Rewrite Researchers warn the UK is falling behind international efforts as microplastics infiltrate food, bodies, and ecosystems this news headline for the science magazine post

The UK government must urgently draw up a comprehensive national strategy to tackle microplastic pollution or risk falling further behind international efforts to address one of the most pervasive environmental threats of our time, researchers have warned.

A new policy brief, delivered to MPs today (6th May 2025) by the University of Portsmouth’s Global Plastics Policy Centre, outlines the growing scale of the crisis and calls for a coordinated UK roadmap with clear targets and timelines. Developed in collaboration with leading UK microplastics scientists from 7 UK Universities, the brief highlights regulatory gaps and missed opportunities in government policy, despite mounting evidence of harm to human health, ecosystems and the economy.

The policy brief also warns that without immediate intervention, the UK risks falling further behind global leaders such as the EU and US, which are already introducing enforceable targets and limits on microplastics in water and industrial processes.

Despite mounting global evidence linking microplastics to environmental degradation and human health risks, the UK remains without a comprehensive approach. 

Whilst the UK has referenced microplastics in recent strategies – such as the Plan for Water and the Environmental Improvement Plan – none have included specific reduction targets. The only direct legislation is the  2017 ban on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, which addresses less than 5 percent of environmental microplastics in the UK.

The UK approach contrasts sharply with developments abroad. The EU and US have begun implementing reduction targets for pollution by microplastics and introducing regulatory limits for pollution in areas such as wastewater and drinking water – moves that researchers say are vital not only for environmental protection but for safeguarding public health and long-term economic resilience.

Dr Antaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth, explains: “Microplastic pollution represents a complex, transboundary policy challenge with implications for environmental health, public well-being, and long-term economic resilience. Its diffuse sources and persistence across ecosystems call for a coordinated and forward-looking response.

“The fact that the evidence is still emerging should not be a reason to delay action. A national roadmap informed by international developments is not only timely but necessary to ensure policy coherence and future readiness.” 

The policy brief urges the UK Government to establish a roadmap with measurable targets and timelines. Key urgent recommendations include establishing a clear policy framework which includes expanding regulation beyond cosmetic microbeads. This would encompass all primary and secondary microplastic sources, and the introduction of design standards to reduce shedding of microplastics from key sectors such as textiles, packaging and transport. 

It also calls for targeted regulations for high-emission sectors like agriculture, where the use of sewage sludge, which contains high concentrations of microplastics, and plastic-based mulching is contributing to widespread soil contamination. Evidence suggests that microplastics may impair plant health and productivity, threatening food security by reducing yields.

Further recommendations include:

Targets to address microplastics at source by reducing primary plastic production. This could be done by simplifying product design and incorporating transparency and traceability throughout the plastics lifecycle.
Collaboration with scientific bodies to inform evidence-based policymaking by funding research to establish safe microplastic exposure thresholds and identify key interventions to improve neglected areas such as soil and air quality.
Adoption of a sector-specific approach targeting high-pollution sectors including transport, textiles, paint and packaging.
Coordination with global initiatives to future-proof UK regulations, ensuring consistency with international measures. 

Professor Fay Couceiro, Microplastics Research Group at the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth says: “Microplastic pollution is an escalating threat with potentially irreversible consequences. Without decisive action, the UK’s environment and global leadership will be compromised, with potential impacts to  public health. Implementing a robust, forward-looking microplastic policy framework is urgent and essential to protect us, our environment and the economy.”

The policy brief concludes that a robust, science-led framework is essential to safeguard public health, protect ecosystems and stimulate innovation in safer materials and product systems that minimise microplastic release.

Dr March adds: “We need a clear signal of commitment through a coherent policy framework. This would position the UK to reduce harm, drive innovation across sectors, and demonstrate leadership in the global response to microplastic pollution.”

A copy of the policy brief can be accessed on 6th May here: 

ENDS

For more information contact: Emma Gaisford, Media Officer at the University of Portsmouth on 07889 504483  emma.gaisford@port.ac.uk