Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

More than 50 organisations, including Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Friends of the Earth Cymru, have signed an open letter calling for Welsh Government action on microplastics.

The letter, published on Friday July 14, calls on the Welsh Government to create an action plan to tackle microplastics, pulling together relevant organisations and experts in the process.

The letter has been published by Sustainable Clothing and Textiles Cymru, which is a coalition of charities, businesses, education providers and individuals campaigning for a more sustainable textiles industry in Wales.

Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic, thinner than a human hair, that are shed from consumer products and waste, as well as clothes when washed.

Microplastics can be toxic to marine life and even life on land. Studies have suggested eight in ten people have microplastics in their blood.

Stephanie Matthews from Sustainable Clothing and Textiles Cymru, said: “Microplastics are just too important to ignore.

“There is so much that can be done. The earlier we start the better.” 

Tony Harrington, director of environment for Dwr Water Welsh Water, said: “Many of the solutions are relatively simple and already under adoption elsewhere. 

“We hope the action needed to reduce the pollution caused by microplastics can be implemented swiftly at source, and so minimise the costs and time taken to implement change.”

Another organisation to have signed the letter is the National Federation of Women’s Institutes Wales.

Its chair, Jill Rundle, said members were “deeply concerned” about the issue.

She continued: “Our own research found that UK households are doing as much as 68 million loads of laundry a week, releasing at least 9.4 trillion microplastic fibres a week in the UK. 

“We need urgent action to stem the tide of plastic pollution that is harming our environment and wildlife.

“That’s why we want to see the Welsh Government develop a microplastics action plan for Wales to drive forward meaningful action in Wales to tackle this plastic pollution crisis.”

Welsh Government response

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have already introduced several pieces of legislation to prevent plastic pollution – this includes bans on microbeads, the single-use carrier bag charge and bans on several commonly littered single-use plastic products.

“Microplastics originate from a range of different sources, including industrial and domestic activities and so we have several evidence-based strategies designed to tackle the problem.

“This is a complex and evolving area of science and so we continue to carry out research and, where appropriate, take action.”