The document discusses the problem of microplastics in the environment and proposes solutions involving chemicals management and regulation. It notes that plastic production has surged in recent decades and is projected to double again in the next 20 years. Microplastics enter the environment through various pathways and sources and act as a vector for other contaminants. A multi-sectoral, global approach is needed that reduces plastic production, redesigns products for toxics elimination and circularity, implements zero waste systems, upholds the precautionary principle, and engages global instruments and conventions. Specifically, chemical regulation needs to curb virgin plastic production, eliminate microplastics in production, capture microplastics at their sources, and promote toxics elimination and product

1. The role of
chemicals
management to
solve the
problem with
microplastics in
the
environment
Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2018
Jane Bremmer
National Toxics Network Australia

2. Plastics and Chemicals Industry
The building blocks of a modern economy
A critical industry enabler
“Plastics and plastic packaging are an
integral and important part of the global
economy. Plastics production has
surged over the past 50 years, from 15
million tonnes in 1964 to 311 million
tonnes in 2014, and is expected to
double again over the next 20 years,
as plastics come to serve increasingly
many applications.”
World Economic Forum Jan 2016:
The New Plastics Economy
“In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean
is expected to contain 1 tonne of plastic for
every 3 tonnes of fish by 2025, and by
2050, more plastics than fish (by weight).”
Ellen McArthur Foundation

3. Microplastics in the environment: A new toxic timebomb?
5 trillion microplastics (250 000 tonnes) in the ocean
Pathways to the environment
• Sewage sludge/waste water treatment plants
• Direct dumping/litter
• Inadequate waste management
• Rivers, lakes, waterways
• Marine vessels
• Fishing industry
• Airborne sources
Form
• Pellets
• Fibres
• Engineered micro and nanoparticles
• Fragments of marine debris
• Unintentional sources
Contaminants
• POPs
• PBTs
• Pesticides
• Oil by-products, industrial chemicals

4. Microplastics: A Super POP?

5. Microplastic Pollution: a cross sector issue
-requiring a cross sector solution-
Microplastic
Pollution
Human Rights
Climate
Justice
Clean
renewable
sustainable
energy
Zero Waste
Redesign
Toxics
elimination
Environmental
Justice
UNITY
COLLABORATION
TRUST
SUPPORT
RESPECT
STRENGTH
DETERMINATION
HOPE

6. A local, national and global multi-sectoral and
multi-stakeholder approach to solutions
Chemicals management and regulation
• Reduce production ( caps, limits, targets, incentives)
• Redesign for toxics elimination, circularity, durability
• Full Ecological Life Cycle Assessments
• Implement Zero Waste Management Systems
• Uphold Precautionary Principle
• Public Right to Know
Global Instruments
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
• SAICM
• International Conventions for Marine Pollution
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Chemical and waste Conventions
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 2001
Minamata Convention on Mercury 2013
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and their Disposal 1989
• UN Environment Assembly proposed convention on plastics
• IPEN Oceans Pollutant Platform

7. Its time for chemical regulation to:
1. Turn off the tap – an urgent cap on virgin plastic
production, eliminate all microplastics in production,
invest in safer alternatives.
2. Mop up the mess – capture microplastics at source
and in the environment, implement zero waste policy
3. Clean out the cupboard – toxics elimination,
product redesign, circular economy