Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
www.lifebluelakes.eu / info@lifebluelakes.eu
Plastic is omnipresent in our life
Our modern life and work would not be possible without plastics. But the light, hygienic and unbreakable material, which can be formed into any shape and has found its way into all areas of everyday life, also shows its disadvantages.
If plastics end up in our environment because they have not been properly disposed of or recycled, they remain there for centuries. Huge carpets of rubbish are found floating in the oceans. When the plastic waste breaks down into smaller particles, so-called microplastics are created. Scientists found it everywhere! In the water, in the soil, in the air and even in our food.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyamide (PA)
Polyethylene (PE)
Microplastics are solid and insoluble synthetic plastic particles which are smaller than 5 mm and made up of mixtures of polymers and functional additives. A distinction is made between different types of microplastics.
Polyurethane (PU)
Polypropylene (PP)
Primary microplastics are plastic granules that are intentionally manufactured and added to a product, e.g. as abrasives in peelings or cleansing products.
Secondary microplastics are plastic particles that are created by fragmentation of larger plastic parts. On the one hand, this can be plastic waste that becomes brittle due to weathering and UV radiation and breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. Secondary microplastics are also emitted from the abrasion of tyres on the road or from washing and wearing synthetic clothing.
Once released into the environment, we will not be able to remove them completely.
They are long-lasting and persistent and cannot be decomposed by microorganisms.
During the decomposition processes in the environment, harmful additives such as bisphenol-A and plasticisers can be released from the original material.
Due to their small size, microplastics already enter the food chain at the very bottom
Pollutants and microorganisms can attach to the rough surface of the decomposed particles (e.g. pathogens or environmental toxins such as pesticides).
They can injure the stomach and intestinal tract or the gills of the organisms, prevent food intake or accumulate in the organisms.
Microplastics, including all accumulated environmental toxins, are passed on through the food chain and eventually end up on people's plates, e.g. in the form of fish.
The effects of microplastics on the environment and human health have not yet been sufficiently researched.
Researchers at Australia's Newcastle University have calculated that humans consume up to five grams of microplastics per week. That is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. What the microplastic then causes in our bodies has not yet been sufficiently researched.
Microplastics come from multiple sources.
With the rainwater, the microplastics from streets and artificial turf surfaces flow either directly into the environment or via sewers into the sewage treatment plant. Microplastics from domestic wastewater also end up there. Although technologies are now available to filter out a large proportion of the tiny particles in sewage treatment plants, these are not yet widespread. Some of them are even returned to agricultural land with the sewage sludge as fertiliser.
Data Source: Microplastics Consortium Study (2018) of the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT, Germany.
Tyre wear from cars, trucks, bicycles, motorbikes, etc. accounts for by far the largest amount of microplastic inputs. In addition, there is abrasion from bitumen in asphalt and from road markings.
The abrasion of shoe soles also plays a role that should not be underestimated.
When textiles made of synthetic materials are worn and especially when they are laundered, fibre fragments are released and are flushed into the sewage system with the wash water.
The public is probably most aware that microplastics are used in cosmetics, make up and cleaning products. The tiny particles are added here on purpose, e.g. as abrasives in toothpaste or scouring agents. Since we rinse these agents away with water, the microplastics then end up directly in the sewage system.
I wonder how much microplastic I have already swallowed directly with toothpaste? Oh, I mean beakpaste.
Consumers can do a lot to reduce plastic and microplastic consumption in their everyday life.
Did you know, that worldwide more than 350 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year? Of this, 62 million tonnes were produced in Europe alone.
Save a lot of plastic waste by buying unpackaged products in bulk and filling your own reusable containers. There may also be an unpackaged shop in your vicinity.
Bring a bag or basket with you when you shop at the supermarket, then you don't need to buy an extra bag at the checkout.
Choose fruits and vegetables at the supermarket that are unpackaged - most have a protective peel and only need to be washed with water before eating. Smaller fruits and vegetables can be packed in reusable bags, which many supermarkets now offer themselves.
Shop plastic-free at the weekly market, choose products at the fresh counter instead of from the packaging-intensive refrigerated shelf at the supermarket. In most supermarkets or butcher's shops, you can have sausage and cheese filled in containers you bring yourself.
Drinks, milk, yoghurt and cream may be available in returnable bottles.
Drink tap water and use refillable bottles when travelling.
Demand determines supply. If we buy more unpackaged goods and reusable items, the suppliers will adjust to it.
Choose certified natural cosmetic products: These are always free of petroleum-based plastics!
Try unpackaged alternatives to conventional cosmetics, such as shampoo or hair treatments in solid soap form. There is a lot changing on the market right now.
Look for labels for microplastic-free products. Some drugstore chains have already developed labels for their own brands. The Blue Angel is also only awarded for liquid detergents, shampoos and cleaning products that are free of microplastics.
Check in the shop whether a product contains microplastics or other substances that are harmful to the environment and health. There are already various apps for smartphones that allow you to scan the barcode of the desired product directly while shopping. Just leave products with microplastics on the shelf.
Some manufacturers have already responded to the protests of environmentalists. Toothpastes, oh and beakpastes, are already microplastic-free, with a few exceptions.
Cosmetics manufacturers should comply with their voluntary self-commitment and ban microplastics completely from cosmetics, as well as from detergents and cleaning agents. There are numerous examples from natural cosmetics that manufacturers can follow. Customers should be informed by a "microplastics-free" label that the products do not contain microplastics.
Mobility plays a prominent role in the topic of microplastics. The abrasion of tyres on the road creates by far the largest amount of microplastic. We can all contribute to reducing our microplastic footprint by walking, cycling or using public transport more often. Although the soles of our shoes, bicycle tyres or skateboard wheels are also subject to wear and tear, the abrasion is much lower here due to the lower weight.
If driving cannot be avoided, a prudent driving style can reduce microplastics, at least to some extent, because more tyre abrasion occurs at high speeds, rapid acceleration or when driving around bends. Regularly checking tyre pressure contributes to the prevention of emissions.
If we walk, cycle or use public transport, we also cause less CO2 and fine dust.
Tyre manufacturers should network even more with scientific institutions and participate in research projects in order to promote the search for alternative materials or material compositions that produce fewer microplastic emissions.
In addition, customers should be informed at the time of purchase which parameters influence the formation of microplastics when driving.
Manufacturers of high-quality outdoor clothing often offer a repair service for their products. Ask, because here too, demand determines supply.
Europeans spend on average approximately 600 EUR per year per person for their clothes. (Eratex 2020). But this fast fashion system causes numerous negative impacts for the water and the environment. The simple answer is to by less and to use what we have for a longer time. An outdoor jacket that we wear for 15 years is so much better than any new one, even if it is partly made of recycled material.
Garments with high quality and timeless design can be worn longer.
If possible, load the washing machine with the maximum amount of clothes specified by the manufacturer. This means that the textiles are exposed to less mechanical stress. This protects your garments and releases fewer fibre fragments.
Researchers have found that significantly more fibres are released during the first wash cycles than during subsequent launderings. This also speaks in favour of slow fashion, i.e. wearing clothes longer.
Textiles are often washed much more often than necessary - so wash them only when really necessary, because every wash cycle emits microplastics.
Wash at a low temperature, as this also reduces the formation of microplastics.
If possible, set a normal wash programme. Gentle wash cycles release more microfibres due to the higher water volume.
My motto is "Less is more!"
Textile manufacturers should, if possible, pre-dry the finished garments before they go on sale. In this way, fibre fragments from the manufacturing processes can be removed from the textiles in a controlled manner. This would reduce the increased discharge of fibre fragments during the first washing cycles.
In addition, customers should be informed on the labels which parameters can reduce the emissions of fibre fragments during household washing.
Textile manufacturers should network even more with scientific institutions and participate in research projects to advance the search for alternative materials or material properties that produce fewer microplastic emissions.
The deposit on drinks from disposable bottles suggests that these plastic containers are reused in a similar way to reusable bottles. But this is not the case - they are disposed of with other plastic waste, and only a small portion can be recycled. Therefore, switch to reusable bottles.
Cleaning cloths made of microfibres often have no particular added value for cleaning in the kitchen or household. Replace them with more environmentally friendly alternatives made of cotton or other biodegradable materials. You can also use fabric scraps from old bed linen or tea towels for cleaning.
Avoid so-called bioplastics, such as plastic bags, which are supposedly compostable. And under no circumstances do these belong in the organic waste bin or on the compost heap! This is because biodegradability can only be guaranteed under very special conditions of industrial disposal, but not in normal composting plants.
Question your use of disposable items such as plastic tableware. Go for more durable alternatives made of wood or metal. Use to-go cups from suppliers with reusable systems.
A multi-level approach
A project consortium of five Italian and two German organisations has launched the Life Blue Lakes Project. Funded by the Life Programme of the European Union, the project partners are working on different levels to reduce the input of microplastics into our waters.
Further information can also be found on the project website https://lifebluelakes.eu/de/.
Project Partners in Germany
Global Nature Fund
Lake Constance Foundation
Project Partners in Italy
Legambiente (overall coordination)
Central Apennines River Basin District Authority (ABDAC)
Environmental Protection Agency of Umbria (ARPA UMBRIA)
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)
Polytechnical University Marche
Exemplary measures are being implemented at the three Italian lakes Garda, Trasimeno and Bracciano as well as in Germany at Lake Constance and Lake Chiemsee.
In the lake regions, the involvement of the neighbouring communities plays an important role. Together, a Lake Paper is to be developed as a voluntary commitment that shows numerous potentials for reducing microplastics in the communities.
The topic of microplastics is still relatively new. For this reason, there is currently still a lack of generally accepted, uniform definitions, standards and test procedures. Therefore, a standard protocol for the monitoring of microplastic pollution as well as for the exact determination of the microplastic content in water bodies is to be designed and tested in the two pilot regions Trasimeno and Bracciano Lake. In a second step, a technical protocol for reducing the release of microplastics from wastewater treatment plants is to be developed, which is already being applied in a pilot plant on Lake Garda as part of the project.
In a participatory process, we also want to look for solutions and alternatives with the tyre, cosmetics and outdoor industries. The consideration of current research approaches plays an important role here.
On a political level, the project team also wants to work towards adapting the legal framework to the new challenge of "microplastics" in order to effectively regulate and reduce the production and use of microplastics and consequently punish violations. To this end, a Lake White Paper will be prepared and presented to the relevant authorities (Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Health, Development, etc.) to advance legislative initiatives to protect lakes from microplastics at national and European level.
Plastic waste production in Europe is increasing. An important part of the project is therefore an information campaign for consumers. The aim is to inform them about what each individual can do to reduce the consumption of plastic and microplastics.