Impact case study database

As plastic use continues to increase, our research on microplastics has demonstrated their prevalence in our oceans (3.1, 3.3) alongside evidence that they are entering the food chain (3.2, 3.4) with potential detrimental impacts on animal health. Moreover, our research has evidenced the sources of microplastics, from textiles (3.4) to microbeads (3.5) which has allowed policy makers, charities, NGOs and industry to implement interventions to reduce microplastic pollution.

Bans on microbeads across the globe.

Our research has led to bans of microplastics at UK, EU and global scales through sustained governmental engagement, the provision of evidence to enquiries, and its contribution to legislation.

In August 2016, UoP research was presented as written and oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on microplastics (the only scientific paper to be cited in the UK proposals).  In order to reduce harm to the marine environment, in 2017, the UK introduced a ban on the use of microplastics in rinse-off personal care products. “ This ban was introduced as a consequence of [UoP research 3.5] … together with Prof Thompson’s input… [this has] considerably helped shape Defra thinking.” Julius Piercy, DEFRA [5.1]. The ban is estimated to have prevented the release of 680 tonnes of microplastics to wastewater every year.

At an EU level, our research informed the European Parliament’s Single-Use Plastics Directive 2016 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This resulted in MEPs calling for a ban on intentionally added micro-plastics in cosmetics, personal care products, detergents, and cleaning products by 2020. ‘’[Thompson’s] papers are important because they helped inform the EC to reduce the quantity of litter entering the oceans, and to set up policy instruments such as the Plastics Strategy, the ECHA restriction dossier in 2018 and the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2020’’ Werner Bosmans, European Commission [5.2]. The EU Chemicals Agency ECHA said that the ban will reduce emissions by at least 70 % and prevent the release of 500 000 tonnes of microplastics over the next 20-years. It has been estimated that each tonne of plastic entering oceans could result to a loss to natural capital in excess of £2400 hence the projected benefits of this intervention in terms of a reduction in damage to natural capital can be estimated at in excess of £1.2 Billion.

On a global scale, our research was used as evidence in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 2017 technical paper to assess the potential impact of microplastics on consumers’ health and perceptions and to understand the potential consequences on fish productivity [5.3]. This widely cited document has been used to inform governments across the world.  In 2018, Thompson’s research and expertise led to the Japanese bill to reduce microplastics released into the environment. In the same year, legislation directly citing UoP research includes a New Zealand ban on the import, manufacture and sale of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, estimated to apply to over 100 products [5.4] and a Canada wide ban on the manufacture and import of toiletries that contain microbeads [5.5].

Innovation, entrepreneurial activity, and industry changes

Our research demonstrated that plastic fragments are shed from synthetic clothes when washed. As the fragments are too small to be caught by the machine’s filters, they then flow into the sewage system and eventually into the ocean, where those fibres are often swallowed by invertebrates and fish (3.6). This discovery has contributed to innovation and entrepreneurial activity through the design of new products and the start-up company, PlanetCare Ltd, which was launched in 2017. Inspired by our research, the Slovenian founder designed the first add-on filter system to prevent microfibres being released into washing machine wastewater and entering the environment. Their product is marketed internationally, and the company estimate it will eliminate 500 tonnes of microfiber emissions over the next five years. ‘ Your research greatly influenced me to start our company, PlanetCare Ltd’. [Your] scientific reports…gave solid evidence of the extent of the pollution. ‘[Your] publications (3.3, 3.6) … made a strong and lasting impression.’ Mojca Zupan, CEO [5.6]. Planetcare joined industry leaders, NGOs, and policy makers at a round-table discussion in Paris in February 2020. At this meeting, France’s Secretary of State for Ecological Transition, Brune Poirson, announced that all new washing machines will require a filter for capturing plastic microfibers from 2025 onwards and attendees agreed that it should also be implemented on a European level.

In addition, our research (3.6) influenced the UK company, Xeros Technologies to develop the XFiltra, a highly efficient external filter which captures microfibres generated in laundry, that is marketed for domestic and commercial laundry and specialist cleaning and apparel manufactures [5.7]. Moreover, it influenced Arcelik to design the world’s first washing machine with a built-in synthetic microfiber filtration system, which claims to remove 99.9% of fabric microfibres. The company, which operates in more than 146 countries with brands such as Beko and Grundig, unveiled their washing machine in September 2019 and have committed to making this technology available to their competitors in the industry [5.8].

Thompson’s research (3.3-3.5) and expertise has also resulted in the demise of environmentally damaging flushable products, such as wet wipes, containing synthetic microfibers. There are approximately 300,000 sewer blockages annually, costing the country £100 million and wet wipes made up more than 90% of the material causing sewer blockages (Water UK 2017). Working with Anglian Water, Thompson influenced the outcomes of the international standard, WG 10 – Flushable Products ISO 24524, which laid the foundation for the successful introduction of the UK Water Industry Standard Fine to Flush (WIS F2F) (January 2019). This symbol will let consumers know that the products will break down in the sewer system instead of clogging up sewers and contributing to fatbergs which cause blockages and sewage overflows. The introduction of the WIS F2F, has resulted in industry leaders making major changes to the products they sold as flushable. Namely one independent company Natracare, two Waitrose products and of special significance is the industry leader Kimberly Clark which has changed the formula of its Andrex Washlets products to meet the F2F specification. ‘Thanks…to the steer you provided, the British committee was instrumental in ensuring that for any product to be considered flushable one of the criteria should be that it must not contain petro-chemical based plastics.’ Clare Pillinger and Rachel Dyson, Anglian Water [5.9].

Raised public awareness leading to consumer behaviour change

Since Thompson’s 2004 publication (3.1), the term ‘microplastic’ has become widely used in this context, not only in scientific publications but also across the mainstream news and media, for example it was word of the year in Spain 2019. This has resulted in a growing awareness that these tiny fragments of plastic are pervasive. Numerous NGOs, campaign groups and charitable organisations across the world have been influenced by our research increasing consumer awareness and triggering consumer behaviour change resulting in beneficial impacts on the environment (citations include Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Fashion Revolution, Georgian Bay Forever, Plastic Pollution Coalition and the Ocean Wise Conservation Association).

Increased environmental action resulting from our research (3.6) is evidenced through the National Federation of Women’s Institute’s (NFWI) ‘ End Plastic Soup’ campaign [5.9]. Launched in 2017, their campaign explored the scale of the microplastic fibre pollution and called on the government and industry to develop solutions to the problem. Their campaign survey of nearly 1,500 members and non-members showed that 62% of respondents reported that they had made some behavioural change, such as washing at a lower temperature or ensuring their washing loads are at capacity, because of the End Plastic Soup campaign [5.10]. Their report received national media coverage and was referenced by the Environmental Audit Committee in Parliament in its inquiry into the environmental impact of fashion. In September 2020, this resulted in the formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics which raises awareness of the effect microplastics on the environment.