Quik, JTKHids, ARSteenmeijer, MAMellink, Yvan Bruggen, A2024-11-262024-11-262024-11-262024-10-0110.21945/rivm-2024-0106https://rivm.openrepository.com/handle/10029/627830Microplastics enter the environment through products that contain plastics. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management wants to know what the main sources of microplastics entering the environment are in the Netherlands. Based on this knowledge, the Ministry will be able to take measures to reduce these emissions. This is an update of a previous study by RIVM on the emission of microplastics. RIVM has drawn up a more complete overview of the largest sources of emissions in the Netherlands. Most microplastics (80 percent) end up in the soil. Depending on the source, they can also be emitted into water or air. This has now been included in an updated model. The three main sources of microplastics are tyre wear from road use, plastic pellets used by the industry to make plastic products, and plastic waste. Other sources of microplastics include paint, clothing, rubber granulate for synthetic turf fields and certain pesticides. RIVM created an overview of measures that may be effective in reducing emissions. These measures have been discussed with experts. All measures can be useful. However, further assessment remains necessary whether these measures are feasible, are technically possible and will be supported by society and the industry. Naturally, the greatest possible effect could be achieved by reducing the largest sources of emissions. For example, we could all cut back in use of plastic products. Moreover, additional regulations could prevent plastic pellets from leaking into the environment during transport or at industrial facilities. Finally, in order to reduce tyre wear, better tyres could be developed, and tyre wear particles could be filtered out by treating waste water from roads. Such treatment already takes place near cities, but not in more rural areas.application/pdfenRIVM rapport 2024-0106Report2024-11-26