Car tyres responsible for thousands of tonnes of UK plastic pollution

Thursday, November 22, 2018 - 00:08
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Up to 19,000 tonnes of microplastic pollution could be entering UK waterways every year from vehicle tyres, says a new report for Friends of the Earth published today [1,2].

The environmental campaign group is calling on the government’s resources and waste strategy – expected later this month – to include measures for tackling microplastics as part of a comprehensive action plan.

Vehicle tyres shed tiny bits of plastic (a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber, and well as various additives) during driving, and are believed to be responsible for the greatest proportion of microplastic pollution entering EU surface waters [3].

Microplastics can also absorb and concentrate toxic pollutants from the surrounding seawater, making them even more poisonous to animals that mistake them for food or absorb them through their gills and skin.

Last month (October) new research revealed that plastic had been discovered in the faeces of people who took part in a Europe-wide study [4].

Friends of the Earth’s new report – Reducing Household Contributions to Marine Plastic Pollution – estimates that between 9,000 and 32,000 tonnes of microplastic pollution enter UK waterways each year from just four sources. This figure is of the same magnitude as large plastic waste (estimated to be between 10,000 and 26,000 tonnes), such as plastic bottles and takeaway containers, that’s estimated to enter UK waterways annually.

The report looks at four key sources of microplastic pollution and estimates that [5]:

  1. Vehicle tyres: 68,000 tonnes of microplastics from tyre tread abrasion are generated in the UK every year with between 7,000 and 19,000 tonnes entering surface waters.
  2. Clothing:  As much as two thirds of UK clothing could be made from synthetic plastic material. The report says the washing of synthetic clothing could result in the generation of 2,300-5,900 tonnes of fibres annually in the UK. Somewhere between 150 and 2,900 tonnes of this could be passing through wastewater treatment into our rivers and estuaries [6].
  3. Plastic pellets are the ‘feedstock’ used to manufacture plastic items. Between 200 and 5,900 tonnes are lost to surface waters in the UK every year.
  4. Paints on buildings and road markings weather and flake off resulting in between 1,400 and 3,700 tonnes of this ending up in surface water per year.

Friends of the Earth is urging the government to consider a number of measures to tackle tyre car pollution, including:

  • A standardised test to measure tyre tread abrasion rate, and integration into the current tyre labelling scheme
  • A car tyre levy, to pay for research into solutions, and for mitigation measures. Once the test method has been developed, the levy could ultimately be varied based on the tyre tread abrasion rate
  • The better management of mitigation measures such as roadside ‘gully pots’ and the use of porous asphalt to capture microplastic pollution before it enter drains
  • Industry to prioritise the development of tyres with a reduced tread abrasion rate, while also seeking to reduce airborne particulate emissions from tyres
  • Measures to encourage less driving, such as better public transport and cycling facilities.

The environmental campaign group is also urging industry and ministers to do far more to address the torrent of microplastic pollution pouring into our environment every day. Friends of the Earth is calling on the government to introduce a Plastics Pollution Action Plan. The plan should aim for near zero plastic pollution by 2042, beginning with the phase-out of unnecessary plastics and the setting up of an expert Committee on Plastics Pollution to advise ministers.

Friends of the Earth plastics campaigner Julian Kirby said:

“It’s staggering that so little is being done to prevent thousands of tonnes of microplastic pollution from car tyres, clothing and paints pouring into our rivers and seas every year.

“Microplastic pollution may be largely invisible, but it’s having a potentially devastating effect on our natural environment – especially as it can be mistaken for food by some our smallest ocean creatures, which are then eaten by bigger creatures as part of the food chain.

“Ministers are right to be concerned about the impact of bags, straws and single-use coffee cups on our environment, but we mustn’t ignore the threat from tiny bits of plastic too.”

The Eunomia report also identifies a list of 10 consumer items that are causing plastic pollution and which should be a priority for action by households, business and government. The report suggests a number of steps that need to be taken to cut pollution (along with relevant page number). A summary of the items listed below can be found on pages IV, V and VI). Friends of the Earth is urging the government to act on these items too.

The list is:

  • Tyre wear (p.72)
  • Synthetic fibres in clothing (p.50)
  • Skin-care products including make-up and sunscreen (p.48)
  • Wet wipes (p.26)
  • Sanitary towels and tampons (p.40)
  • Cotton buds (p.44)
  • Drink bottles and tops (p.56)
  • Take-away food containers (p.61)
  • On-the-go utensils (p.65)
  • Crisp packets (p.68)

Notes:

  1. The new report, Reducing Household Contributions to Marine Plastic Pollution, by Eunomia Research and Consulting, examines the contribution of a ‘top ten’ list of plastic pollution sources that the public should be aware of in their daily lives. https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/reducing-household-contributions-marine-plastic-pollution
  2. Microplastic pollution figures are based on a 2018 study for the European Commission which sought to quantify the releases of microplastics from land-based sources into surface waters, and UK specific data.
  3. Eunomia on behalf of the European commission [2018] – http://www.eunomia.co.uk/reports-tools/investigating-options-for-reducing-releases-in-the-aquatic-environment-of-microplastics-emitted-by-products/
  4. Microplastics discovered in human stools across the globe in ‘first study of its kind: https://www.ueg.eu/press/releases/ueg-press-release/article/ueg-week-microplastics-discovered-in-human-stools-across-the-globe-in-first-study-of-its-kind/
  5. Another significant source of microplastic pollution is skin care products, including make-up and sunscreen. Microplastics – often called microbeads – have been included in cosmetic products for years. A UK ban on microbeads only covers ‘rinse-off’ products and toothpastes.
  6. Clothing firms urged to act on plastic pollution | Friends of  the Earth press release: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/london-fashion-week-clothing-firms-urged-act-plastic-pollution
  7. About Friends of the Earth: For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For more information visit: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/ follow us at @friends_earth, or like our Facebook page.

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