainable packaging, national recycling programmes and the development of reusable, renewable or recyclable packaging. 
• Environmental resilience. Placing the environment as a stakeholder means effective standards must be developed to assess microplastic exposure, hazards and impact. By harmonising data collection and analysis, policymakers can develop more effective strategies to mitigate the impact of microplastics. 

The new study proposed that this approach will result in policy and action that addresses the complex challenges of microplastic pollution and ties in with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

It concludes with a case study of Sunway City in Malaysia that illustrates how the quintuple helix approach was used to implement a plastic ban. This involved legislation to ban single-use plastics, researchers working on innovation to turn plastic waste into valuable products, businesses involved in sustainable practices, such as banning single-use straws, and NGOs and community groups promoting educational programmes and community clear-ups. The researchers highlight that a lack of data prevents the evaluation of this case study and there is a need to collect data to enable this in the future.   

Source: 

Dewika, M., Markandan, K., Nor Ruwaida, J., Sara, Y.Y., Deb, A., Ahmad Irfan, N. and Khalid, M. (2024) Integrating the quintuple helix approach into atmospheric microplastics management policies for planetary health preservation. Science of The Total Environment 954: 176063.

To cite this article/service:

“Science for Environment Policy”: European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service, edited by SCU, The University of the West of England, Bristol.

Notes on content:

The contents and views included in Science for Environment Policy are based on independent, peer reviewed research and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission. Please note that this article is a summary of only one study. Other studies may come to other conclusions.