Microplastic pollutions is becoming one of the world’s environmental main concerns, since is widespread in the environment threatening human health[1] and biodiversity. The European Green Deal (EGD), the new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and the EU Plastics Strategy announce measures to tackle pollution from microplastics that are intentionally added or unintentionally released into the environment (from e.g. synthetic textiles). According to the EU Action Plan ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ states that by 2030 the EU should reduce plastic litter at sea by 50% and microplastics by 30%[2].  The Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” ambition is to meet these objectives and targets to restore the health of the EU’s ocean and waters by 2030.To respond to these challenges, there is an urgent need to explore innovative solutions to address microplastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics can play a role in reducing the accumulation of microplastics in the environment, especially for applications where it is difficult or expensive to remove it from the environment, but, according to the SAPEA Group of Chief Scientific Advisors[3] “biodegradable plastics are not a ‘silver bullet’ to solve the problem of plastic pollution”, since they also present certain challenges.The EC funded several projects and initiatives to investigate under which conditions biodegradable plastics (and microplastics) can ensure long term positive impacts on the ecosystems.

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/research_and_innovation/groups/sam/ec_rtd_sam-mnp-opinion_042019.pdf

[2] Microplastics pollution – measures to reduce its impact on the environment (europa.eu)

[3] Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment – SAPEA

• Facilitate mutual learning and cross-fertilisation of experiences among stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations in light of incoming EU initiatives and policies

• scientific/research community
• policy makers
• stakeholder related to fishing and clothing (primary sector, industries, SMEs, retailers)
• multipliers and innovation ecosystem enablers (associations, clusters, NGOs, Institutions, initiatives, etc.)
• Investors
• standardisation and certification bodies
• civil society representatives

AGENDA

Find the updated Agenda HERE

MIRO BOARD

Find the MIRO board HERE

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

REPORT OF THE WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP RECORDING

For more information: Selenia Marinelli: marinelli@fvaweb.it