A literature review was carried out to analyze the current status of microplastic research in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Specifically, this work focused on publications pertaining to (1) occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the environment, including water, sediments, and soil and (2) the environmental impact of MPs, particularly their presence and effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The review included peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar and two iberoamerican open access databases (Redalyc and SciELO). It was found that LAC has only contributed to 5% of the global scientific output on microplastics, and overall the highest contributor within the region was Brazil (52%), followed by Chile (16%) and Mexico (13%). An additional section analyzing the barriers to conducting microplastic research in LAC and their exacerbation by the current COVID-19 pandemic was included to provide additional context behind the relatively low scientific production and improve recommendations encouraging research in this region.

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) account for approximately 5.3% of global plastic production and are highly persistent in the environment due to their resistance to degradation. Their progressive fragmentation into micro- and nanoplastics, together with the presence of hazardous additives and their ability to adsorb emerging contaminants, increases their environmental impact. This study evaluates the enzymatic degradation of rigid PUFs derived from industrial waste at the upper size limit of microplastics as a step toward developing environmentally sustainable strategies for mitigating plastic pollution across multiple scales. Rigid PUFs were treated using three laccase-based systems (purified, immobilized, and enzyme cocktail), and the transformation process was evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). SEM analysis revealed surface erosion, cracking, and pore wall thinning, particularly in cocktail-treated samples. FT-IR and Raman spectra revealed chemical transformations in the polyurethane matrix, while GC-MS detected compounds consistent with polyurethane degradation byproducts, including 1-methylcycloheptene, 2,5-furandione, and aromatic amines, suggesting oxidative transformation of the polyurethane matrix. DLS measurements detected particles within the nanoscale size range, with diameters as small as 262.58 ± 15.65 nm following enzyme cocktail treatment. The maximal weight loss (5.36% ± 0.01) was achieved using purified laccase over a 24-day period. This study demonstrates the biocatalytic potential of laccase enzymes for polyurethane transformation and highlights their promise for the development of sustainable remediation strategies. These findings provide a foundation for future biotechnological applications targeting plastic waste and support the development of environmentally sustainable polymer degradation technologies.