Microplastics Reports

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Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Mohamed Saad, Cécile Mirande, Bruno Tassin, Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 17 January 2016, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.006.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X16300066)

Abstract: Sources, pathways and reservoirs of microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, remain poorly documented in an urban context. While some studies pointed out wastewater treatment plants as a potential pathway of microplastics, none have focused on the atmospheric compartment. In this work, the atmospheric fallout of microplastics was investigated in two different urban and sub-urban sites. Microplastics were collected continuously with a stainless steel funnel. Samples were then filtered and observed with a stereomicroscope. Fibers accounted for almost all the microplastics collected. An atmospheric fallout between 2 and 355 particles/m2/day was highlighted. Registered fluxes were systematically higher at the urban than at the sub-urban site. Chemical characterization allowed to estimate at 29% the proportion of these fibers being all synthetic (made with petrochemicals), or a mixture of natural and synthetic material. Extrapolation using weight and volume estimates of the collected fibers, allowed a rough estimation showing that between 3 and 10 tons of fibers are deposited by atmospheric fallout at the scale of the Parisian agglomeration every year (2500 km2). These results could serve the scientific community working on the different sources of microplastic in both continental and marine environments.

Keywords: Microplastics; Urban environment; Atmospheric fallout; Microplastic sources; Synthetic fibers

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X16300066_In_Press_Corrected_Proof.pdf

Note to users:

Corrected proofs are Articles in Press that contain the authors’ corrections. Final citation details, e.g., volume and/or issue number, publication year and page numbers, still need to be added and the text might change before final publication.

Although corrected proofs do not have all bibliographic details available yet, they can already be cited using the year of online publication and the DOI , as follows: author(s), article title, Publication (year), DOI. Please consult the journal’s reference style for the exact appearance of these elements, abbreviation of journal names and use of punctuation.

When the final article is assigned to volumes/issues of the Publication, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the Publication. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over.

Maria Cristina Fossi, Letizia Marsili, Matteo Baini, Matteo Giannetti, Daniele Coppola, Cristiana Guerranti, Ilaria Caliani, Roberta Minutoli, Giancarlo Lauriano, Maria Grazia Finoia, Fabrizio Rubegni, Simone Panigada, Martine Bérubé, Jorge Urbán Ramírez, Cristina Panti, Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios, Environmental Pollution, Volume 209, February 2016, Pages 68-78, ISSN 0269-7491, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.11.022.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749115301822)

Abstract: The impact that microplastics have on baleen whales is a question that remains largely unexplored. This study examined the interaction between free-ranging fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and microplastics by comparing populations living in two semi-enclosed basins, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California, Mexico). The results indicate that a considerable abundance of microplastics and plastic additives exists in the neustonic samples from Pelagos Sanctuary of the Mediterranean Sea, and that pelagic areas containing high densities of microplastics overlap with whale feeding grounds, suggesting that whales are exposed to microplastics during foraging; this was confirmed by the observation of a temporal increase in toxicological stress in whales. Given the abundance of microplastics in the Mediterranean environment, along with the high concentrations of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemicals, plastic additives and biomarker responses detected in the biopsies of Mediterranean whales as compared to those in whales inhabiting the Sea of Cortez, we believe that exposure to microplastics because of direct ingestion and consumption of contaminated prey poses a major threat to the health of fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea.

Keywords: Microplastics; Baleen whales; Plastic additives; PBT chemicals; Mediterranean Sea; Sea of Cortez

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0269749115301822.pdf

Scott Lambert, Martin Wagner, Characterisation of nanoplastics during the degradation of polystyrene, Chemosphere, Volume 145, February 2016, Pages 265-268, ISSN 0045-6535, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.11.078.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653515304094)

Abstract: The release of plastics into the environment has been identified as an important issue for some time. Recent publications have suggested that the degradation of plastic materials will result in the release of nano-sized plastic particles to the environment. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was applied to characterise the formation of nanoplastics during the degradation of a polystyrene (PS) disposable coffee cup lid. The results clearly show an increase in the formation of nanoplastics over time. After 56 days’ exposure the concentration of nanoplastics in the PS sample was 1.26 × 108 particles/ml (average particles size 224 nm) compared to 0.41 × 108 particles/ml in the control.

Keywords: Nanoplastics; Microplastics; Polystyrene; Degradation; Environment; Nanoparticle tracking analysis

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653515304094/pdfft?md5=a269e36a0f6530b3682cbae250ba1827&pid=1-s2.0-S0045653515304094-main.pdf

Charlene Boucher, Marie Morin, L.I. Bendell, The influence of cosmetic microbeads on the sorptive behavior of cadmium and lead within intertidal sediments: A laboratory study, Regional Studies in Marine Science, Volume 3, January 2016, Pages 1-7, ISSN 2352-4855, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2015.11.009.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485515300025)

Abstract: Concentrations of microplastics within two geographically distinct urban locations within Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (BC), and the influence of facial scrub microbeads on lead and cadmium sorption within intertidal sediments were determined. Bulk intertidal sediment sampled from Cates Park (CP) located within the protected part of the inlet contained greater concentrations of microplastics (5560/kg wet sediment) as compared to Horseshoe Bay (HSB) (3120/kg wet sediment) located on the exposed open part of the inlet. Of the recovered microplastics ca. 75% were characterized as microbeads. Laboratory controlled microcosm experiments in which microbeads separated from a commercial facial scrub were added to bulk sediments collected from CP at ambient and 10-fold ambient (high) concentrations indicated that the microbeads acted as sorption sites. At ambient concentrations, less lead was recovered from pore water and surface water of treatment as compared to control microcosms. At high concentrations, the microbeads acted as a contaminant source to the microcosms, notably cadmium. Sorption of lead to microbeads has important implications for the potential role of microplastics, in this case microbeads acting as a yet quantified link in aquatic food webs.

Keywords: Microbeads; Lead; Cadmium; Intertidal sediments; Flood tide; Ebb tide

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S2352485515300025.pdf

Pedro Ferreira, Elsa Fonte, M. Elisa Soares, Felix Carvalho, Lúcia Guilhermino, Effects of multi-stressors on juveniles of the marine fish Pomatoschistus microps: Gold nanoparticles, microplastics and temperature, Aquatic Toxicology, Volume 170, January 2016, Pages 89-103, ISSN 0166-445X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.11.011.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166445X15300941)

Abstract: Knowledge on multi-stressors effects required for environmental and human risk assessments is still limited. This study investigated the combined effects of gold nanoparticles (Au-NP), microplastics (MP) and temperature increase on Pomatoschistus microps, an important prey for several higher level predators, including some species edible to humans. Four null hypotheses were tested: H01: P. microps juveniles do not take up Au-NP through the water; H02: Au-NP (ppb range) are not toxic to juveniles; H03: the presence of MP do not influence the effects of Au-NP on juveniles; H04: temperature increase (20–25 °C) does not change the effects of the tested chemicals on juveniles. Wild juveniles were acclimated to laboratory conditions. Then, they were exposed to Au-NP (≈5 nm diameter) and MP (polyethylene spheres, 1–5 μm diameter), alone and in mixture, at 20 °C and 25 °C, in semi-static conditions. After 96 h of exposure to Au-NP, fish had gold in their body (0.129–0.546 μg/g w.w.) leading to H01 refusal. Exposure to Au-NP alone caused a predatory performance decrease (≈−39%, p < 0.05) leading to H02 refusal. MP did not change the Au-NP toxicity leading to H03 acceptance. Temperature rise significantly increased the concentration of gold in fish exposed to Au-NP (≈2.3 fold), and interacted with chemical effects (e.g. glutathione S-transferases activity) leading to H04 refusal. Thus, the results of this study highlight the importance of further investigating the effects of multi-stressors on marine fish, particularly the effects of temperature on the uptake, biotransformation, elimination and effects of nanoparticles and microplastics, either alone or in mixture. This knowledge is most important to improve the basis for environmental and human risk assessments of these environmental contaminants of high concern.

Keywords: Pomatoschistus microps; Temperature; Gold nanoparticles; Microplastics; Predatory performance; Biomarkers

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0166445X15300941.pdf

Sascha B. Sjollema, Paula Redondo-Hasselerharm, Heather A. Leslie, Michiel H.S. Kraak, A. Dick Vethaak, Do plastic particles affect microalgal photosynthesis and growth?, Aquatic Toxicology, Volume 170, January 2016, Pages 259-261, ISSN 0166-445X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.12.002.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166445X15301168)

Abstract: The unbridled increase in plastic pollution of the world’s oceans raises concerns about potential effects these materials may have on microalgae, which are primary producers at the basis of the food chain and a major global source of oxygen. Our current understanding about the potential modes and mechanisms of toxic action that plastic particles exert on microalgae is extremely limited. How effects might vary with particle size and the physico-chemical properties of the specific plastic material in question are equally unelucidated, but may hold clues to how toxicity, if observed, is exerted. In this study we selected polystyrene particles, both negatively charged and uncharged, and three different sizes (0.05, 0.5 and 6 μm) for testing the effects of size and material properties. Microalgae were exposed to different polystyrene particle sizes and surface charges for 72 h. Effects on microalgal photosynthesis and growth were determined by pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry and flow cytometry, respectively. None of the treatments tested in these experiments had an effect on microalgal photosynthesis. Microalgal growth was negatively affected (up to 45%) by uncharged polystyrene particles, but only at high concentrations (250 mg/L). Additionally, these adverse effects were demonstrated to increase with decreasing particle size.

Keywords: Primary production; Plastic pollution; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Polystyrene particles; PAM assay

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0166445X15301168.pdf

Fares John Biginagwa, Bahati Sosthenes Mayoma, Yvonne Shashoua, Kristian Syberg, Farhan R. Khan, First evidence of microplastics in the African Great Lakes: Recovery from Lake Victoria Nile perch and Nile tilapia, Journal of Great Lakes Research, Available online 11 November 2015, ISSN 0380-1330, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2015.10.012.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133015002105)

Abstract: Microplastic contamination in the African Great Lakes is currently unreported, and compared to other regions of the world little is known about the occurrence of microplastics in African waters and their fauna. The present study was conducted in the Mwanza region of Tanzania, located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria. The gastrointestinal tracts of locally fished Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were examined for plastics. Plastics were confirmed in 20% of fish from each species by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. A variety of polymer types were identified with likely sources being urban waste and consumer use. Although further research is required to fully assess the impact of plastic pollution in this region, our study is the first to report the presence of microplastics in Africa’s Great Lakes and within the fish species that inhabit them.

Index words: Plastic ingestion; Lates niloticus; Oreochromis niloticus; Lake Victoria; East Africa; ATR-FTIR analysis

Note to users: Corrected proofs are Articles in Press that contain the authors’ corrections. Final citation details, e.g., volume and/or issue number, publication year and page numbers, still need to be added and the text might change before final publication.

Although corrected proofs do not have all bibliographic details available yet, they can already be cited using the year of online publication and the DOI , as follows: author(s), article title, Publication (year), DOI. Please consult the journal’s reference style for the exact appearance of these elements, abbreviation of journal names and use of punctuation.

When the final article is assigned to volumes/issues of the Publication, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the Publication. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over.

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0380133015002105_In_Press_Corrected_Proof.pdf

https://usresponserestoration.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/on-the-hunt-for-shipping-containers-lost-off-california-coast/

On the Hunt for Shipping Containers Lost off California Coast

December 16, 2015 by Office of Response and Restoration

On December 11, 2015, the Matson container ship M/V Manoa was en route to Seattle from Oakland, California, when it lost 12 large containers in heavy seas. At the time of the spill, the ship was maneuvering in order to allow the San Francisco Bay harbor pilot to disembark.

The containers, which are 40 feet long and 9 feet wide, are reported as empty except for miscellaneous packing materials, such as plastic crates and packing materials such as Styrofoam. Luckily there were no hazardous materials in the cargo that was spilled.

The accident occurred about eight miles outside of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Three containers have come ashore, two at or near Baker Beach, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge, and one at Mori Point near Pacifica, California. The search continues for the others.

http://www.albieandphil.com

Who are Albie and Phil?

Albie Cross (young Albatross) and Phil (crab with a  bad sense of humour) have come into your world to help explain the damaged caused by plastic pollution and make us think twice about our disposable society and behaviour of consuming plastic bottles.

They would like you to join their movement and help raise awareness that the 200 billion plastic bottles consumed per year is not just killing them by ultimately will threaten the entire eco system of this planet, wildlife and us.

Be inspired to change your decision to consume plastic bottles and make the choice to be the leader in your family, school, at work, at your social club or gym, down the pool, at the beach, walking in the park, on the TV, on a photo shoot, in the paper or anytime you take a drink of water.

It’s simple, Albie and Phil ask you to just think before you drink to help reduce your plastic footprint.

http://plastinography.org

Welcome to your first plastinography lesson

You have probably heard there’s lots of plastic in the ocean. But how does it get there? Why is it bad? And what can you do? In six lessons, we’ll take you through the basics of plastics in the ocean: plastinography.

Let’s take a look at where the plastic problem starts. Close this screen and start exploring by clicking on the circles.

Once you’ve clicked on all the circles, go to the next lesson. Or use the navigation button in the top left to move through all the lessons.

Dear colleagues,

Since nothing was sent during the period from 16 September to 14 December, please find below the articles published in volumes 99 (15 October 2015) and 100 (15 November 2015) of the Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Kind regards,

Fabiano

Weiwei Zhang, Xindong Ma, Zhifeng Zhang, Yan Wang, Juying Wang, Jing Wang, Deyi Ma, Persistent organic pollutants carried on plastic resin pellets from two beaches in China, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 28-34, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.002.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15005068)

Abstract: Microplastics provide a mechanism for the long-range transport of hydrophobic chemical contaminants to remote coastal and marine locations. In this study, plastic resin pellets were collected from Zhengmingsi Beach and Dongshan Beach in China. The collected pellets were analyzed for PAHs, PCBs, HCHs, DDTs, chlordane, heptachlor, endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. The total concentration of PCBs ranged from 34.7–213.7 ng g−1 and from 21.5–323.2 ng g−1 in plastic resin pellets for Zhengmingsi Beach and Dongshan Beach respectively. The highest concentrations of PCBs were observed for congeners 44, 110, 138, 155 and 200. The total concentration of PAHs ranged from 136.3–1586.9 ng g−1 and from 397.6–2384.2 ng g−1 in the plastic pellets, whereas DDTs concentration ranged from 1.2–101.5 ng g−1 and from 1.5–127.0 ng g−1 for the two beaches. The elevated concentrations of pollutants appear to be related to extensive industrial development, agricultural activity and the use of coal in the area.

Keywords: Microplastics; PCBs; PAHs; OCPs

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15005068.pdf

Lincoln Fok, P.K. Cheung, Hong Kong at the Pearl River Estuary: A hotspot of microplastic pollution, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 112-118, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.050.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15004701)

Abstract: Large plastic (>5 mm) and microplastic (0.315–5 mm) debris were collected from 25 beaches along the Hong Kong coastline. More than 90% consisted of microplastics. Among the three groups of microplastic debris, expanded polystyrene (EPS) represented 92%, fragments represented 5%, and pellets represented 3%. The mean microplastic abundance for Hong Kong was 5595 items/m2. This number is higher than international averages, indicating that Hong Kong is a hotspot of marine plastic pollution. Microplastic abundance was significantly higher on the west coast than on the east coast, indicating that the Pearl River, which is west of Hong Kong, may be a potential source of plastic debris. The amounts of large plastic and microplastic debris of the same types (EPS and fragments) were positively correlated, suggesting that the fragmentation of large plastic material may increase the quantity of beach microplastic debris.

Keywords: Marine debris; Microplastics; Abundance; Beach survey; Hong Kong; Pearl River Estuary

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15004701.pdf

Imogen E. Napper, Adil Bakir, Steven J. Rowland, Richard C. Thompson, Characterisation, quantity and sorptive properties of microplastics extracted from cosmetics, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 178-185, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.029.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1500449X)

Abstract: Cosmetic products, such as facial scrubs, have been identified as potentially important primary sources of microplastics to the marine environment. This study characterises, quantifies and then investigates the sorptive properties of plastic microbeads that are used as exfoliants in cosmetics. Polyethylene microbeads were extracted from several products, and shown to have a wide size range (mean diameters between 164 and 327 μm). We estimated that between 4594 and 94,500 microbeads could be released in a single use. To examine the potential for microbeads to accumulate and transport chemicals they were exposed to a binary mixture of 3H-phenanthrene and 14C-DDT in seawater. The potential for transport of sorbed chemicals by microbeads was broadly similar to that of polythene (PE) particles used in previous sorption studies. In conclusion, cosmetic exfoliants are a potentially important, yet preventable source of microplastic contamination in the marine environment.

Keywords: Microplastic; Exfoliating microbeads; Polyethylene; Ocean pollution; Contaminant

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X1500449X.pdf

Andrea Stolte, Stefan Forster, Gunnar Gerdts, Hendrik Schubert, Microplastic concentrations in beach sediments along the German Baltic coast, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 216-229, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.022.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15004427)

Abstract: The contamination with microplastic particles and fibres was evaluated on beaches along the German Baltic coast. Sediments were sampled near the Warnow and Oder/Peene estuaries, on Rügen island and along the Rostock coast to derive possible entry pathways. Seasonal variations were monitored along the Rostock coast from March to July 2014. After density separation in saline solution, floating particles were found to be dominated by sand grains. Water surface tension is shown to be sufficient to explain floatation of grains with sizes less than 1.5 mm. Selecting intensely coloured particles and fibres, we find lower limits of the microplastic concentrations of 0–7 particles/kg and 2–11 fibres/kg dry sediment. The largest microplastic contaminations are measured at the Peene outlet into the Baltic Sea and in the North Sea Jade Bay. City discharges, industrial production sites, fishing activity and tourism are the most likely sources for the highest microplastic concentrations.

Keywords: Microplastics; Marine debris; German Baltic coast; Abundance; Spatial distribution; Seasonal variation

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15004427.pdf

Elena Gorokhova, Screening for microplastic particles in plankton samples: How to integrate marine litter assessment into existing monitoring programs?, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 271-275, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.056.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15004762)

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) are a newly recognized type of environmental pollution in aquatic systems; however no monitoring of these contaminants is conducted, mostly due to the lack of routine quantification. In the net samples collected with a 90-μm WP2 net, pelagic MP abundance was quantified by light microscopy and evaluated as a function of inshore–offshore gradient, depth, and season; the same samples were used for zooplankton analysis. The MP abundance was ∼102–104 particles m−3, with no significant inshore–offshore gradient during summer but increasing offshore in winter. MP abundance in deeper layers was positively affected by zooplankton abundance in the upper layers and significantly lower during winter compared to summer. These findings indicate heterogeneity of MP distribution due to biotic and abiotic factors and suggest that samples collected for other purposes can be used for quantification of MPs in the Baltic Sea, thus facilitating integration of MP assessment into existing monitoring schemes.

Keywords: Pelagic microplastics; Marine litter; Zooplankton monitoring; Vertical distribution; Baltic Sea; Copepods

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15004762.pdf

Diogo Neves, Paula Sobral, Tânia Pereira, Marine litter in bottom trawls off the Portuguese coast, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 99, Issues 1–2, 15 October 2015, Pages 301-304, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.044.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15004646)

Abstract: Benthic marine litter along the Portuguese coast, was recorded in 14 trips on stern trawlers covering a distance of 2117 km and an area of 56.2 km2, average depth range 90–349 m. 2034 items of marine litter were registered, 76% were plastics and 38.6% were originated from fishing related activities. Plastic was present in all the trawls and had the highest average density of all litter categories, 50 items km−2.

The highest density of marine litter (178.9 ± 64.0 items km−2) was found in the proximity of the Tagus river mouth, probably related to the high population density in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

This study highlights the need to raise fishermen awareness for the adoption of good environmental practices that will contribute to the reduction of marine litter.

Keywords: Bottom marine litter trawls; Plastics; Fishing gear; Portugal

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15004646.pdf

Kristina Enders, Robin Lenz, Colin A. Stedmon, Torkel G. Nielsen, Abundance, size and polymer composition of marine microplastics ≥ 10 μm in the Atlantic Ocean and their modelled vertical distribution, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 100, Issue 1, 15 November 2015, Pages 70-81, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.027.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15300370)

Abstract: We studied abundance, size and polymer type of microplastic down to 10 μm along a transect from the European Coast to the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (NASG) using an underway intake filtration technique and Raman micro-spectrometry. Concentrations ranged from 13 to 501 items m− 3. Highest concentrations were observed at the European coast, decreasing towards mid-Atlantic waters but elevated in the western NASG. We observed highest numbers among particles in the 10–20 μm size fraction, whereas the total volume was highest in the 50–80 μm range. Based on a numerical model size-dependent depth profiles of polyethylene microspheres in a range from 10–1000 μm were calculated and show a strong dispersal throughout the surface mixed layer for sizes smaller than 200 μm. From model and field study results we conclude that small microplastic is ubiquitously distributed over the ocean surface layer and has a lower residence time than larger plastic debris in this compartment.

Keywords: Small microplastic; Continuous monitoring; Horizontal distribution; Size-selective vertical distribution; Model

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15300370.pdf

Robin Lenz, Kristina Enders, Colin A. Stedmon, David M.A. Mackenzie, Torkel Gissel Nielsen, A critical assessment of visual identification of marine microplastic using Raman spectroscopy for analysis improvement, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 100, Issue 1, 15 November 2015, Pages 82-91, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.026.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15300424)

Abstract: Identification and characterisation of microplastic (MP) is a necessary step to evaluate their concentrations, chemical composition and interactions with biota. MP ≥ 10 μm diameter filtered from below the sea surface in the European and subtropical North Atlantic were simultaneously identified by visual microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy. Visually identified particles below 100 μm had a significantly lower percentage confirmed by Raman than larger ones indicating that visual identification alone is inappropriate for studies on small microplastics. Sixty-eight percent of visually counted MP (n = 1279) were spectroscopically confirmed being plastic. The percentage varied with type, colour and size of the MP. Fibres had a higher success rate (75%) than particles (64%). We tested Raman micro-spectroscopy applicability for MP identification with respect to varying chemical composition (additives), degradation state and organic matter coating. Partially UV-degraded post-consumer plastics provided identifiable Raman spectra for polymers most common among marine MP, i.e. polyethylene and polypropylene.

Keywords: Small microplastics; RAMAN; Spectroscopy; Photodegradation

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15300424.pdf

Melissa B. Phillips, Timothy H. Bonner, Occurrence and amount of microplastic ingested by fishes in watersheds of the Gulf of Mexico, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 100, Issue 1, 15 November 2015, Pages 264-269, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.041.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15300060)

Abstract: Ingestion of microplastics by fishes could be an emerging environmental crisis because of the proliferation of plastic pollution in aquatic environments. Microplastics in marine ecosystems are well documented, however only one study has reported percent occurrence of microplastics in freshwater fishes. The purpose of this study was to quantify the occurrences and types of microplastics ingested by fishes within several freshwater drainages of the Gulf of Mexico and an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. Among 535 fishes examined in this study, 8% of the freshwater fishes and 10% of the marine fishes had microplastics in their gut tract. Percentage occurrence of microplastics ingested by fishes in non-urbanized streams (5%) was less than that of one of the urbanized streams (Neches River; 29%). Percent occurrence of microplastics by habitat (i.e., benthic, pelagic) and trophic guilds (herbivore/omnivore, invertivore, carnivore) were similar. Low but widespread occurrences among drainages, habitat guilds, and trophic guilds indicate proliferation of plastic pollution within watersheds of the Gulf of Mexico, but consequences to fish health are unknown at this time.

Keywords: Plastic pollution; Texas rivers; Habitat guilds; Trophic guilds; Urbanized and non-urbanized streams

http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15300060.pdf

Plastic kills and injures animals

by Posted in 2 BAD PLASTIC Tagged , 2 Comments

Plastic in the environment presents a danger to animals in a number of ways.

First many animals eat plastic trash mistaking it for food or eating waste food from plastic bags. In  March 2013  a sperm whale washed up on Spain’s South Coast was found to consumed  59 different plastic items including transparent sheeting used to build greenhouses in Almeria and Grenada, plastic bags, nine meters of rope, hosepipe, flower pots, and a plastic spray canister. Cause of death was intestinal blockage.

Turtles, fish and seabirds all eat plastic and suffer as a consequence.

Plastic is just as lethal on land:  camels die from plastic “rocks” in their intestines and elephants and cows have been found with internal blockages caused by having eaten plastic.

Even if the plastic doesn’t kill outright, a diet of plastic has no nutritional value. Animals that eat plastic are found to be underdeveloped and underweight. “Dr. Jennifer Lavers found 270 pieces of plastic inside an 80 day old Flesh-footed shearwater chick last year. She’s also found that 100% of this species on Lord Howe Island contain plastic. Populations have already declined by more than 50% in the past 35 years. We need to find out more, before it’s too late.”

Micro bits of plastic may be killing the tiny creatures. Traditional plastics degrade rather than biodegrade, which means they simply break up and fall apart into smaller pieces. The plastic has not changed its structure as such – merely fragmented.  These particles are called micro plastics and are being found in the oceans in ever-increasing quantities. Aquatic microorganisms such as plankton can also mistake micro plastic particles for food and subsequently be killed by the adverse effects of the particle on the organism’s digestive tract. 

Then there are the as yet unknown consequences of eating plastic. Sea bourne plastic  particles can both release chemicals (used in the manufacture of the product) and attract toxins. Research indicates that toxins such as persistent organic pollutants POPs (present in the sea water)  stick to the plastic creating a toxic pellet. Marine animals eat these pellets. Researchers and scientists are becoming increasingly concerned that “this provides a feasible pathway to transfer attached pollutants and additive chemicals into their tissues”  which will have a negative effect on the animals who consume them. This research on lugworms indicates that there are.

Persistent organic pollutants POPs are stored in the fatty tissues of animals and are passed on up through the food chain.  They are bioaccumulate which has implications for the animals who consume the animals who consume the plastic! The chemicals absorbed by the plastic are  transferred to the fish and possibly the consumer of the fish.

Plastic fishing nets are also extremely dangerous. Huge nets (between 75 feet to over 30 miles in length and sometimes several hundred meters deep) can and do get lost at sea. These ghost nets entangle animals who die of starvation. Modern synthetic (plastic)  netting can sustain this cycle indefinitely while drifting over a vast range; ghost nets from around the Pacific have washed ashore on beaches as far apart as Alaska and the outer Hawaiian Islands.

Read the reports here

Fork in turtles nose…
...seems like those dumb turtles just cant stop damaging themselves on our everlasting litter. This one has a plastic fork stuck in its nose. It was only last month I reported on a turtle with a straw in its ...
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Straws Suck – just say no…
Think refusing plastic straws is a pointless gesture? Saying no a ridiculous over reaction by the plastic free killjoys. Have a look at this gruesome video of a plastic straw being removed from a turtles snout and think again ...
Read More
Plastic in Plankton
Images of microplastic ingestion by plankton. From Cole, Matthew, et al. “Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton.” Environmental science & technology (2013). Laboratory studies that have shown ingestion in marine species. Zooplankton: Cole et al. 2013 Invertebrates: Thompson et al. 2004; ...
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Cows killed by plastic
Cows hanging about on street corners eating plastic bags. Doesn't do them any good at all and it is estimated that thousand dies each month from accidently ingesting the bad stuff. The following is Taken from the Karuna Society for ...
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What plastic should you feed your turtle
Plastic bags have been found in stomachs of the following marine species. several of which are classified as endangered 2013 Loggerhead turtle  with links to earlier reports by  Plotkin and Amos 1990; Bjorndal and Bolten. 1994) 2001  Marine Debris ...
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Bees collect polyurethane and polyethylene plastics as novel nest materials
http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00308.1 Abstract: Plastic waste pervades the global landscape. Although adverse impacts on both species and ecosystems have been documented, there are few observations of behavioral flexibility and adaptation in species, especially insects, to increasingly plastic-rich environments. Here, two species ...
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Dirty Beaches, Polluted Sea
Most plastics are oil derived and non biodegradable. Which means plastics last for decades, centuries possibly forever (read more here about plastic how it is made and the different types). We are using this everlasting product to make items ...
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Plastic in Fish
Blackfin tuna (Manooch and Mason. 1983) Chelsea M. Rochman, Rebecca L. Lewison, Marcus Eriksen, Harry Allen, Anna-Marie Cook, Swee J. Teh, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish tissue may be an indicator of plastic contamination in marine habitats, Science of The ...
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squirrels eating plastic
What squirrels should be eating ... and what they are eating. Thanks to  Harry Shuldman for this great picture ..... In his own words... "squirrel in Wash. Sq. Park forcing a wadded up plastic bag down its throat. I tried to shoo him ...
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Plastic kills and injures animals
Plastic in the environment presents a danger to animals in a number of ways. First many animals eat plastic trash mistaking it for food or eating waste food from plastic bags. In  March 2013  a sperm whale washed up on Spain’s ...
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Camels & Plastic
Every year hundreds of camels die each year from ingesting plastic bags. "Every day we have a camel that has died in a camel camp. One in every two camels dies from plastic," Dr. Ulrich Wernery, scientific director at the ...
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Whales & Dolphins
Cuviers Beaked Whale (2) Originally uploaded by Dennis@Stromness The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust took various skin and blubber samples and removed the stomach for further study by the Scottish Agricultural College. On initial removal it was found that ...
Read More
Elephants & Plastic
Wild life vet Jerry Haigh writes “Meanwhile three elephants in Chobe National Park died after eating trash from the Chobe landfill.” A senior Wildlife Biologist, Mr Keagapetse Mosugelo said the elephants died as a result of plastics they ate ...
Read More
Birds & Plastic
Black footed Albatross (Sileo et al 1990) Northern Fulmar (van Franeker. 1985. 2003. 2005) Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Day et al. 1985) A large Sugar Gum tree branch fell down in the local school over summer. I had ...
Read More
Plastics & Birds
Click here for the slide show A Dutch study in the North Sea of fulmar seabirds concluded 95 per cent of the birds had plastic in their stomachs. More than 1600 pieces were found in the stomach of one ...
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Camels & Plastic

by Posted in 2.1 reports, stats and studies Tagged 5 Comments

Every year hundreds of camels die each year from ingesting plastic bags.

“Every day we have a camel that has died in a camel camp. One in every two camels dies from plastic,” Dr. Ulrich Wernery, scientific director at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai told English-language daily Gulf News.

Rocks of calcified plastic weighing up to 60 kilograms are found in camel stomachs every day, said Wernery, whose clinic conducts hundreds of post-mortems on camels, gazelles, sheep and cows.

Wernery said the curious animals nibble on plastic bags that are thrown from car windows or dumped in the desert by campers and day-trippers.

The veteran animal doctor told Gulf News that the animals ingest plastic bags and ropes which then calcify in their stomach. The heavy rocks or balls fill up the stomach and make it impossible for the animals to eat, causing them to eventually die of starvation.

“Camel calves are the worst affected because they are so curious,” he added.

Calling for an end to the “fatal pollution,” Wernery said residents must stop polluting the desert with plastic.

“I’ve been here for twenty years and first noticed this about fifteen years ago,” said Wernery, adding that the situation is getting worse by the year.

Wernery said he was shocked after a recent visit to a desert area in the northern UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where owners had dumped the bodies of animals that had died from plastic ingestion.

“I counted more than 30 carcasses and I named the place ‘Death Valley’,” he said.

Taken fromalarabiya

Lots more on plastic in animals here

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Straws Compostable

by Posted in 3.1 Disposables & Reusables, 3.1 General & Homemade Tagged , , , , , ,

The picture shows a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose (You can watch the video in full here). Every years hundreds of thousand plastic straws end up polluting the environment. Ecocycle estimate that 500 million straws are used in the US every day alone.

If you must have disposable straws, (and none of these great reusable options suit), then why not try these compostable ones made from cornstarch. They look and act  just like  plastic straws…  but they are made from PLA cornstarch and are certified compostable.

Find out more about compostable plastic here.

You can buy them from Vegware. They do everything from black cocktail (1000 for 10.00)  to jumbo smoothie.

I have seen  paper straws on ebay but (as far as I know), they are not certified compostable and  may be plastic lined. They certainly are plastic packed.

Any one know any more?

Composting

One type of certified compostable plastic is  Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) plastic.

Some say that PLA plastics do not break down in home compost bins. THEY ARE WRONG. We have used and composted a number of  PLA plastic products.

You can see the PLA products we have used here.

More

Or you can try these  reusable stainless steel beauties or glass straws. 

Whales & Dolphins

by Posted in 2.1 reports, stats and studies Tagged

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust took various skin and blubber samples and removed the stomach for further study by the Scottish Agricultural College. On initial removal it was found that the entrance to the stomach was completely blocked with a cylinder of tightly packed shredded black plastic binliner bags and fishing twine.

It is believed that this made it difficult for the animal to forage and feed effectively. This would have a biologically significant impact on the animal’s ability to survive. Full analysis of the stomach contents is currently being undertaken. Cuviers Beaked whales usually prey on squid and catch their prey through the action of suction. It is believed that Cuviers Beaked whales mistake plastic bags in the water column for their prey species squid and ingest them.

In previous years a number of Cuviers Beaked whales stranded in Scotland have been found to have plastic bags in their stomachs. For any more details on this case please contact the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust at 28 Main Street. Tobermory. Isle of Mull. Scotland. PA75 6NU. 01688 302620. email info@hwdt.org”

More reports

*Harbour Porpoise (Walker and Coe. 1990) 

Pygmy Sperm Whale (Tarpley. 1990)

In April 2002 a dead Minke whale washed up on the Normandy coast. An investigation found its stomach contained 800g of plastic bags and packaging including two English supermarket plastic bags (GECC. 2002).

More

More reports on other animal deaths can be found here

The Range – a chain of home & garden shops

by Posted in 3.2 Shops & Businesses, 3.2.3 Supermarkets & Chains Tagged , ,

Loose pet food, home wares and some loose sweets.

Being committed to local shopping, I prefer to buy that way whenever possible. I would encourage you to do the same. One of the joys of living plastic free is mooching round the local shops seeing what you can source.
Sometimes though there is no option but to use

Supermarkets & Chainstores

And yes you can get some plastic free and zero waste stuff there but YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE YOUR OWN PACKAGING. Check out the plastic-free shopping kit here.

The Range

This is new to me. It replaces Homebase on Leeds Rd, Huddersfield HD1 6ND.

It is one of 120 U.K. stores.

It sells  paints, crockery, bedding, art supplies and some garden stuff.

AND……..

Pet food & Bird Seed

It gets my plastic free vote for it’s loose bird seed and pet food. You can see pictures here.

There is

  • bird seed,
  • rabbit,rat and chinchilla feed,
  • dog chews and sweets
  • And other stuff

all sold loose.

Of course they only supply plastic bags for your purchases but you could take your own reusable produce bags. If you have forgotten them, then they sell compostable plastic bags similar to biobags. You can compost these.

There is more animal feed in paper bags.
I don’t have pets so cannot speak from experience how good this is but well done for offering plastic free.

Other Stuff

Includes enamel cups – very pretty!

Get There

Directions to the Huddersfield Store
Phone:01484 534707

Hours:

Wednesday 9am–8pm
Thursday 9am–8pm
Friday 9am–8pm
Saturday 9am–8pm
Sunday 10:30am–4:30pm
Monday 9am–8pm
Tuesday 9am–8pm

Other Stores

Check out the Website

Shopping Tips

If you want to buy loose you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.

For the plastic free freak metal lids to glass jars are of course plastic lined .

Tin and cans including those for cosmetics are also plastic lined

For products that are packaged in plastic choose to buy simple plastics that can easily be recycled

Do remember not all stores stock all products. It might be wise to check ahead if you are making a special visit.

Don’t Like Supermarkets?

Other places to buy unpackaged food are listed here

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Elephants & Plastic

by Posted in 2.1 reports, stats and studies Tagged 3 Comments

Wild life vet Jerry Haigh writes “Meanwhile three elephants in Chobe National Park died after eating trash from the Chobe landfill.”

A senior Wildlife Biologist, Mr Keagapetse Mosugelo said the elephants died as a result of plastics they ate in the landfill.

“The situation at the landfill is not good for animals,”

he said, adding that the electric fence that has been installed is not sufficient as birds will still flying in to eat waste.

Chobe, which is a fascinating park that lies right in the north of Botswana, is one of the areas on the continent where elephants have created their own min-deserts as they are so abundant that have almost eaten themselves out of house and home.

El morgo s photo rubbish elephants illustrates the point. This is why I boycott plastic.

 

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Straws – reusable

by Posted in 3.1 Disposables & Reusables Tagged , , , , 10 Comments

I don’t use straws but if I did I would go for one of these.

Do note I have not used these myself  so I cannot say how well they perform or what the onward packaging is like. You will have to check with the suppliers. Any one who has tried them, can review them or can recommend some other great product please do  leave a comment.  Together we can make changes.

Bamboo

Super fun for a cocktail party – haven’t tried them myself yet but will do….. You can get them from boobalu  an ecofriendly online store

or these from Amazon

bamboo straw

  • 12 pack of bamboo straws.
  • The ecological choice for your health and the planet.
  • Washable. Reusable.
  • Made from 100% Real Whole Bamboo Stalks
  • Each straw is 10 inches in length
  • You can find a range of reusable straws on Amazon

 

steel strawsSteel Straws

Urban techno chic! I love the look of them, stainless steel straws for the classiest of drinkers.

USA -Can be bought with a whole load of other good stuff from Reusable Bags (USA based).

Or you can make your own

UK – You can find a range of reusable straws on Amazon

Glass Straws

The glass straw man?? Yes he makes reusable glass straws. Glass straws may sound like a bonkers idea, but read this and then decide

I haven’t used them myself but if you fancy giving them a go they are currently available in the UK from EBAY and from this UK based online shop A Fine Choice

Disposables

If you must have disposable straws buy these compostable ones. 

Campaigns

Join the straw wars here.

Buy

Being committed to local shopping, I prefer to buy that way whenever possible. I would encourage you to do the same. One of the joys of living plastic free is mooching round the local shops seeing what you can source. Coffee Evolution were doing take away ceramic cups for instance.

If you can’t buy local, please do check the links above. They look direct  to the suppliers.  Do consider buying from them and support their online businesses.

If you can’t do that then I have put together and Amazon catalogue. Yes I know…

4 Straight Metal Drinking Straw Stainless Steel Reusable Straws Stylish ref.112.z90/4 4 Metal Drinking Straw Stainless Steel Reusable Straws Stylish ref.112.z89
NRS Healthcare Clear Safesip Drinks Glass a…
£5.99		 4 Straight Metal Drinking Straw Stainless S…
£5.49		 4 Metal Drinking Straw Stainless Steel Reus…
£5.49
6 Metal Drinking Straw Stainless Steel Reusable Straws Stylish ref.112.z89/6 Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Two-in-One Drinking Straws / Stirrers- set of two Stainless Steel Zack Vitis Straw Spoon Set/4
6 Metal Drinking Straw Stainless Steel Reus…
£7.49		 Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Two-in-One Dr…
£4.75		 Stainless Steel Zack Vitis Straw Spoon Set/4
£12.00
Sustainable Bamboo Drinking Straws - 12 Pack
Sustainable Bamboo Drinking Straws – 12 Pack
£6.00
Amazon is a very dirty word at the moment and I thought long and hard before suggesting them.  Heres why I went ahead….. No we are not entirely happy with Amazons recent history. However, we have always found their service to be good and their packaging usually compostable.

If you buy a product via this link we do get an affiliation fee for this. That’s not why we do it.

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Petition…

by Posted in 3.5 Plastic Free People, Projects & Campaigns Tagged 1 Comment

I’d lke to introduce campaign of the month – lets make this one fly…

Introduce charges on plastic & polystyrene containers for the takeaway industry

“I would like to place a charge on every plastic and polystyrene container used by the food industries and takeaway industries like the plastic bag charges brought in. Hopefully this will push people to use the eco-friendly products that are on the market but that are over looked due to the prices.”

Sign here..(for U.K. Citizens only)..

At 10,000 signatures…

At 10,000 signatures, government will respond to this petition

At 100,000 signatures…

At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament

More

The problems with polystyrene – yuck you really don’t want to be eating this stuff.

Want to do more? Sign the petition to keep milk in returnable glass bottles.

Case Studies

Check out how the plastic industry watered down Oxford City attempts to ban fast food containers.

See how New York City did manage to ban them

Check out the gourmet street food U.K. chef who won’t use them.

Plasticisers

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged ,
  • are man-made organic chemicals;
  • They are added to plastic,to make it flexible, resilient and easier to handle:
  • They include endocrine disrupting and controversial phthalates:

Claims as to the number of plasticisers out there vary from  300 different types of plasticisers to approximately 50.  

Over the last 60 years more than 30,000 different substances have been evaluated for their plasticising properties. After meeting the rigorous performance, cost, availability, health and environmental requirements which are imposed by the market, users and regulators only 50 are in use.

The most common plasticisers include esters such as adipates, azelates, citrates, benzoates, orthophthalates, terephthalates, sebacates, and trimellitates.

In 1999, the global volume of plasticizers was approximate 10 billion lbs, or about $5 billion.The market has an average yearly growth rate of 2-3%.

Of the ester plasticizers, standard phthalate esters comprise over 85% or the tonnage produced every year. They command the market due to their low cost and easy availability. Other common plasticizers include specialty phthalate esters, adipates, and trimellitates (which are used for low-temperature applications).

Over 90% of the plasticizer volume produced every year goes into Poly(Vinyl Chloride), or PVC. This polymer is found in anything from food packaging to construction materials to toys to medical

Category Name Accronym Used in Classified
Acetate Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, acetate Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Adipates Di isobutyl adipate (DIBA) DIBA Not class.
Adipates Di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) DEHA Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys Not class.
Adipates Di-isodecyl adipate (DIDA) DIDA Not class.
Adipates Di-isononyl adipate (DINA) DINA Adhesives & Sealants, Food packaging – Cling Wrap Not class.
Adipates Di-tridecyl adipate (DTDA) DTDA Not class.
Azelates Di-2-ethylhexyl azelate (DOZ) DOZ Not class.
Azelates Di-isodecyl azelate (DIDA) DIDA Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants
Benzoate Di-ethylene glycol dibenzoate Flooring Not class.
Benzoate Di-propylene glycol dibenzoate Flooring No harmonised C&L
Benzoate Isodecyl Benzoate (IDB) IDB Flooring, Wall coverings, Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Inks and waxes No harmonised C&L
Benzoate Isononyl Benzoate (INB) INB Not class.
Benzoate Isononyl Benzoate (INBB) INBB Flooring, Film and sheet Not class.
Benzoate Tri-ethylene glycol dibenzoate
Citrates acetyl tributyl citrate Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications
Citrates acetyl triethyl citrate Not class.
Citrates tri-2-ethylhexyl citrate Not class.
Citrates tributyl citrate Not class.
Citrates triethyl citrate Not class.
Cyclohexanoate Di-isononyl cyclohexane dicarboxylate (DINCH) DINCH Flooring, Wall coverings, Film and sheet, Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
ESO epoxidised linseed oil (ELO) ELO Not class.
ESO epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) ESBO Automotive , Food packaging – Cling Wrap Not class.
Ester 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-(1-oxobutoxy)-trihexyl ester (BTHC) BTHC Medical Applications
Ester 2,2′-ethylenedioxydiethyl-bis-(2-ethylhexanoate) Film and sheet
Ester Alkylsulphonic acid ester with phenol (ASE) ASE Adhesives & Sealants, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys No harmonised C&L
Ester Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, octyl ester Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and 1,2-propanediol, isononyl ester Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Isosorbide Diesters Flooring, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Pentaerythritol ester of valeric acid Flooring, Automotive , Toys
Ester TXIB (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3pentanediol di-isobutyrate) TXIB Flooring, Adhesives & Sealants, Toys
Glycerol ester Fully acetylated monoglyceride Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
Orthophthalate Benzyl 3-isobutyryloxy-1-isopropyl-2,2-dimethylpropyl phthalate Coated Fabrics
Orthophthalate Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) BBP Flooring Repr. 1B Aquatic acute 1 Aquatic chronic 1
Orthophthalate Benzyl C7-9-branched and linear alkyl phthalate Flooring, Adhesives & Sealants
Orthophthalate bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) DEHP Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate (BCP) BCP Not class.
Orthophthalate Butyl decyl phthalate (BDP) BDP Not class.
Orthophthalate Di(2-Propyl Heptyl) phthalate (DPHP) DPHP Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics Not class.
Orthophthalate Di(n-octyl) phthalate (DNOP) DNOP Not class.
Orthophthalate Di-C16-18 alkyl phthalate Cables and wires
Orthophthalate Di-isotridecyl phthalate
Orthophthalate Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) DBP Flooring, Automotive , Inks and waxes Repr. 1B Acute aquatic 1

 
Orthophthalate Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP) DNHP No harm. C&L RAC opinion: Repr. 1B; H360FD
Orthophthalate Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DNPP) DNPP Repr. 1B Aquatic acute 1
Orthophthalate Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP) DPP No harmonised C&L
Orthophthalate Diallyl phthalate (DAP) DAP Acute tox. 4 Aquatic acute 1 Aquatic chronic 1
Orthophthalate Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) Flooring, Toys No harm. C&L Reg.of intention: Repr. 1B; H360FD Skin Sens. 1; H317
Orthophthalate Diethyl phthalate (DEP) DEP Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) DIBP Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Inks and waxes Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) DIDP Flooring, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisoheptyl phthalate (DIHP) DIHP Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Diisohexyl phthalate (DHP) DHP RAC opinion: Repr. 1B, H360FD
Orthophthalate Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) DINP Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) DIOP No harmonised C&L
Orthophthalate Diisotridecyl phthalate (DTDP) DTDP Cables and wires, Automotive Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisoundecyl phthalate (DIUP) DIUP Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Automotive Not class.
Orthophthalate Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) DMP Not class.
Orthophthalate Ditridecyl phthalate (DTDP) DTDP Not class.
Orthophthalate Diundecyl phthalate (DUP) DUP Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires Not class.
Orthophthalate n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate (ODP) ODP Not class.
Phosphate ester 2-ethyhexyl diphenyl phosphate Not class.
Phosphate ester TPP (Triphenyl phosphate) TPP Flooring, Wall coverings
Phosphate ester Tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate Not class.
Sebacates Di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate (DOS) DOS Not class.
Sebacates Di-isodecyl Sebacate (DIDS) DIDS Not class.
Sebacates Dibutyl sebacate (DBS) DBS
Sebacates Dimethyl sebacate (DMS) DMS Adhesives & Sealants
Terephthalate Di iso Butyl terephthalate (DBT) DBT Adhesives & Sealants Not class.
Terephthalate Di octyl terephthalate (DOTP or DEHTP) DOTP Flooring, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
Trimellitate Tris-2-ethyhexyl trimellitate Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Medical Applications Not class.

Most Common Phthalates In Use (Wikkipedia)

Name Abbreviation Structural formula Molecular weight (g/mol) CAS No.
Dimethyl phthalate DMP C6H4(COOCH3)2 194.18 131-11-3
Diethyl phthalate DEP C6H4(COOC2H5)2 222.24 84-66-2
Diallyl phthalate DAP C6H4(COOCH2CH=CH2)2 246.26 131-17-9
Di-n-propyl phthalate DPP C6H4[COO(CH2)2CH3]2 250.29 131-16-8
Di-n-butyl phthalate DBP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH3]2 278.34 84-74-2
Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH3)2]2 278.34 84-69-5
Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate BCP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOC6H11 304.38 84-64-0
Di-n-pentyl phthalate DNPP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH3]2 306.40 131-18-0
Dicyclohexyl phthalate DCP C6H4[COOC6H11]2 330.42 84-61-7
Butyl benzyl phthalate BBP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOCH2C6H5 312.36 85-68-7
Di-n-hexyl phthalate DNHP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH3]2 334.45 84-75-3
Diisohexyl phthalate DIHxP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH(CH3)2]2 334.45 146-50-9
Diisoheptyl phthalate DIHpP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH(CH3)2]2 362.50 41451-28-9
Butyl decyl phthalate BDP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 362.50 89-19-0
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP, DOP C6H4[COOCH2CH(C2H5)(CH2)3CH3]2 390.56 117-81-7
Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH3]2 390.56 117-84-0
Diisooctyl phthalate DIOP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH(CH3)2]2 390.56 27554-26-3
n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate ODP CH3(CH2)7OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 418.61 119-07-3
Diisononyl phthalate DINP C6H4[COO(CH2)6CH(CH3)2]2 418.61 28553-12-0
Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate DPHP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH2CH2CH3)(CH2)4CH3]2 446.66 53306-54-0
Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH(CH3)2]2 446.66 26761-40-0
Diundecyl phthalate DUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH3]2 474.72 3648-20-2
Diisoundecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)8CH(CH3)2]2 474.72 85507-79-5
Ditridecyl phthalate DTDP C6H4[COO(CH2)12CH3]2 530.82 119-06-2
Diisotridecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH(CH3)2]2 530.82 68515-47-9

 

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Rethinking My Goals

by Posted in 4.0 Us, the boycott & the blog

I first started the boycott in response to the increasing amount of everlasting plastic litter that was to be found polluting our environment and placing a huge strain on our waste disposal services. As a creator of plastic trash I was part of the problem. It annoyed me and I wondered was it possible to live without plastic. I don’t mean all plastic – plastic is a great product ideal for drainpipes and computers but not for making one use throwaway items. These were the focus of my boycott.

My first simple objective was if I could do without and yes in many cases it is possible to refuse plastic products and source biodegradable alternatives.

However as time has passed and I have had to refine my goals. They are now as follows

Plastic Free  Biodegradable Alternatives

My primary goal is to stop buying and using plastic products. That includes goods wrapped or packed in throwaway plastic packaging such as food stuffs, cosmetics. Disposable plastic products such as cotton buds, Things made of plastic that have a short lifespan such as pens, combs, Stuff for which there is a perfectly acceptable often superior non plastic alternative like mops and brushes and any other plastic product that ticks me off.

Ideally I source biodegradable, plastic-free alternatives. If I can’t do that I try….

Making Stuff

If there is no plastic free alternative I look into making my own plastic free products such as shampoo, window cleaner and hand cream. However there is a limit to the time I have so though I could conceivably learn how to make crisps, will ever have the time to do so so ? No so somethings I just have to give up

Giving Up

If I can’t source an alternative or make my own then my next and preferred option is to give that product up. Thing’s I have given up – include crisps, tobacco and Mars Bars. However some things like vegetable oil I can’t give up so I choose products that have ….

Much Reduced Plastic

Sometimes I have to buy a non plastic product such as wooden pegs  that come wrapped in plastic packaging. In the long-term this represents a massive reduction in plastic consumption.

Ingredients for making cosmetics fall into this category because though sadly most come wrapped in plastic they represent a massive reduction in plastic .

Best of a Bad Job

Please note the following options are the best of a bad choice  and the search still goes on for plastic free alternative.

Recyclable Plastic

Sometimes it is simply not possible to find the required product in plastic free packaging – lentils for example. I can’t live without them but I can’t buy them plastic free. In these cases I only buy them if the packaging is recyclable plastic with local facilities to do so. For more on this see Bad Plastic Worse Plastic

NB this is not an excuse to break earlier pledges if there is a plastic free alternative I do not buy polythene wrapped goods. For instance bread. I can buy or make my own plastic free bread. I can also buy bread in polythene wrappers which is recyclable but do not do so because there is a plastic free alternative. If I have messed up and didn’t manage to get my plastic free bread I do without. It teaches me to be better organized.

Much Diminished Plastic.

Many product have some element of plastic for which is not recyclable such as plastic lids, cap linings or labels. However in the log run these products represent a massive reduction in plastic waste creation. For example glass bottle of cider vinegar (useful for loads of stuff), with plastic lids.

Backsliding

Sometimes I fail. I need bread so I buy it plastic wrapped and all. When this happens I admit to it in my backsliding log and beat myself with twigs. Actually I don’t beat myself that would be too weird but I do feel sullied. However it is important to know how realistic a pledge is. I don’t want giving up plastic to be some kind of penance. Life must be as good if not better without plastic otherwise no one will listen.

Waste disposal

Waste Management

I realize that you can’t talk rubbish without thinking about your own and how it is created and dealt with. Inevitably I have got into reusables, recycling and composting.

Reusables and home recycling

 First I prefer not to create waste if I can hep it so prefered options are reusables like cotton produce bags or refill services  such as Ecover offer

Moreover what waste I do create I want to be able to dispose of /recycle myself by burning or composting then using the end products on the allotment.

Outside Recycling

If I cant recycle it myself then I choose products that can be recycled by the outside services.

Black Bin

Finally and I consider this a defeat rubbish goes into my refuse bin.

Summary

  • Refuse one use “throwaway” plastic products and source sustainable alternatives
  • Not use multi use plastic products for which there is a perfectly viable biodegradable alternative such as brooms, pens and combs.
  • If necessary  provide my own disposable packaging that is biodegradable such as biobags for meat at the butchers or burnable such as paper bags so it can be recycled as compost or ash for the allotment.
  • To promote reusable packaging as oppose to disposable packaging such as cotton produce sacks for beans
  • To promote refill services i.e. washing up liquid. Washing up liquid is best kept in a plastic bottle but that bottle can be reused hundreds of times before being recycled.
  • To make my own plastic free products where necessary.
  • Give up plastic products for which there is no alternative.
  • Where this s not possible choose products that
  • Come in recyclable plastic
  • Have a minimum plastic element.
  • To promote the recycling plastic products though this is not considered an answer to the plastic product problem.
  • Where there is a recyclable alternative to plastic i.e. glass or tin I favor the latter though the arguments are complex.
  • To reduce the amount of waste I create and to be able to dispose of much of my own waste products by burning or composting.
  • To research plastic the product
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Oil from plastic…

by Posted in 1.5 Technofix & Cleaner Plastics, 1.51 Reusing & Recycling Plastic Tagged , 7 Comments

Don’t throw those sweet wrappers away you may need them to run your car. They can be turned into oil by

  • Thermal depolymerization (TDP) or
  • Pyrolysis System.

Thermal Depolymerization 

is the thermal decomposition of organic compounds when heated to high temperatures in the presence of water. Organic compounds can mean anything from pig poop to plastic.

How it works….

Feedstock materials are first ground into small pieces and mixed with water. The mixture is then heated to 482°F (250°C) for approximately 15 minutes in a pressure vessel. The steam generated raises the pressure in the vessel to approximately 600 pounds per square inch (PSI) which, at the end of the heating process, is rapidly released. This causes the water to flash off or rapidly evaporate, thus leaving residual solids and crude hydrocarbons behind.

These constituents are separated and the hydrocarbons collected for further refinement. This involves further thermal treatment to 930°F (500°C) and fractional distillation sorting. The results are light and heavy naphthas, kerosene, and gas oil fractions which are suitable for the production of several grades of fuel oil. The residual solids remaining after the initial thermal treatment may be used as fertilizers, filters, soil fuels, and activated carbon for wastewater treatment. Wise Geek

It can be used in the recovery of PET, polyamides (except Nylon), and polyurethanes (except Styrofoam).

It mimics the natural geological processes thought to be involved in the production of fossil fuels. Under pressure and heat, the long chain polymers are broken down into short-chain petroleum hydrocarbons.

With thanks toWikipedia and Green Manufacturing 

Average TDP Feedstock Outputs[8]
Feedstock Oils Gases Solids (mostly carbon based) Water (Steam)
Plastic bottles 70% 16% 6% 8%
Medical waste 65% 10% 5% 20%
Tires 44% 10% 42% 4%
Turkey offal 39% 6% 5% 50%
Sewage sludge 26% 9% 8% 57%
Paper (cellulose) 8% 48% 24% 20%

(Note: Paper/cellulose contains at least 1% minerals, which was probably grouped under carbon solids.) Wikipedia

Pyrolysis

This company, Cynar,  use pyrolysis to turn plastic into oil. Here’s what they have to say on the subject

Suitable end of life plastics are preprocessed to size reduce and remove any contaminants or non-plastic materials from the feedstock at the first stage of the Cynar Technology. The shredded plastics and are then loaded via a hot melt in-feed system directly into main pyrolysis chambers. Agitation commences to even the temperature and homogenise the feedstocks. Pyrolysis then commences and the plastic becomes a vapour. Non-plastic materials fall to the bottom of the chamber.

The vapour from the chambers passes into the contactor which knocks back the long chained carbons and allows the required condensable vapours to pass into the distillation column. The system diverts the non-condensable synthetic gas through a scrubber and then back into the furnaces to heat the pyrolysis chambers. The condensable vapours are converted in the distillation column to produce lite oil and raw diesel. The lite oil is put into storage. The raw diesel is passed to the vacuum distillation column to be further refined to produce diesel, kerosene and lite oil; the distillates then pass into the recovery tanks.

The pyrolysis system is the prime chamber, which performs the essential functions of homogenisation and controlled decomposition in a single process. The Cynar Technology process requires minimal maintenance and produces a consistent quality distillate from end of life plastic.

Taken from the website

Wikkipedia has this to say on the subject.

Anhydrous pyrolysis can also be used to produce liquid fuel similar to diesel from plastic waste, with a higher cetane value and lower sulphur content than traditional diesel.[15] Using pyrolysis to extract fuel from end-of-life plastic is a second-best option after recycling, is environmentally preferable to landfill, and can help reduce dependency on foreign fossil fuels and geo-extraction.[16] Pilot Jeremy Roswell plans to make the first flight from Sydney to London using diesel fuel from recycled plastic waste manufactured by Cynar PLC.

Japan

Blest Technology based in Japan will sell you a machine to do it yourself at home .As the process sounds exactly like the one above  I am guessing it’s a pyrolysis based system.

Recyclable plastics are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS). They cannot recycle PET.

“Teaching this at schools is the most important work that I do,” Ito reflects. In Japan too, he visits schools where he shows children, teachers and parents how to convert the packaging and drinking straws leftover from lunch.

If we were to use only the world’s plastic waste rather than oil from oil fields, CO2 emissions could be slashed dramatically, he says.

“It’s a waste isn’t it?” Ito asks. “This plastic is every where in the world, and everyone throws it away.” quoted here

“The carbon-negative system  is a highly-efficient technology, converting 1 kilogram (about 2 lbs.) of plastic into 1 liter (about a quart) of oil using just 1 kilowatt of power (cost: about .20 cents).

Of course, the end product of this conversion system is still fuel that must be burned, and thus, it will give off CO2 as part of the combustion process.  Read more here”

Ocean Ambassadors promote its use.

It is in operation in over 80 countries worldwide, and has a processing capability of up to 20 tons a day.There are pilot projects in works from various universities as well as the UNDP.

We advocate and educate on this technology as a solution to island nations as it provides a real-time solution to effectively processing these “waste materials” locally and providing an end product that has a high demand in all locations.

As it is a low-sulfur burning content fuel and recorded as environmentally friendlier than standard diesel, we feel this technology offers us an option for the time being before we phase into plastic alternatives that are bio-based.

Homemade

Or you can build your own machine in your back yard like this guy!

 

Projects that look interesting

The Waste Combuster

Plastic is first processed in an upper tank, which converts the material into gas through a process called pyrolysis. Then, the gas moves to the lower tank, where it’s burned with oxidants. That burning generates heat and steam, which drive combustion and generate electric power. While other waste-to-fuel generators have been developed, Levendis says his machine has the added bonus of not producing harmful emissions.

The waste combustor is currently still in prototype phase, but Levendis is dreaming big: Eventually, he envisions scaling up this concept to juice a large power plant. A connected plastic recycling center could provide a constant stream of fuel.

India

Heres a plant in India thats transforming plastic into motorbike fuel  They say of the process that it “converts all sorts of waste plastic into fuel oil, petroleum gas and solid petroleum coke. It can work with all kinds of plastic waste, and doesn’t need the waste to be cleaned first. A fractional residue containing metals is the only possibly harmful by-product.”

Pretty sure that is thermal depolymerization

Talking of which .. I got this comment to one of my posts

If there is anybody who seriously wants an eco-friendly disposal system for used plastics, please contact me for this existing zero percent emission process technology that converts plastics into EN590 Diesel – ready for use in vehicles and other uses such as power generation.

Contact:  Mr. Anvi Arcilla

E-Mail: anvi@greenerpowersolutions.com

America

And the yanks are doing it too. This company in America are setting up a business that they hope will turn a profit in 15 months

More

Other ways to recycle plastic can be found here

And more ways to dispose of plastic here