Microplastic pollution originating from Textiles and Paints: Environmental impacts and solutions

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1 Microplastic pollution originating from Textiles and Paints: Environmental impacts and solutions Marijana Toben BUND-Meeresschutzbüro Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.v. (BUND)

2 Types of fibers Natural (wool, cotton, hemp, jute) Man-made (transformed natural poymers/ synthetic polymers) The most important are: Acrylic Polyamide Polyester Polyolefins Elastane UHMwPE

3 Fibers in the environment World consumption: Ktons/year of plastic Release during the laundry process has been reported as source for microplastic. Global release: 34.8% will be released due to laundry One of the most common forms of microplastic in the marine environment. Due to abrasion and shedding of textiles, fibers will be discharged to the effluent and then reach via wastewater the WWTPs. Dominate in abundance among fragments and spheres in the marine environment.

4 Fibers in the environment Synthetic fibers were found in sediments, water column and biota. 63% of the water samples collected from coastal and open waters of the Baltic Sea contained colored fibers in concentrations from 0.07 to 2.6 items per liter.. Coastal waters showed to be more contaminated than open-sea waters. This indicates that synthetic fibers are predominately a land based source. Concentration showed to be positively correlating with population density.

5 WWTPs Synthetic fibers can not be removed completly and can potentially end up in the ocean. Synthetic fibers will be less retained from WWTPs then natural fibers. High variances in fiber concentration between WWTPs depending on efficiency. Polyester fibers were the most abundant. BUND

6 Shedability of textiles Fiber shedding is depending on fiber slippage, coating point rapture or fiber breakage. Extent for fiber shedding depends on different variables (e.g. fabric type, texture, number of fiber types involved) A study tested three different fabrics: polyester, polyester-cotton blend and acrylic: Polyester: 1 st wash (2.79 mg) to 5 th wash (1.63 mg). Acrylic: 1 st wash (2.63 mg) to 4 th (0.99 mg). Polyester cotton blend: 1 st (0.45 mg) to 4 th (0.30 mg). higher fiber release was found when fabric conditioner was used.

Solutions 1. Permant washing machine filters Since on-board filters for washing machines are not yet implemented, a temporary solution can be selfinstalling washing machine filter e.g. Filtrol 160.

7 Solutions 1. Permant washing machine filters Since on-board filters for washing machines are not yet implemented, a temporary solution can be selfinstalling washing machine filter e.g. Filtrol 160. As long term solution should be aimed for on-board filters for washing machines provided by the industry. 2. Industrial prewash The first wash schowed to relase the highest amount of small sized fibers. During the yarn spinning process, short fibers will be embedded in the textile and washed out later. Mandantory prewash from the indutry with high effiency filters could prevent that large amount of fibers will reach the household effluent.

Solutions 3. WWTPs How much microplastic will be found depends on the efficiency of the WWTPs. Tertiary filtration step with a pile cloth media filtration.

8 Solutions 3. WWTPs How much microplastic will be found depends on the efficiency of the WWTPs. Tertiary filtration step with a pile cloth media filtration. Particles with the size 500 µm were reduced to 100%, particles 500 µm to 92.8% and fibers to 98.2% The implementation could retain synthetic fibers very efficiently. 4. Laundry process and washing maschine model Mechanical and chemical actions during washing weaken fiber structure with a progressive damage. The higher the temperature, the higher is also the destruction of the material. Higher fiber release for the top-load than front-load machines. Clothes should be washed less often and with gentle washing conditions and a front load is recommended.

Solutions 5. Guppy friend The bag holds back synthetic fibers from clothing during washing and prevents microfibers from entering into rivers and oceans.

9 Solutions 5. Guppy friend The bag holds back synthetic fibers from clothing during washing and prevents microfibers from entering into rivers and oceans. Its soft surface results in less fiber loss and thus extends clothing lifetime. It should be used especially for recently bought synthetic clothing. 6. Second-hand clothing, consume reduction and clothing design Change consumption behavior Fewer clothing and if so, of better quality/ give defect clothing to the tailor. Second-hand shops and exchange platforms. Combination of polyester-cotton released 80 % less fibers than acrylic and polyester.

10 Recommendations Industry Green chemistry/green economy initiatives making fibers free of petrochemical or synthetic ingredients. International regulations on WWTPs for an additional filtration step. Prewash of recently produced clothing by the industry with high efficiency filters. Implementation of on-board filters for washing machines Society Wash less often, with lower temperatures and mild washing conditions. Use a front load washing machine. Use the guppy friend especially for synthetic and recently bought clothing. Self-installing washing machine filters. Give defect clothing to the tailor instead of throwing away and buying new ones. Avoid clothing that contain 100% polyester or acrylic fibers; instead buy a combination of polyester-cotton fabric. Reduce consumption.

11 Paints/Coatings Coatings and paints are used in a wide range of applications Surface coating: a material that is applied as a thin continuous layer to a surface. Paint: pigmented materials. Emulsions or dispersion polymers describe a process or end product of polymerizing addition monomers in water in the presence of surfactant. The paint consists of a binder, pigments, filler and other additives - which make the paint when cured like a plastic material. Binders determine the application method, drying and hardening behavior, adhesion to the substrate, mechanical components, chemical resistance and resistance to weathering.

12 Paint particles Paints are dispersions of sub-micrometer polymer particles and their release into the environment can be harmful for marine organisms. The uptake of microplastic of various shapes has been documented for many marine organisms. Release pathways into the environment are abrasion/weathering or the loss of particles during application before the paint is cured. Weathering and abrasion will make the paint brittle over time - the paint surface roughens and paint particles (very thin microlayers) peel off - and will be released into the environment.

Road markings World consumption: 588 Ktons/year Global release: 7% Different paints will be applied e.g. Acrylic Polymer and Styrene/Acrylic Polymer.

13 Road markings World consumption: 588 Ktons/year Global release: 7% Different paints will be applied e.g. Acrylic Polymer and Styrene/Acrylic Polymer. Used for travel lanes, loading zones, and parking spaces etc. The degradation and removal of road markings depends on several different factors. Pathways to the sea are either road runoff or the transportation by wind. For wind, 100 % of the losses will also become releases.

14 World consumption: 452 Ktons/year Global release: 3.7%. 100% of the losses will also become releases. Commercial boats: 3 9% and for leisure boats:10 50%. The proportion of plastic in those paints accounts for 50%. A typical marine paint contains above 50% solids. Marine coatings enter the marine environment straight by the sea pathway or from land by paint spill or removal.

Paints for buildings Corrosion/ decomposition/ decorative appearance Weathering leads to a peel off of small paints particles (especially UVirradiation).

15 Paints for buildings Corrosion/ decomposition/ decorative appearance Weathering leads to a peel off of small paints particles (especially UVirradiation). Paint may be sanded or scratched off by maintenance (re-painting). Flakes generated by sanding are typically of size below 10 µm. Possible pathways to the sea are sewer and air.

16 Types of paints and coatings Synthetic polymers in paints exhibit a range of molecular masses. Increasing molecular mass is accompanied by improved mechanical properties, a decrease in solubility, and an increase in the viscosity of their solutions. Whereof, a higher molecular mass comes also along with a decreasing environmental compatibility. Organic binding agents are polymer emulsions which make the paint stick to the surface. It adheres by the physical process of adhesive bonding. Molecular masses between 500 and High mass e.g. polyacrylate, vinyl chloride copolymers Low mass e.g. alkyd resins, epoxy resins

17 Types Chlorinate rubber coatings Vinyl coatings Thermoplastic Fluoropolymers Polystyrene and Styrene Copolymers Acrylic coatings Epoxy Polyurethane coatings Silicon coatings Alkyd coatings Appliance/Function Underwater coatings Polishing agents, weatherresistant coatings Binder for indoor and outdoor paints, textured finishes Exterior paints, concrete, road-marking Ceilings, walls, building fronts Surface coatings Surface coatings Surface coatings Corrosion protection, decoration

18 Alternatives Most environmental friendly paints put their focus on low-voc, low-odour and non-toxic ingredients but not on substituting synthetic polymers. Biodegradable polymers are not a long-term solution since the degradation is only ensured under laboratory conditions. Factors to induce degradation are temperatures, light, oxygen and microorganisms which are not always present in sufficient amount. Natural paints are made with raw materials such as clay, chalk, marble, and earth and mineral pigments free of petrochemical or synthetic ingredients.

19 Alternatives Inorganic binding agents are on mineral basis e.g. potassium silicate. It reacts chemically with the substrate by the process of silification. Extremely weather-resistant and forms a solid base. Pure silicate paints are used in renovation of historical buildings. High resistent and UV-stable due to the permantely integrated pigments. The paint vibrancy is maintaned for longer, surface does not become chalky and becomes less dirty. Ecofriendly marine coatings does not really exist. Novel antifouling coatings are derived from marine bacteria and biodegrable polymers but this can only be a temporary solution. Ecofriendly road-marking does also not really exist. Change from solventborne to water-borne polymer dispersions.

20 Recommendations Green chemistry/green economy initiatives The application of environmental friendly paints should be mandatory for all sectors. New buildings should be painted with pure silicate paints and no more with polymer dispersions. Waste water treatment systems need to be mandatory for all shipyards. The contaminated water must be treated before being discharged. Washing water effluents from sandblasting or high pressure wash are not allowed to be directed directly to the nearby sea. Non do-it-yourself maintenance of houses and ships at private property or onshore. Here, particle loose will become 100% releases. Proper particle disposal must be ensured.

21 Thank you for your attention! BUND Meeresschutzbüro Nadja Ziebarth, Tel Marijana Toben, Tel marijana.toben@bund.net BUND Landesverband Bremen e.v. Am Dobben Bremen

Thai Kiwa Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Thai Kiwa Chemicals Co., Ltd. Internationally Recognized Zero VOC VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ISO 9001 : 2015 QUALITY MANAGEMENT FROM UKAS Q-LAB INTERNATIONAL STANDARD TESTING For Exterior and Interior