The continuous production and widespread applications of synthetic plastics and their waste present immense environmental challenges and damage living systems. Microplastics (MPs) have become of great concern in various ecosystems due to their high stability and decomposition into smaller fragments such as nano-plastics (NPs). Nevertheless, MPs and NPs can be removed from the environment using several physical, chemical, and microbiological methods. This study presents a comprehensive narrative literature review, which aims to explore the various types of MPs and NPs, their sources, fate, toxicity, and impact on human health and environment. To achieve this aim, the study employed a comprehensive literature review methodology. In addition, it summarizes various methods of sample collection and analysis techniques. Remediation strategies for MPs and NPs removal are assessed and compared. Furthermore, it highlights interlinkages between the sustainable development goals (SDGs)—specifically SDG 14—and plastic pollution. Overall, priority for research and development in the field of MPs and NPs impacts on ecological ecosystems is a must as this will enable the development of scientific polices driven by global collaboration and governance which in turn will develop tools and methodologies that measure the impacts and risk of plastic pollution.

The industrial sector plays a vital role in economic development; therefore, there is a necessity to integrate sustainability into industrial development to maintain the economy and avoid any degradation impacts on the environment, and thereafter on society. Thus, do Bahraini companies have sustainability reports and if so, are these reports based on GRI guidelines? Has the status of their sustainability reports been analyzed? This research aims to examine the sustainability reports of companies by analyzing the status of sustainability aspects in their materiality matrices to assist in identifying and prioritizing the most significant sustainability issues for advancement in their future reporting and to improve their environmental performance. This study employs a content analysis approach and analyzes 11 reports from the period 2016–2020 for three companies in Bahrain’s large industrial sector. The study reveals that the companies using materiality analysis in their reporting benefit from better monitoring and measuring of their environmental performance, and from implementing SDGs. Furthermore, the study indicates that the utilization of a materiality matrix as a reporting tool can define and improve report contents by considering stakeholders’ views, consequently, improving the quality of the sustainability reports. The study concludes by proposing a set of recommendations.

The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a significant milestone in the journey toward sustainability, addressing various cross-cutting issues and maximizing the benefits that can be derived from sustainable practices. The rapid pace of unsustainable urbanization and industrialization, coupled with a lack of awareness, presents significant challenges to effective solid waste management (SWM). This study aimed to develop a governance framework for solid waste management (SWM) to promote best practices in the transition to sustainable SWM. The proposed conceptual framework is based on previous governance research. It highlights the distinct linkages between the waste hierarchy and various approaches. The SDG 12 will enhance sustainable waste management. Adopting a governance approach successfully will enhance the effectiveness of waste management's technical, administrative, and institutional aspects. Further, environmental governance is facilitating the establishment of effective policies, programs, and strategies for urban and industrial management that address the waste management challenges. Therefore, effective waste management governance within the context of the SDGs is essential to ensure sustainable SWM practices. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach to SWM to sustain resources. This resource management may necessitate substantial changes in existing business structures, consumer behaviours, and governance systems. The study indicated that enhancing SWM governance can lead to better human health, tackling environmental degradation, and enhancing sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12). The study concludes that the inextricable connection between the waste management hierarchy and waste management approaches fosters effective waste governance, ultimately resulting in sustainable waste management.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) form significant ambitions towards a sustainable and better human future. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) have a deep-rooted urban dimension, as exemplified in Goal 11, which intends to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, and around 23% of the SDG indicators have a clear urban component. That is forming a window of opportunity to integrate both Agendas towards sustainable urbanization and improving the quality of life in urban agglomerations. Both Agendas should be functioning jointly towards contributing to improving the quality of life and providing all essential life services and needs. Thus, the integration approach is the best pathway to synergy aims of both Agendas to tackle the challenges and formulate a coherent interlinkage in the thematic areas. Consequently, urbanization and sustainable urban agglomeration development need a strong Agenda and implementation framework to tackle the environmental, social, and economic challenges of urban agglomerations. Therefore, the big lesson distillery from both Agendas is to localize the SDGs in the urban agglomerations to attain sustainability at a broad scope. Overall, the integrated approach to urban sustainability covers all sustainability aspects and the correlations among sustainability dimensions in both Agendas.