MICROPLASTICS: TROUBLE IN THE FOOD CHAIN Addressing the issue at the source
While more research to investigate the physiological, biological, and chemical interactions between microplastic and organisms is underway, it is imperative to continue with the effort by all stakeholders to reduce new influx of plastic into the environment. Concerted efforts have been made by various stakeholders to tackle the issue of microplastics at the source including governments, private sector and NGOs. The Netherlands intends to become the first country to be free of microbeads in cosmetics by the end of 2016. Member companies of the Dutch Cosmetics Association are working towards removing microbeads from their products. By 2017, 80 per cent of the companies are expected to have completed the transition to a microbead-free product line. In December 2015, the United States passed a law that prohibits the sale and distribution of cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads with a phase-out period until 1 July 2017 when the bead manufacturing will be completely banned. The legislation also preempts state laws and regulations related to microbeads, which helps close some loopholes, such as banning only non-biodegradable plastic microbeads. Other countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom are following suit.
As a front runner in raising awareness of the issue and campaigning against the use of microbeads, the Beat the Microbead initiative has so far attracted more than 79 NGOs from 35 countries and 59 companies in the cosmetic industry to join the effort. A smartphone App developed by the initiative has been used by consumers around the world to scan the bar code to check for the presence of microbeads in personal care products available in the market.
The European Union through its project, MERMAIDS, works to address the issue of microplastic fibres released through textile washing processes into the European waters. The project is investigating different technologies that can capture released fibres in the washing process, or prevent the breakage of fibres from garments through innovative textile or detergent additives.
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Starting in 1992, with the goal to minimise the impact of pellet leakage into the environment, the Operation Clean Sweep initiative has become even more relevant as the issue of microplastic has become a global challenge. It is an example of industry-driven effort with the aim to prevent raw plastic materials such as plastic pellets, flakes, and powder from entering the waste stream. Targeting different segments of the plastic industry including supplier, manufacturer, and transport operators, the initiative aims to achieve a zero loss of these materials through better containment, reclamation, and proper disposal.
Further engagement of other relevant industries that use primary microplastics in their industrial processes or indirectly generate secondary microplastics is crucial. Textile industries may have an important role to play in research and development for synthetic textiles that shed fewer fibres, or simply minimise the use of synthetic material in their products. Involvement of the producers of washing machines
Video: Operation Clean Sweep
© Operation Clean Sweep/American Chemistry
Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54QQ8t8TePY Photo Credit: XXLPhoto/
Shutterstock.com
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