Reed Urges National Strategy & Local and Global Action to Curb the Flow of Toxic Microplastic Pollution

WATCH: video from this event available here

PROVIDENCE, RI – Microplastics are everywhere these days: Oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams across the planet are increasingly burdened with plastic pollution.  To protect people and wildlife and prevent our waterways from drowning in toxic microplastic pollution, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is calling for coordinated action at the local, federal, and global level to tackle plastic waste and pollution.

Today, standing along the shores of Narragansett Bay, Senator Reed joined with officials from Save The Bay, the University of Rhode Island, and Roger Williams University (RWU) to discuss the threat of microplastics and outline steps households, communities, and elected officials can take to better protect people from the threat of microplastic pollution and preserve access to clean, safe water.  Reed joined experts in urging stepped-up research, regulation, and coordinated action around microplastics.

When plastic refuse degrades and breaks down it becomes microplastics -- tiny particles of plastic waste less than 5 millimeters in diameter -- that are an ubiquitous pollutant found in waterways, oceans, mountains, household dust, food, and water.  These particles pose a significant risk to water quality, human and animal health, and climate and ecosystem stability.  

According to the Ocean Conservancy: “Ingestion of microplastics by animals has been associated with negative health outcomes, including reduced food consumption, impaired growth and behavior, decreased reproductive output, reduced energy for growth, altered gene expression and damage to cells and DNA.”

Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, secured $1.69 million in federal funding to help RWU researchers study human-derived pollutants in the air, soil, and water and $1 million to help URI track the flow of plastic particles through the environment and develop new solutions to stop plastic waste and pollution.

According to URI researchers, the top two inches of Narragansett Bay’s floor contains more than 1,000 tons of microplastics and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years.  And on a global scale, the World Bank estimates that every person on the planet generates an average of 1.6 pounds of plastic waste daily.

“Microplastics are a macro, large-scale, global problem.  We need comprehensive, coordinated action to help protect people, communities, public health, and environmental health.  I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for spurring other nations to do their part and join the U.S. in tackling plastic pollution.  America is working with our partners at the United Nations on a major, evidence-based treaty to rein in contamination from microplastics. And last month, the Biden-Harris Administration released the first comprehensive, government-wide strategy to target plastic pollution at production, processing, use, and disposal.  A key part of that plan calls for developing standard methods for collecting, quantifying and characterizing microplastics.  This will ensure regulators have good data they can use to set limits on microplastics in our food and water,” said Senator Reed.  “In addition to structural solutions, we can all do our part to help reduce single-use plastics.  I encourage Rhode Islanders to reduce plastic usage and stem the tide of pollution.  This isn’t merely a feel-good initiative, it’s imperative to protecting the Oceans State’s economic and environmental health.”

“Microplastics pollution is worsening in Narragansett Bay,” said Topher Hamblett, executive director for Save The Bay. “Our coastal cleanup volunteers are finding more and more plastic pollution along Rhode Island's shores. It is harmful to marine life and people. That is why Save The Bay appreciates Senator Reed securing much-needed funds that will boost Rhode Island's efforts to monitor and, ultimately, tackle this problem.”

“In response to the rising threat of microplastics to global ecosystems and human health, Roger Williams University is driving research to identify and assess the plastic pollution present in Rhode Island’s coastal and marine environments,” said Lillian Jeznach, Associate Professor of Engineering at Roger Williams University. “The extent of microplastic pollution in the state is largely unquantified and this research will enable a deeper understanding of the issue and pollution sources, which is necessary to develop technical, social, and policy solutions that create stronger and healthier coastal communities and waterways for the Ocean State and serve as a model for innovation and change nationally and globally. Thanks to the funding secured by Senator Reed to equip a new Environmental Engineering and Science Laboratory, RWU researchers like me will continue to lead research that benefits Rhode Island’s environment and people.”

“The URI Plastics Initiative was established to create a dynamic research network that convenes, communicates, collaborates, and accelerates ideas and strategies to inform society, guide public policy, and reduce land-to-sea plastic pollution. With the support of Senator Reed, URI secured a $1 million federal earmark to advance this initiative,” said URI Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Jaime M. Ross, PhD.  “As part of these efforts, URI hosted a two-day Global Plastics Forum, bringing together over 80 local and international experts focused on addressing the global impact of plastics. Over $300K in seed funding has been awarded to URI faculty to research plastic pollution and its consequences and enhanced infrastructure. This funding has supported more than 15 graduate and undergraduate students, with findings shared in the classroom and across various media platforms. Additionally, the URI Plastics Initiative recently received a $470K award from the National Science Foundation and $300K in private donations. These funds will support the training of the next generation of researchers across multiple disciplines, equipping them to tackle the challenges of plastic pollution.”

To turn the tide on microplastics, the Biden Administration is negotiating a binding international treaty on plastic pollution with over 100 other nations.  Reed is also urging the federal government to take steps to:

• Reduce and minimize use of the most harmful plastics;
• Standardize federal methods for testing, collecting, quantifying, and characterizing microplastics;
• Increase transparency of chemicals in plastics throughout the process of production, use, and disposal;
• Ensure producers invest in the development of safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials, as well as solutions that reduce plastic production.

Reed and the researchers also say there are commonsense steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to microplastics, such as:

• Switch from single-use bottled water to refillable tap (or use steel or glass water bottles);
• Handwash plastic food containers (don’t place in dishwasher where heat accelerates degradation);
• Use wood cutting boards instead of plastic; and
• Take your shoes off before you go in the house, to avoid tracking in plastics-laden dust throughout your home.