Government looking at how to address plastic pellet loss

The government has released their response to the consultation on the proposal to ban the use of plastic microbeads and the call for evidence on other sources of microplastics entering the marine environment.  The ban on the manufacture of microbeads will start from 1^st Jan 2018 and the ban on the sale will be effective from 30^th June 2018. The scope of this ban will remain as rinse-off personal care products and will not include an exemption for biodegradable plastics.

As part of the call for evidence for other sources of microplastics that can end up in the marine environment plastic pellets were identified as a source. Significant for BPF members is that the government has said: ‘We are discussing with environmental group and research institutes how best to address pre-production pellet (nurdle) loss, such as by supporting the plastics industry to sign up to Operation Clean Sweep®…’.

This puts further pressure on industry to prove, through supporting Operation Clean Sweep®, that it is committed to containing plastic pellets, flakes and powders.

To read the consultation response please click here.

There are now 87 companies signed up to Operation Clean Sweep® and we encourage all members to sign up and ensure they have the processes in place to contain plastic pellets.

To find out more about Operation Clean Sweep® and to read case studies from companies already signed up please visit www.operationcleansweep.co.uk . If you have any questions please contact Helen Jordan ([email protected]).