The results from two major reports on microplastic pollution along the NSW coast  support the call for comprehensive pollution reduction plans from local, state and national governments. Our 7-year AUSMAP study "Do We Have a Microplastic Problem in NSW Coastal Waterways?" using a robust citizen science methodology found extensive foreshore pollution and last week’s EPA NSW’s report "Broadscale Microplastic Assessment" of the water column in estuaries reinforces these findings.  There’s now a very strong case for government, business and the community to undertake a major attack on microplastics, rather than the current ad hoc approach.  

Microplastics may be toxic and represent long-lasting and accumulating threats to marine life and human health. Urbanisation and our unnecessary and problematic use of plastic are key drivers.

The AUSMAP report recommended a suite of actions, including:

• Further restrictions on single-use plastics
• Regulation of synthetic grass to address crumb and blade loss into waterways 
• Mandatory adoption and enforcement of Operation Clean Sweep © principles to prevent industrial pellet loss, supported by compliance reporting
• Integration of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles to ensure producers are responsible for the lifecycle impacts of their products, including microplastic loss, associated chemical additives and end-of-life management
• Establishment of minimum standards for stormwater capture systems
• Integrate microplastic data into local planning and coastal zone management strategies

Many of these are echoed by the EPA, including:

• Foam packaging – regulate or phase out
• Artificial turf fragments – containment and phase out
• Pellets (nurdles) – enforce handling and containment

The EPA report also echoes our recommendations for developing baseline data across more locations, long-term and seasonal monitoring, trend tracking, and sampling during rain events when heightened loads of microplastics are found on our shorelines. Citizen science projects like AUSMAP offer a complimentary broad-scale, data-driven solution to rapidly identify microplastic hotspots, guide management priorities, and empower communities to drive meaningful change.

The latest NSW Plastic Plan 2.0 also contains some key measures such as microfilters on washing machines to capture polyester fibres, and further single-use phaseouts.  However, we are advocating for a single, comprehensive plan and robust effort over the coming years.