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<p>Defra is working with the Environment Agency (EA), academics and the UK water industry
to understand the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to establish detection
methods to identify, characterise and quantify the types of microplastics entering
our rivers. Although there has been substantive research reporting the presence and
impacts of microplastics in the marine environment, little is known about their sources,
release and impact on freshwaters and their ultimate transport to the marine environment.
Defra has commissioned evidence reviews to further understand these issues and will
use the outcomes from these and other research to develop policy options/measures/interventions
for removing plastic pollution from rivers.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no consistent
sampling, collection or assessment methodologies for measuring micro-plastics in various
environmental media (sediments, water column or biota), which means that routine monitoring
is not practicable. Defra is also working with the EA, academics and water companies
to develop methodologies to enable future monitoring of micro-plastics in wastewater,
sludge and the water environment.</p><p> </p><p>The EA takes steps to stop pollution
causing harm where they can clearly attribute the source of the substance, as without
this information it is not possible for them to take action. One of the sources of
plastic pollution comes from small beads used in industrial processes and EA are working
proactively to reduce the release of these small plastics pellets from the industries
they regulate.</p><p> </p><p>Plastic waste can also provide a source of micro-sized
plastics once in the environment. To address this, the Government has set a target
to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within the lifetime of the 25 Year Environment
Plan (by 2042) and set aside £20 million for research and development managed through
the Plastics Innovation Fund in March 2018. A further £10 million was committed in
the 2018 Autumn Budget for continued/additional plastics research and development
along with £10 million to pioneer innovative approaches to boosting recycling and
reducing litter.</p><p> </p>
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