This briefing aims to improve our understanding of microplastics released from textiles from a European perspective and identify pathways to reduce or prevent this release. The report by the EEA’s European Topic Centre on Circular Economy and Resource Use (ETC/CE) on microplastics from textiles that underpins this briefing is also made available.
Sources of microplastics in the environment
Mismanaged plastic waste ends up on land and in rivers, waterways and coastal waters, and adds to the growing amount of marine litter that pollutes oceans and beaches worldwide. It is estimated that 6-15 million tonnes of plastics,…