It is estimated 12.7 million metric tons (MT) of plastics enter the environment as microplastics every year, the main sources being paint, tyres, pellets, textiles and personal care products. There are substantial additional quantities from the fragmentation of larger items of plastic that have already entered the environment as debris.
The following document is part of a series of working papers that provide an overview of the fate, effects, and potential mitigation strategies for each of these sources of microplastics. It focuses on paint, which is estimated to be one of the largest sources of microplastics to the environment, accounting for annual releases of around 4.68 MT 1.
Rana Al-jaibachi (University of Sheffield, UK), Winnie Courtene-Jones (Bangor University, UK), Stephanie Reynaud (Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour; CNRS, France), Conrad Sparks (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SA), Juan Baztan (University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France), Max Kelly (University of Plymouth, UK), Richard C. Thompson (University of Plymouth, UK).
These working papers have been prepared independently by members of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty and have yet to go through the standard review process of the Scientists’ Coalition.
This short document provides an overview of useful scientific resources for each of the four clusters and other discussion topics planned by the Chair for the upcoming HoDs meetings. Download the document: In English here In French here In Spanish here
This document is part of a series on key sources of micro- and nanoplastics to the environment. It was originally published in 2024, and has been updated and republished in 2026. Download the document: Paint – A key source of microplastics to the environment (EN)
This document is part of a series on key sources of micro- and nanoplastics to the environment. It was originally published in 2024, and has been updated and republished in 2026. Download the document: Microfibres from textiles: Fate, effects, and mitigation strategies (EN)
This document is part of a series on key sources of micro- and nanoplastics to the environment. It was originally published in 2024, and has been updated and republished in 2026. Download the document: Intentionally added plastics in personal care products (EN)
This document is part of a series on key sources of micro- and nanoplastics to the environment. It was originally published in 2024, and has been updated and republished in 2026. Download the document: Plastic pellets, powders, and flakes – a key source of microplastics to the environment (EN)