NL: Inventory of land-borne sources of microplastics

The RIVM has presented an inventory of land-borne sources of microplastics that may end up in sea. Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 mm. Sources can be products, production processes or routes along which they are transported via rivers to the sea. Subsequently these sources are prioritized. Based on the prioritization policy plans can be developed to reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment.
High priority was assigned to sources of secondary microplastics, i.e. microplastics that result from fragmentation of larger plastics. Plastic debris, which consists largely of packaging materials and disposable products, is the most important source of microplastics.
Click here for the report (572 kB, in Dutch with an English summary).

This item is also included in our monthly overview, the NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411.