This month, the European Union banned plastic microparticles smaller than 5mm from consumer products, primarily targeting cosmetics containing glitter and beads. On the 16th of this month, the EU further proposed new targets and draft regulations, for the first time imposing source control regulations on plastic pellets, aiming to reduce plastic microparticle pollution by 74% by 2030.
The EU has proposed a series of measures to address the issue of 52,000 to 184,000 metric tons of plastic pellets released into the environment each year due to improper handling in the supply chain.
This is the first EU regulation designed to trace the source of microplastic pollution. According to EU reports, loose plastic particles can be found in water, soil, and even farmland. They are difficult to decompose in nature, move around, and are difficult to remove. Their ecological harm is well known. Tiny particles can easily be eaten by marine life such as turtles, seabirds, and shellfish, potentially causing harm or death if ingested.
The EU points out that raw plastic particles are one of the sources of microplastic pollution and are the largest source of unintentional pollution. In response, the EU requires companies to take the following actions: prevent particles from flying and falling; block leaked particles to ensure they do not further pollute the environment; and finally, clean up in the event of a leak or damage.
Further guidelines include: First, businesses must adopt specific disposal methods. Second, large companies must apply for certification from an independent third party. Smaller companies do not need to obtain certification but must self-declare compliance. Third, to assist with loss monitoring and address data gaps, a unified EU standard will be developed. Fourth, special consideration will be given to small businesses. Given the significant proportion of small and micro-sized enterprises in the plastic pellet supply chain, standards may be relaxed.
The proposals will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, and once the regulations come into effect, all operators (regardless of whether they are headquartered in the EU or not) will have 18 months to comply.
According to The Guardian, Dana Kühnel of the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research in Germany said that directly preventing plastic emissions is more effective than managing microplastics.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the EU's environment commissioner, told The Guardian that the most important thing is to reduce pollution at the source. Basically, what the EU needs to do is to ensure that microplastic pollution is significantly reduced at the source.
References:
* The Guardian (October 17, 2023), EU to crack down further on microplastics after glitter ban
* The Guardian (October 9, 2023), Glitter sales surge in Germany before EU microplastics ban this week
* European Union (October 16, 2023), The Commission proposes measures to reduce microplastic pollution from plastic pellets
Sources:
Environmental Information Center
