Intentionally Added Microplastics
& artificial pitches
ON OUR
WEBPAGE
A FIDRA PROJECT
Intentionally added microplastics & artificial pitches
Microplastics are accumulating in rivers, soils, wildlife, and everyday spaces. A key but overlooked source of microplastic pollution are intentionally added microplastics (IAMs); small plastic particles deliberately manufactured to be under 5mm in size and used in numerous products such as detergents, agricultural products and rubber crumb infill used on artificial sports pitches.
Fidra’s intentionally added microplastics project focuses on rubber crumb infill as a key example of this overlooked source of plastic pollution and highlights the need for a UK-wide IAMs restriction to protect environmental health.
Microplastic can easily escape pitches ending up in the environment
THE PROBLEM
Microplastic pollution is widespread across ecosystems. Once in the environment, microplastics can cause harm to wildlife through ingestion and toxicity, transport hazardous chemicals, and contribute to long-term contamination of natural resources. Rubber crumb infill used in artificial sports pitches is feeding into this plastic pollution problem. In fact, microplastics from artificial sports pitches have been identified as one of the largest sources of intentionally added microplastic pollution, with over 16,000 tonnes estimated to be released over a 20-year period.
Once in the environment, microplastics can spread and end up in local waterways
THE SOLUTION
The UK should implement a broad restriction on intentionally added microplastics, including rubber crumb infill used in artificial sports pitches. This approach has already been adopted in the EU, demonstrating a way forward that is achievable and that supports innovation and uptake of more sustainable alternatives. There is a wide range of alternatives to artificial pitches and rubber crumb infills readily available, and some are already in use across the UK.
The rubber crumb infill can also leach harmful chemicals and toxic heavy metals harming wildlife
OUR ASKS
Fidra are calling on the UK government to introduce a wide-reaching restriction on intentionally added microplastics, including rubber crumb infill used in artificial sports pitches. This would protect the public and environment from a large and avoidable source of microplastic and chemical pollution, as well as promoting safe and sustainable alternatives necessary for a successful circular economy.
The infill layer on artificial pitches is unnecessarily made of microplastics, many sustainable alternatives are readily available
WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED
Fidra have inputted into key regulatory processes, including the EU restriction proposal on intentionally added microplastics and the Defra-commissioned report on intentionally added microplastic pollution in the UK.
More recently, Fidra submitted evidence on microplastic pollution for the All Party Parliamentary Group’s call for evidence on microplastics.
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