More than three quarters of people in the U.K. are concerned about the impact of microplastics on the environment and human health, according to a new survey.
The poll, commissioned by Xeros Technology, which has been developing a washing machine microfibre filter, found that 80% of British people surveyed are concerned about the impact of microplastics on the environment and human health.
The same survey found 60% of respondents said they do not feel the U.K. government is doing enough to tackle plastic pollution, including that of microplastics.
And the Xeros survey also found 60% of British people are unaware of the fact that microplastics shed from clothes during washing.
A separate poll, commissioned by another company, Matter, which has been developing solutions for capturing, harvesting and recycling micropollutants, also found that 78% of respondents believe microfibre filters should be made mandatory on all new washing machines sold in Britain.
The Matter survey also found 58% of Brits would be willing to pay more for a washing machine that comes with a microfibre filter.
The two opinion polls were conducted ahead of the launch of a whitepaper, calling on the U.K. government to do more to tackle microplastic pollution by mandating for filters in all new washing machines.
The whitepaper has been co-authored by the environmental solutions group A Plastic Planet, Matter, PlanetCare, Xeros Technology, and the non-profit 5 Gyres Institute, and will be presented at the House of Lords next week.
The paper warns microplastics are a “pervasive environmental problem” and have infiltrated everywhere from the deepest ocean trenches to drinking water and food systems.
It also quotes figures, which estimate 5.6 million tonnes of synthetic microfibres were emitted from clothes washing between 1950 and 2016, with half of this amount being discharged between 2006 and 2016.
And according to the white paper, U.K. laundry alone generates an average of 17,234 tonnes of microfibres each year, weighing the equivalent of around 1,500 double-decker buses.
The paper highlights a number of filtration technology solutions, which it argues are effective at reducing the microplastic problem and are available in the near-term.
One has been developed by PlanetCare, which put the first retrofit, external microfibre filter on the market in 2019 and now has several thousand users around the globe.
It also highlights patented “self-cleaning” filter solution developed by Matter, which uses a regenerative process to separate micropollutants from wastewater, whilst also eliminating the need for replacement disposable filters.
The report also highlights the patented filtration system developed by Xeros Techology, which achieves a 99% microplastic capture rate and is available at both a domestic and commercial scale.
In 2022, campaigners also called on the British government to make it a legal requirement that all new washing machines are fitted with microplastic filters
A Plastic Planet co-founder, Sian Sutherland said in a statement people are extremely worried about what plastic is doing to their health and the world around us.
“Business can be the greatest force for change and innovation the world has ever known. But business has to take its lead from governments delivering the kind of legislation the British public are calling for,” added Sutherland.
Adam Root, CEO of Matter, said in a statement the opinion polls also show a strong majority of people believe microfibre filters should be made mandatory on all new washing machines sold in the UK.
“At the forthcoming general election, our political leaders must show decisive leadership on one of the most profound environmental and public health issues in a generation,” added Root.
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