MICROPLASTICS - REDUCTION GUIDELINES

Although microplastic emissions are still largely unregulated, there are a variety of tools available to help assist businesses, federal facilities and local governments reduce their emissions and move towards regulating microplastic pollution.

For example, Fauna & Flora International developed a Microbeads Guidance Document on improving corporate ingredient policies and/or regulatory measures to effectively prevent sources of microplastic pollution. This states that a corporate commitment to remove microplastic ingredients should include:

  • Restriction of all microplastic ingredients
  • Application to all ‘down the drain’ products
  • No exemption for non-marine-tested synthetic solid ingredients
  • No exemption for plastic ingredients below a certain size
  • Implementation within an ambitious timeframe
  • Application to all brands in a company’s portfolio
  • Application to all future formulations of products

RESOURCES

Suggested practices for the packaging industry

Guide for companies to assess and prevent the emission of primary synthetic microparticles

Addressing the Fashion Industry Enviromental Audit Committee

Practical solutions for companies to prevent pellet loss Operation Clean Sweep

US Compliance Resources  Enviromental Protection Agency

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