1. The Proliferation of Plastics - macro to nano Section 1. Observation and Effects in the Environment 2. Microplastics on the Move 3. Environmental Accumulation, Environmental Monitoring 4. Exploring Interaction, Uptake, and Impacts 5. Ecosystem Level Effects 6. Associated Pollutants and Secondary Effects Section 2. A great many R's: the societal response to the plastic problem 7. A great many R's 8. Remove: rise and rebirth of the litter collector 9. Consume: increasing the rate of fragmentation and degradation of polymers 10. Policy Priorities: emerging trends in a global response 11. "Solutions vs. sustainability 12. Microplastic Forecast