Plastic pollution research is lacking discussions on research philosophy: Inspiration from Critical Physical Geography to bridge the gap

Abstract Plastic pollution is an emerging threat to our marine and terrestrial environments. International policy development to mitigate this pollution is currently underway; however, the process is complex. In parallel, local, national and regional initiatives are being developed. The research community is advocating for strong regulations based on robust evidence of the harm and severity of plastic pollution on oceans, land and for humans. However, the research community comprises different disciplines, research traditions and methodological approaches. This heterogeneity is in its core a great advantage, but only when we manage to build on each other where “synthesis” occurs. Currently, there remains a divide between the physical and social sciences, with research predominantly skewed toward the physical sciences, focusing on concentrations, fate and impact of plastic pollution. In this article, I question the lack of philosophical discussions about the foundation of our research on plastic pollution, our knowledge claims, our views of “clean,” “pristine” and nature itself, as well as of the need for such discussions. I also propose a possible way forward to bridge the gap between disciplines and research traditions, fostering real interdisciplinarity.