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Microplastics

The UK Microplastics Network is an inclusive interdisciplinary network for any individual or organisation with an interest relevant to microplastics.
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What are microplastics?

Microplastics are defined as solid plastic particles less than 5mm in size. In recent years, microplastics have become recognised as a widespread and pervasive environmental pollutant, present globally within water, soil and the air.

Microplastics may be either primary (designed and manufactured to be of a small size) or secondary (broken or shed from larger items). Research is currently being carried out to understand where and how microplastics form, disperse and accumulate within the environment. Additionally, work is underway to understand the environmental and ecological implications of microplastics, including considering health effects on both wildlife and humans.

While microplastics may have unintended consequences if they end up within the environment, microplastics, and the larger plastics that can form them, have myriad useful and often essential applications. It is therefore crucial to ensure that society can continue to reap the benefits of these materials, while limiting any negative consequences. This requires having sufficient knowledge to inform our future actions, and the capabilities to act on this knowledge. To further progress the research and develop novel technologies, solutions and mitigation strategies to reduce environmental input and hazard, will require concerted interdisciplinary efforts. As such, this network aims to link those who are approaching this issue from multiple angles, including academia, government, industry, charities, consultancies and more.

Drivers, barriers and studies for solutions

  • Microplastics have been detected throughout ecosystems globally from depths of the oceans to high altitude of Mount Everest.
  • Potential risks to human health due to exposure from microplastics in the air, food and drinking water.
  • Data gaps regarding the toxicological impact of microplastics.
  • Vast range of materials differing in shape, size, chemical composition, colour, density and toxicity.
  • Wide range of sources including run –off and abrasion from roads, tyre wear, agriculture, sewage sludge, synthetic fibres from laundry, cosmetics, fragmentation of larger plastics.

24.4+ Trillion

Pieces of microplastics in the worlds oceans

Background to the network

The UK Microplastics Network was established in 2017 by Dr Alice Horton, National Oceanographic Centre, with funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), in response to the growing need for wider stakeholder understanding and involvement in the field of microplastics research. In 2019, the network joined with UKCPN to enable greater benefits for members of both networks with respect to access to resources, information and networking opportunities. Given the increasing recognition that the plastics issue must be targeted at all scales and across all parts of the supply and demand chain, it is a therefore a rational evolution for the UK Microplastics Network to become hosted within the UK Circular Plastics Network.

Our Objectives

  • Facilitate communication between researchers and stakeholders
  • Identify diverse relevant skills, facilities and funding sources which can assist in development of microplastics research
  • Develop strategies for tackling the issue through collaborative working
  • Economic benefits to businesses and organisations who can gain advice and plan for future legislation that may impact their products and business
  • Informing evidence-based decision making on microplastics policy and legislation

Focus on Microplastics at GRIPS

Microplastics are a complex and widespread pollutant of growing concern. During GRIPS2021, GRIPS2022 & GRIPS2023 our expert speakers have engaged us with:

  • Microfibres and Microplastics within the Environment
  • Measuring, Monitoring, Mitigating Fugitive Plastic
  • Microplastics detection and consequences for the environment, ecosystems and human health.

The sessions have looked at synthetic vs natural microfibres, the impact of microfibres and fibre fragments and the innovative measures to reduce them. Have questioned how we can tackle the microplastics problem? Even with sufficient infrastructure in place there is still leakage and poor behaviour leading to litter in the environment. The experts share the state of the knowledge alongside current recommendations, considerations and challenges for the study of microplastics both in the environment and within human tissues.

Watch now

Related News

View all news

Highways England looking for labs with microplastics analytical capabilities

Posted on February 24, 2020
Microplastics
Highways England commissioning research into Strategic Road Network’s contribution to microplastics in the environment.
Read more

Lucideon: Fighting for sustainability in the cosmetics industry

Posted on July 27, 2020
Microplastics
Read how funding from the Plastics Research and Innovation Fund (PRIF) helped Lucideon to launch a feasibility study to see whether polymers in microbeads can be replaced by environmentally friendly inorganic alternatives.
Read more

Microplastic Pollution in the South Pacific Ocean – eXXpedition

Posted on February 24, 2020
Microplastics
Find out about Imogen Campbell-Gray’s participation in eXXpedition – a sailing expedition to the South Pacific Ocean to examine plastic pollution.
Read more

Funding & opportunities

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Meet the team

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Our team includes expertise in plastics, elastomers, textiles, marine, aquaculture, environmental pollution, medical polymers, composites and citizen engagement and education. We are passionate about making the plastics value chain more sustainable.
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Denise

Goldsmith

Marine Plastics Manager
Denise is the Marine plastics manager at Innovate UK Business Connect.
Meet Denise

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