From plastic use in the construction and built environment to state-of-the-art circular economy solutions to combat microplastic pollution

Abstract

Plastics are widely used in the construction and building industry, accounting for 23.5% of European plastic consumption. They can replace traditional materials in various applications, including building insulation, piping, paints, adhesives, sealants, roofing, flooring, etc., serve as key components in various composites, and are indispensable for packaging materials and elements that facilitate the construction process itself. Despite their long lifespan, building materials inevitably degrade over time, releasing microplastics (MPs) that contribute to environmental pollution. According to some estimates, annual emissions of MPs in the European Union range from 0.7 to 1.8 Mt, with building paints identified as a dominant source, contributing between 231,000 and 863,000 tons per year. However, reported numbers vary significantly across studies, reflecting the substantial uncertainties still present in quantifying MPs. Now ubiquitous across ecosystems worldwide, MPs have become one of the most pressing concerns of the scientific community, leading to a rapid expansion of research in recent years. Yet less than 0.6% of studies focus on their presence in the construction and building sector, leaving this major industry largely overlooked. This review consolidates scattered knowledge by examining the applications of plastics in the construction and built environment and their role in microplastic generation throughout the materials' life cycle, from production and application to use and end-of-life management. It also examines MPs within the broader framework of sustainable development, particularly in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, where MPs could potentially be repurposed as secondary raw materials for new products. Particular emphasis is placed on recent research exploring the incorporation of MPs into construction materials, while highlighting state-of-the-art solutions that demonstrate their potential commercial viability. Moreover, this article raises awareness of the potential risks associated with such practices, offering authors' critical perspective on existing research and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their impacts. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge, this review lays the groundwork for advancing future research, developing mitigation strategies, and fostering more sustainable material management in the construction and building sector.