Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how best to reduce the amount of unintentionally released microplastics into the environment.
This public consultation will support the European Commission’s initiative on Microplastics pollution – measures to reduce impacts on the environment, a key deliverable of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
The consultation focusses on sources which are known to release the largest quantity of microplastics are plastic pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres.
Additional sources such as paints, geotextiles, and detergent capsules for laundry and dishwashers are also being evaluated.
Background
Microplastics (plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm) are ubiquitous and can be found in soil, air, water and living organisms.
They accumulate throughout the food chain, absorb and transport other organic and inorganic (often toxic) pollutants and are easily ingested or inhaled by organisms due to their tiny size.
They can further degrade to nanoplastics (less than 100 nm).
Scientific evidence shows that microplastics have negative effects on vulnerable eco-systems (e.g. coral reefs, deep seas, polar regions), biodiversity (all marine life from plankton to large marine mammals) and human health.
Moreover, the economic impact on terrestrial and marine ecosystems due to the release of plastics into the environment is vast.
The consultation follows the publication of a roadmap that outlines the objective of this initiative.
The published consultation is open until 17 May.
More information
Contribute to the public consultation
Microplastics pollution – measures to reduce impacts on the environment
Webpage on EU action on plastics
Personal Remarks
Are some European Commission officials living in a Brussels “Bubble, Ivory Tower or Aquarium”?
I thought the EU SUP directive was meant to deal with microplastics in the Oceans.
But now the European Commission comes with another consultation on microplastics?
Seriously?
Shouldn’t they have thought about it before releasing the EU SUPD?
1 – Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how best to reduce the amount of unintentionally released microplastics into the environment.
Unitentional released microplastics … now, you have to tell me which supplier puts a plastic on the market that releases microplastics intentionally? Which one? Tell me? There’s no such thing as a plastic that releases microplastics intentionally!
All plastics that have not been designed to intentionally degrade in the open air or open environment will release microplastics unintentionally over time.
All plastics that have been designed to intentionally degrade, are supposed to disappear completely without leaving microplastics in the environment.
2 – The consultation focusses on sources which are known to release the largest quantity of microplastics are plastic pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres.
Additional sources such as paints, geotextiles, and detergent capsules for laundry and dishwashers are also being evaluated.
First remark, what about fishing nets? One of the most important source of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Second remark, what about agricultural mulch films? The most important source of microplastics in the soils (farmland).
Coincidentally, those two applications fall under “agriculture”. Who says agriculture says CAP … and who says CAP, says “vested interests”, big money, deep connections in to the European Commission apparatchik … a corrupted system.
Third remark, … detergent capsules for laundry and dishwashers … isn’t that single use plastic ?? Shouldn’t those fall under the EU SUPD??
Excuse my French, but the quality of the European Commission’s work is highly questionable since Ursula von der Leyen took over.
It’s like the European Commission is playing panic football … precipitation at the expense of qualitative legislation.