Materials and Publications

Fact Sheet: Plastic pollution at each life stage

This fact sheet provides an overview over plastic pollution at each life stage – from resource extraction all the way to removal and remediation.

 

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Latest Posts

1
Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Microfibres from textiles (2026)

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)

2
Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Intentionally added plastics in personal care products (2026)

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)

3
Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Plastic pellets, powders, and flakes (2026)

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)

4
Monitoring Plastic Pollution in the Context of the Global Plastics Treaty

This policy brief addresses the challenge of monitoring plastic pollution in the context of the Global Plastics Treaty. Download in English Download in French

5
Key sources of microplastics to the environment: Spillage of plastic pellets, powders and flakes

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[…]