Microplastics and packaging: reduction is achievable

Litter the largest source of microplastics from packaging

There are some 130 kilotonnes of microplastics from packaging in the Dutch environment. This makes packaging one of the largest sources of microplastics in the Netherlands.

Much of the microplastics released into the environment by packaging is the result of improper disposal, meaning litter. These plastics in the environment slowly break down into smaller parts, tiny particles smaller than five millimetres, which are dispersed into various ecosystems.

Measures against microplastics from packaging

So there is still much to be gained in terms of reducing microplastics from packaging. We researched the biggest sources of microplastics and the measures that could reduce microplastics by up to 70% by 2050.

Measures to reduce microplastics from packaging include:

• Improved packaging concepts
• Restriction on single-use plastics
• Wider rollout of deposits system
• Litter clean-up in roadsides, parks, woodland
• Using materials with lower MPI (Microplastic Index), a score indicating how likely it is that a type of plastic will form microplastics

The recently introduced deposit scheme, which now includes deposits on small bottles and cans, has already resulted in a 70% reduction in small bottles in the environment. But we’re not there yet. In the coming years, we must all work together to prevent and clean up litter, both in the Netherlands and globally.

Fortunately, the measures proposed in the interview with Roger Loop are not just good for preventing microplastics, but also good for the circularity of this product group.

For example, Roger mentioned the 'design for recycling' measure: designing circular packaging that can be reused multiple times.

Microplastics released during recycling of packaging

Recycling packaging is an important step towards sustainable plastics, but it also brings new challenges. This is because microplastics are also released during the recycling process, as an unintended by-product. These microplastics are created when plastic packaging is crushed and then washed, resulting in tiny particles that can easily escape into the air and water.

Little is still known about the amount of microplastics released during recycling and what the industry can do to prevent or capture it. We are currently researching this with various partners in the LEmPlaR project.

In addition, microplastics can of course be released immediately when plastic packaging is used. A lot of research is being done about this, but unfortunately little is known about it yet.

Want to know more about what measures your organisation can take to reduce microplastics? Contact Tim Bulters.