The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Microplastics has just issued its first report, Microplastic Policies for the Government.
Based in part on research carried out for the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) in 2018 (see In a spin: how our laundry is contributing to plastic pollution) this new report highlights the problem of microplastics entering the environment.
With 35% of total microplastics being released during textile manufacture and through the laundry cycle, the APPG on Microplastics is calling for legislation requiring microfibre filters to be fitted to all new domestic and commercial washing machines from 2025.
That, it claims, would both help stem the release of plastic microfibres into rivers and marine environments and also help raise consumer awareness around the issue of microplastics in the environment.
Among other recommendations, the report also calls for a Minister of Plastics Pollution to be appointed.
For more details, see the APPG on Microplastics website (hosted by the NFWI).
