[영국] 2017년까지 플라스틱 마이크로비드 금지

화장품 회사는 초당적 환경감사위원회(Environmental Audit Committee)가 요구했던 것처럼 그것들이 야기하는 해양 오염 탓에 스크럽제, 치약, 면도 젤과 같은 욕실 제품 속에 든 플라스틱 마이크로비드(microbeads) 사용을 금지해야 한다.

86톤 정도로 많은 마이크로플라스틱이 얼굴 각질제거제 단독으로부터 영국에서 매년 환경으로 배출된다고 추정된다.

마이크로플라스틱 오염은 플라스틱 폐기물의 큰 조각들, 옷에서 오는 작은 인조 섬유질, 화장품에서 사용되는 마이크로비드, 다른 제품들 등의 분쇄에서 비롯된다.

많은 대형 화장품 회사들은 2020년까지 마이크로비드를 단계적으로 중단하는 자발적인 약속을 만들었다.

가령 유니레버(Unilever)는 대신 "적절한 대안"을 사용하여 2015년 1월까지 자사의 퍼스널케어 제품에서 플라스틱 스크럽 비드를 단계적으로 중단시키겠다고 밝혔다.

[원문보기]

BAN PLASTIC MICROBEADS BY 2017, SAYS UK PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

Cosmetic companies should be banned from using plastic microbeads in bathroom products - like exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste and shaving gel - because of the marine pollution they are causing, the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee has demanded.

It is estimated that as much as 86 tonnes of microplastics are released into the environment every year in the UK from facial exfoliants alone.

Microplastic pollution comes from the fragmentation of larger pieces of plastic waste, small synthetic fibres from clothing and the microbeads used in cosmetics and other products.

Many large cosmetics companies have made voluntary commitments to phase out microbeads by 2020.

For example, Unilever said it phased out plastic scrub beads from its personal care products by January 2015, instead using “suitable alternatives”.

Meanwhile, earlier this year research found that in the US microplastics were escaping wastewater treatment plant filters and ending up in rivers (read story).

However, the Committee found that a legislative ban would have advantages for consumers and the industry in terms of consistency, universality and confidence.

The Committee would like to see a national ban on microbeads by the end of 2017. A new report said that the industry is failing to label products containing microbeads clearly.

If the Government fails to introduce a ban, the Committee is calling on it to introduce a clear labelling scheme for microbeads during the transitional period of a voluntary phase out to provide transparency for customers.

Relatively little research has been done so far either on potential impacts to marine life, human health or the marine economy, the Committee said.

It is estimated that 15-51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean. Microplastics have been reported at the sea surface and on shorelines worldwide. They are also present in remote locations including deep sea sediments and in arctic sea ice.

Environmental Audit Committee Chair Mary Creagh MP, said: "Trillions of tiny pieces of plastic are accumulating in the world's oceans, lakes and estuaries, harming marine life and entering the food chain.

The microbeads in scrubs, shower gels and toothpastes are an avoidable part of this plastic pollution problem. A single shower can result in 100,000 plastic particles entering the ocean. Cosmetic companies' voluntary approach to phasing out plastic microbeads simply won't wash. We need a full legal ban, preferably at an international level as pollution does not respect borders.

“If this isn't possible after our vote to leave the EU, then the Government should introduce a national ban. The best way to reduce this pollution is to prevent plastic being flushed into the sea in the first place.”

[출처 = Water World/ 2016년 8월 25일]