7 Critical Moves Industry Must Make to Tackle the Microplastics Crisis

Microplastics are everywhere. They've been found in the deepest ocean trenches and on remote mountaintops, in drinking water and soil, and in human lungs, placentas, and blood. These tiny plastic particles are nearly universal — but our understanding of their impacts is still catching up.

That gap between presence and understanding poses a major challenge for scientists, regulators, and industry leaders alike. How do we act decisively when so many questions remain? What does meaningful progress look like in the face of scientific uncertainty, regulatory fragmentation, and a deluge of new research?

To help answer those questions, Change Chemistry convened a multi-part webinar series featuring leaders and experts across the value chain. These sessions offered a deep dive into the current state of microplastics science — and more importantly, a look at the practical steps industry can take right now.

The takeaways below are distilled from those conversations. They aren’t exhaustive, but together they form a clear roadmap for tackling this pressing and complex pollution challenge.

1. Align on Standardized Testing and Definitions

Managing microplastics starts with measuring them — but standardized definitions, test materials, and methods remain elusive, making it hard to compare results or assess risk across studies.

“There are substantial data gaps,” said Andrew Yeh, Ph.D., Senior Toxicologist at Gradient. “We lack a standard definition, adequate reference materials, and consistent sampling procedures.”

Kim Reynolds Reid, Principal Scientist at Gradient, noted that while water testing has advanced, “we really don’t have standardized methods for air, soil, sediment, or biosolids.” She called this inconsistency “one of the biggest hurdles in microplastics research.”

Dr. Robert Ellis-Hutchings, Senior Toxicology Scientist at Dow, added that polystyrene microspheres — widely used for testing — are convenient but unrepresentative. “Plastics vary in composition, shape, and additives,” he said, and environmental exposure alters them further. For instance, particles could become charged, and this may cause them to be absorbed more readily, skewing toxicity results. Developing more realistic test materials, he noted, is still a major challenge.

2. Improve Transparency Around Additives and Chemicals in Plastics

“Plastic is a complex mixture of chemicals,” said Yeh. “There can be hundreds of processing aids, plasticizers, and stabilizers.” That complexity makes it hard to assess environmental and health risks — especially with major data gaps.

Yeh cited efforts by UNEP and the Research Council of Norway to flag hazardous additives, including potential endocrine disruptors. “To date, endocrine disruption hasn’t been definitively linked to these groups,” he noted, underscoring the need for more data.

To address that need, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) launched the Plastics Additives Database, which maps out which additives are used and what’s known about their safety. “We wanted to present science and data in a way people can understand,” said Mike DeLee, Global Business Product Stewardship Director at Dow.

The database builds on the UNEP list and adds commercial and regulatory context. “We asked: What do we use, how do we show it clearly — and most importantly, is it safe?” said DeLee.

ICCA also developed a risk assessment framework that accounts for exposure, migration, and environmental fate. Future updates will include high-level chemical safety screenings by application type.

Improved visibility into additives is essential for safer design, regulatory compliance, and circularity. Without it, both policymakers and manufacturers are operating in the dark.

3. Design Fabrics and Products to Shed Less

In textiles, microplastics often take the form of microfibers — tiny strands shed from synthetic fabrics during production, use, and washing. While much public focus is on laundering, shedding often starts earlier in the product lifecycle.

“What can a brand do to design materials that are less likely to release microfibers — and when they do, ensure those fibers are less harmful?” asked Scott Echols, Chief Impact Officer at ZDHC.

To answer that, ZDHC partnered with The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) to turn data into action. They developed a standardized test method and analyzed over 1,300 fabrics to understand how construction, finishing, and chemistry affect shedding. Design elements — like yarn twist and fabric finish — have a direct impact on shedding. These aren’t just performance choices; they’re environmental ones.

And shedding doesn’t just happen in the wash. Dyeing, finishing, and cutting can release fibers during manufacturing, making it critical to address the issue upstream.

“This issue is becoming increasingly important to ZDHC and our stakeholders,” said Echols. The goal is to move from reactive fixes to proactive design — using low-shedding materials and scalable, standardized solutions from the start.

4. Rethink Material and Product Design

Most plastics don’t disappear — they fragment. Even “bioplastics” are often petroleum-based or only degrade in specific industrial conditions. That’s why experts are urging a shift toward materials designed to break down naturally.

“Less than 0.2% of all plastics today are biodegradable. That’s the thing that has to change,” said Dr. Stephen Mayfield, CEO of Algenesis, which creates polyurethanes from algae and plant oils that degrade outside industrial composters.

“We originally thought: let’s make materials from plants,” Mayfield said. “But starting with plant-based sources doesn’t guarantee biodegradability. What matters is whether enzymes can break the molecular bonds.” End-of-life design marks a major departure from conventional plastics development. “Society isn’t good at waste management,” Mayfield said. “So let’s build materials with their end in mind.”

Biodegradable materials aren’t a silver bullet — recycling and proper disposal still matter — but they can reduce microplastic buildup, especially in high-shedding products like foams and apparel.

5. Embrace Radical Collaboration Across the Value Chain

Microplastics aren’t a single-product issue — and no one sector can solve them alone. From polymer design to disposal, the challenge spans the full life cycle and demands collaboration that’s still rare in the chemical industry.

“We need regulators, researchers, conveners like Change Chemistry, industry, NGOs, and consumers — we all have a role to play,” said DeLee. “We need to sit on the same side of the table.”

DeLee called for shared goals and a commitment to science over self-interest. “How do we elevate the science, collaborate on good data, and drive real solutions?”

That mindset shapes ICCA’s Microplastics Advanced Research and Innovation Initiative (MARII), which fosters cross-sector data sharing and alignment. “The goal is to pool resources to address key challenges effectively,” said Ellis-Hutchings. “Ultimately, we’re working toward risk assessment conclusions.”

He added that real-world solutions require diverse voices. “It’s not about slowing things down — it’s about solving problems together.”

6. Ensure Scientific Evidence Reaches Policy Tables

As microplastic legislation advances in Europe, translating science into policy is critical. That’s the focus of The Microfibre Consortium’s (TMC) partnership with Ohana Public Affairs.

“TMC brings together manufacturers and researchers,” said Analoli del Cueto, Junior Consultant at Ohana. “The missing link was making sure their findings could inform policy and shape effective legislation.”

To help bridge that gap, Ohana worked with TMC to launch the TMC Policy Committee — a group of textile manufacturers working to monitor EU legislation, align positions, and translate science into policy recommendations.

One major focus is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which sets mandatory environmental requirements for product design. Textiles are a priority, and future rules may include limits on microfiber shedding throughout a product’s life cycle.

Del Cueto noted that while microplastics dominate political attention, microfiber pollution is broader. “All fibers shed — and that must be reflected in legislation,” she said.

Scientific translation is key. “Sometimes I hear technical people from TMC and think, ‘Okay, I have no idea what they’re saying,’” she added. “That’s where Ohana and TMC come together.”

Engaging in policy ensures regulations are grounded in science — not blanket rules that are costly or hard to implement.

7. Push Forward Despite Data Gaps

The science of microplastics is still catching up to the scale of the problem. While studies have found microplastics in human blood, lungs, and placentas, the mechanisms of harm — especially for human health — remain unclear.

That uncertainty might tempt industry to wait for clearer evidence or global regulations. But these experts urged the opposite: use the tools we already have to take action now.

“Instead of waiting for more data to confirm what we already suspect — that this is a problem — how do we start solving it now with the tools we already have?” asked Echols.

A precautionary, solutions-first mindset doesn’t ignore science — it acts on what’s already known. Total suspended solids in wastewater, for example, are a clear proxy for fiber release. Choosing lower-shedding materials and minimizing additives are already best practices. Designing products with shedding in mind is common sense.

Perfect data isn’t a prerequisite for meaningful progress. While deeper research continues, there’s ample room — and responsibility — for manufacturers, brands, and suppliers to lead with precaution and stay ahead of evolving regulation.

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