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News from the NOS•
Microplastics are increasingly common in the environment. A new report from the TNO research institute shows that there are 291 kilotons (291 million kilos) of microplastics on soil, soil and water in the Netherlands. If nothing is done about the spread of microplastics, the quantity will rise to 1031 kilotons in 2050.
Microplastics are solid plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. They are released during wear of plastic or rubber (synthetic) products. As the use of plastics has increased exponentially over the past few decades, microplastics can now be “found really everywhere,” says TNO. Microplastics are also present in the human body to foundfor example in the lungs.
Rubber in de berm
The research institute concludes that car tires, packaging, agricultural films and textiles are the major sources of microplastics in the Netherlands. As car tires wear up to 10-20 percent over their life, many rubber microplastics end up close to the roads. A large part remains in the brink and does not die.
Plastic packaging and agricultural films are often not cleaned or recycled thoroughly. If the plastic is left on the street or in nature, the microplastics will end up in the ground.
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Clothes and home textiles also release microplastics. New data from the environmental organization Plastic Soup Foundation shows that nearly 70 percent of all clothing is made of some form of plastic, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic or polyamide.
During use and washing, fabrics wear out and microplastics are released into the air and surface water. This also applies to garments sold as “more sustainable”, for example made from recycled polyester and leatherette.
“It should be forbidden to market clothes that wear out so quickly and lose so much fiber that they look a lot like the emperor’s new clothes after five washes,” he said. says Maria Westerbosdirector of the Plastic Soup Foundation van.
Deposit money expansion
According to TNO, measures can be taken to reduce the spread of microplastics. Even with increasing use of plastics, a 37% reduction can be achieved by 2030, the research institute writes. A 70% reduction in microplastics is possible by 2050.
This “requires cross-border cooperation,” the report said. The proposed measures include the ban on single-use plastic products, the extension of the storage system, the use of innovative materials and the improvement of recycling methods.
Completely stopping the production and use of plastics is unrealistic, according to TNO, because there are no good sustainable alternatives to plastics. “Plastic has demonstrable added value for society. Plastic packaging extends the shelf life of products and the limited weight translates into fuel savings in transportation,” the report said.
“It’s great stuff,” a spokesperson said, “but we have to learn to deal with its dark side.”
