Microplastics (MPs) are a major concern worldwide due to their ecotoxicological effects on the environment and public health. The low density of MPs allows for their accumulation in the atmosphere, facilitating their global transportation and direct exposure to the human body by inhalation or ingestion, resulting in adverse health consequences. Therefore, it is critically essential to develop efficient and environmentally-friendly approaches for MP removal. To this end, this review aims to collate advances and new knowledge that emerged in recent years for MPs and their potentially damaging impacts on the ecosystem and human health. Some recent techniques and strategies for overcoming MP effects are also discussed. Furthermore, challenges and future perspectives to mitigate this planetary pollution are addressed. This assessment is intended for an audience that includes scientists in academia, plastic manufacturing firms interested in promoting the manufacture of bio-based plastics, and consumers who have the ability to choose alternative plastic options. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd