How Can We Tackle the Microplastics Challenge?

TNO, the Netherlands’ innovation engine, has recently conducted a study on microplastics and the strategies needed to significantly reduce their presence.

Microplastics are tiny, harmful particles that are increasingly found in the environment worldwide. To address this challenge, TNO’s study identified 17 mitigation strategies, whose effectiveness was also assessed as part of the research.

Grouped into 9 categories, these strategies could lead to a 37% reduction in microplastics by 2030, and up to 70% by 2050.

The Three Most Impactful Mitigation Strategies

Among the 17 strategies identified, the following have the greatest impact on reducing microplastics:

1. implementing the R‑strategies: Refuse (1) and Reduce (2)
2. restricting single‑use plastics
3. using higher-quality materials

Each of these strategies alone can generate an impact of more than 15% in preventing or reducing the formation of microplastics.

The Most Effective Approach

The key word is collaboration.

The best results will be achieved through cooperation across the entire value chain (governments, businesses, and consumers) at both European and international levels.

Discover all strategies in the microplastics white paper.

Find out more about TNO’s studies on circular plastics.