Microplastics : Presentation of government commission on sources of microplastics and proposed measures for reduced emissions in Sweden

IntroductionIn August 2015, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was commissionedby the Government to identify major sources in Sweden for the emission ofmicroplastics into the sea and to work to reduce emissions from these sources. TheSwedish EPA presents its commission in this report. We present the results of thefirst comprehensive survey of the sources and dispersal of microplastics in Sweden,an assessment of which of the identified sources should be primarily addressed, andthe steps to be taken to prevent emissions and reduce the releases of microplasticsinto the sea, lakes and streams from these sources.The presence of microplastics in the marine environment has been increasinglyrecognised in recent years, not least at global level. Microplastic is a generic term forsmall plastic fragments measuring from 1 nm to 5 mm. The microplastics found inthe oceans, but also in freshwater systems, have different origins. Microplastic canbe unintentionally formed when plastic items deteriorate and plastic particles areemitted, or when we do not re-use, recycle or dispose of plastic materials properly sothat the plastic becomes debris that is successively degraded down into smaller andsmaller pieces in nature. There is also plastic that is originally fabricated as smallpellets or beads.The basis of this work has been the Swedish environmental quality objectivesA Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos andA Non-toxic Environment. Reduced releases of microplastics into seas, lakes andstreams will contribute to achieving these objectives.The commission was conducted by the Swedish EPA in cooperation with theAgency for Marine and Water Management other relevant authorities, and with theparticipation of relevant organisations and other stakeholders between August 2015and May 2017. The conclusions are those of the Swedish EPA.ResultsMapping of sources and dispersal pathwaysIVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has, on behalf of the Swedish EPA,mapped possible sources and dispersion routes for microplastics in Sweden. Focushas been placed on onshore sources. The survey gives a first, consolidated picture ofthe origin of microplastics and their transport to the sea. Knowledge of how microplasticsdisperse from source to sea, lakes and streams remains limited. Possible pathwaysare via air, rainwater and snow dumping, as well as through wastewater treatmentplants and slurry spreading.It has not been possible to calculate the proportion of microplastic transportedto sea, lakes and streams for the majority of the mapped sources due to the lack ofavailable data. The volumes that can be calculated are dispersion from sources whereemissions occur directly to water, such as washing boat hulls, and the loss that occursvia wastewater treatment plants. The amount of microplastic that reaches Swedishcoastal waters from various sources has thus not been estimated.7SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REPORT 7078MicroplasticsMajor sources of microplastics in SwedenIn the light of the survey, the Swedish EPA has considered that the following sourcesshould be addressed primarily in Sweden: Tyre and road wear, artificial grass pitches(AGPs), industrial production and handling of primary plastics, synthetic fibre laundry,boat hull paints and litter. In total, these sources account for the largest emissionsof microplastics in Sweden.Assessment of the possibilities for moving towardsreducedemission of microplastics in SwedenToday, there is not enough scientific knowledge to enable certain conclusions tobe drawn about how microplastics from tyre and road wear, artificial grass pitches,industrial production and handling of primary plastics, textile laundry, boat hullpaint and litter in Sweden are released to the seas, lakes and streams and what environmentalimpact they have there. We have therefore considered that the possibilitiesfor preventing emissions and reducing the releases of microplastics are limited in theshort term. At the same time, the presence of microplastics in the oceans – includingin Swedish coastal waters and fresh waters – is a fact. In view of the precautionaryprinciple, the Swedish EPA therefore calls for measures that can be implemented atreasonable costs and consequences for the stakeholders concerned, despite the uncertaintiesthat exist.In this respect, it is important to note that there are already instruments forreducing emissions of microplastics, albeit indirectly. Many of the behaviours thatcause emissions and the releases of microplastics are the same as those that causeparticulate emissions in general. For example, there are instruments aimed at reducingparticulate emissions to air and water. Therefore, the synergies between possiblemeasures to reduce microplastic emissions and ongoing or planned measures inother areas, such as clean air work and non-toxic everyday life, should be exploited.Proposals for actionKnowledge building is central to the prevention of emissions of microplastics in thelonger term and reduction of their releases, as is dialogue and information to raiseawareness of the problems of microplastics. We have therefore drawn up proposals formeasures aimed primarily at raising both knowledge and awareness of microplasticsthrough research and development, guidance, dialogue and information. In parallelwith national measures, work in the EU and internationally to reduce the releases ofboth macro- and microplastics to seas, lakes and streams continues.KNOWLEDGE BUILDINGThe knowledge gaps and methodological difficulties identified during the workon the commission constitute an important contribution to further work withmicroplastics in Sweden.We propose, among other things, that VTI (the Swedish National Road and TransportResearch Institute) be commissioned by the Government to develop knowledge ofmicroplastic emissions from road traffic. Further examples of R&D measures includeevaluation of highway stormwater purification techniques, a knowledge-based reviewof measures to reduce losses and leakage of granulate from artificial grass pitches,screening of microplastics and measuring of plastic particles in boat hull washes.In addition, the Swedish EPA will make an inventory of the need for knowledge ofmicroparticles, including microparticles made from plastic.8SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REPORT 7078MicroplasticsPRE-PURCHASE PROCUREMENT GROUPSA pre-purchase procurement group is a multiple year collaboration between thevarious procurement agencies aimed at improving the quality of procurementthrough joint knowledge-building and collaboration on requirements and procurementmethods. We have found that pre-purchase procurement groups are an efficientway to gather and build knowledge and to create new solutions for the developmentof primarily artificial grass pitches, but also for the development of advanced treatmenttechniques for purification of wastewater treatment plants and stormwater.The Swedish EPA will initiate a pre-purchase procurement group to discuss reducedenvironmental impact from artificial grass pitches during 2017 and will investigatethe possibilities of initiating additional pre-purchase procurement groups for, amongother things, advanced wastewater treatment.GUIDELINESGuidance for supervisory agencies and companies has several objectives, such ascreating the conditions for equally applied and effective supervision, clarifying rulesand contributing to better self-inspection. The Swedish EPA will provide guidancefor increased control of spill flows (untreated or incomplete treatment of water fromsewerage systems or wastewater treatment plants), partly for the application of thelegislation governing the use of rubber granules in artificial grass pitches, and partlyfor measures to minimise material losses during manufacture and processing ofprimary plastics.INFORMATIONA number of information measures are proposed, notably in the field of textilelaundry, such as providing information for consumers about the measures they cantake to reduce the emission of microplastics from the use and laundry of syntheticfibres, and to reduce the amount of litter. The Swedish EPA is also planning to holda workshop with the Swedish Chemicals Agency to consider microplastics that arecaused by synthetic fibres.PARTICIPATION IN THE EU AND INTERNATIONALLYA number of initiatives are under way at EU and international level to prevent andmanage the presence of microplastics in the oceans. Sweden needs to continue toparticipate in the relevant EU and international contexts, both to benefit from theknowledge presented there and to participate in, and influence, the developmentof measures that have bearing on both national and global environmental andsustainability targets.Measures at EU level have been assessed as most relevant in the reduction of tyrewear and for microplastics produced by the use of textiles. Together with the SwedishEnergy Agency, we propose that Sweden investigate the possibility of developingthe EU’s energy label for tyres to include wear resistance and work to develop theecodesign rules for washing machines. We also propose that the Swedish EPA, inconnection with the revision of the reference document for textile manufactureunder the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, works within the EU to produce data onthe emission of microplastics from manufacturing processes in the textile industry.9SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REPORT 7078MicroplasticsSweden should use the knowledge generated in international processes to increaseits knowledge base and develop measures nationally. We can also contribute our ownexperience, for example, in building efficient waste management schemes, becauseinsufficient waste management and onshore litter is the largest global source ofmarine refuse and microplastics in the oceans. The work of the HELCOM and OSPARregional marine conventions is identified have been identified as important arenasfor this commission.ConclusionsThis report has compiled existing knowledge of the origin of microplastics and transportto the sea, lakes and streams in Sweden. We demonstrate the steps that need to betaken to prevent emissions and reduce the release of microplastics from land-basedsources to seas, lakes and streams. The knowledge compiled here forms a springboardfrom which to work. The proposed measures are a first step along the way and need tobe developed and supplemented as our knowledge of microplastics increases.Microplastics are an environmental problem that transcends societal sectors towhich there is no simple solution. At the same time, there are many parallels withmeasures that aim at reducing emissions and discharges of undesirable substancesin general. The Swedish EPA therefore believes that it is of great importance to takeadvantage of the synergies that exist. Further investigation will need to be made ofpotential target conflicts that may arise.Work on this government commission has put microplastics on the agenda. Anumber of voluntary activities are already under way at various levels in Sweden witha view to both increasing knowledge about microplastics and how their emission isbest prevented and reduced. To reduce the presence of microplastics in seas, lakes andstreams, stakeholders at all levels of society need to contribute to knowledge buildingand measures to reduce their emission