New rules aim to tackle plastic pellet pollution in the European Union

On Tuesday, the Council of the European Union agreed on new regulations aimed to reduce microplastic pollution, specifically plastic pellets, which are pre-production microplastics used to make most plastic products. This follows a major plastic pellet spill off the coast of Spain last year– where an estimated 26 tonnes of pellets were spilled– and is part of a broader strategy to reduce microplastic releases by 30% by 2030 in the European Union. 

The new regulations are the first to address plastic pellet pollution in the European Union. They include a set of measures, such as: risk assessments, measures to prevent spills, and prompt clean up should they occur. These new rules will apply to companies that handle more than five tonnes of pellets a year in the European Union and those that handle more than 1,000 tonnes annually must gain third-party registration certifying they are in compliance with the new rules. 

The newly passed rules also require the European Union to follow the new guidelines established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN arm overseeing international maritime shipping. The new recommendations outlined by the IMO stipulate that plastic pellets should be properly labeled and they need to be well packaged. 

It is estimated that 50,000-180,000 tonnes of pellets are lost each year in the EU due to poor handling and leaky containers, which is equivalent to up to 20 truckloads per day. 

Birds, fish, turtles and crustaceans can confuse plastic pellets for food, as the pellets resemble tadpoles, or fish and salamander eggs. If they mistake too many pellets for food, they can starve, as the plastic blocks their digestive tracts. 

Additionally, plastic pellets contain chemicals, such as plasticizers, flame retardants, UV stabilizers, etc. and they act as sponges. They both leach and absorb toxic chemicals, including DDT, PCBs, and mercury. These types of pollutants bioaccumulate, meaning they become more concentrated and more toxic as they move up the food chain. If we eat an animal or fish that has ingested plastic pellets, the plastic and toxic chemicals from that animal will end up in our system too.

This positive step to tackle plastic pellet pollution across the pond is something that we can also do here in the United States. There is a bill in Congress called the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would ban the discharge of plastic pellets from facilities that make, use, or transport them. Show your support by signing our petition.