Microplastic is plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters (5 mm) in size. It originates either from products containing purposely manufactured microplastic, such as some facial scrubs and toothpastes, or from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces. Microplastics are found throughout the World's oceans where they can potentially harm marine life. In addition, microplastic may serve as carrier of other pollutants and thereby contribute to increased adverse effects on marine life.
SINTEF is working to increase knowledge about and prevent the spreading and environmental consequences of microplastic in the World's oceans.
The amount of plastic litter, especially microplastics, in the ocean are quickly accumulating. The PLASTOX-project aims to investigate the environmental impacts resulting from microplastics.
PlastiCircle aims to develop and implement a holistic process to increase recycling rates of packaging waste in Europe. This will allow to reprocess plastic waste in the same value chain. This process is based on collection, transport, sorting, and...
To understand the environmental behaviour and impacts of microplastic fibres (MPFs) in order to develop a decision support framework that enables garment manufacturers to make environmentally informed choices in their material selection.