Materials and Publications

Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Vehicle tyres

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 emissions from vehicle tyres which are estimated to account for an annual release of 3.6 MT of microplastic to the environment:

Andy M. Booth (SINTEF Ocean, Norway), Lisbet Sørensen (SINTEF Ocean, Norway), Susanne Brander (Oregon State University, US) Judith S. Weis (Rutgers University, New Jersey, US), Winnie Courtene-Jones (Bangor University), Florence Parker-Jurd (University of Plymouth), and Richard C. Thompson (University of Plymouth).

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.

Latest Posts

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Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Vehicle tyres

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[…]

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Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Microfibres from textiles

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[…]

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Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Paint

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[…]

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Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Intentionally added plastics in personal care products

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[…]

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Science-based priorities for negotiators at INC-5.2

Document highlighting what the independent science shows is needed to achieve an effective plastics treaty. Science-based priorities for negotiators at INC-5.2 (EN) Prioridades basadas en la ciencia para los negociadores en INC-5.2 (ES) Priorités basées sur la science pour les négociateurs à la CIN-5.2 (FR)