title: Plastics in the environment - development of a classification for first estimates of the fate of waste and other plastic products in different environmental media
title: Plastics in the environment - development of a classification for first estimates of the fate of waste and other plastic products in different environmental media
titleType: AlternativeTitle
Creators: name: Zimmermann, Till
name: Spengler, Laura
name: Jepsen, Dirk
Publisher: name: Umweltbundesamt
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Littering
subject: Mikroplastikpartikel
subject: Plastics; plastic applications
subject: modelling
subject: microplastic
subject: emission of plastic to the environment
subject: Waste | Resources

description: Der Eintrag und Verbleib von Kunststoffen in die Umwelt ist seit einigen Jahren ein viel beachtetes und viel diskutiertes Thema. In diesem Vorhaben wurde eine Abschätzung des quantitativen Verbleibs von Kunststoffen in der Umwelt aus dem Bereich der achtlos weggeworfenen oder liegen gelassenen Kunststoffabfälle ("Littering") sowie der Kunststoffprodukte, die umweltoffen eingesetzt werden und aus denen Einträge in Form von Kunststoffpartikeln in die Umwelt hervorgehen können, vorgenommen. Auf dieser Basis wurden zum einen relevante Quellen für Kunststoffeinträge identifiziert und Handlungsmöglichkeiten diskutiert. Die größten Einträge ergeben sich aus dem Verkehrsbereich mit dem Reifenabrieb als größter Quelle. Daneben tragen der Baubereich und der Landwirtschafts- und Gartenbaubereich relevant zu den Gesamtmengen bei. Zum anderen ist eine kritische Betrachtung der Datenlage erfolgt und besonders zentrale Aspekte für eine Verbesserung der Datenlage wurden identifiziert. Die Berechnungsergebnisse wurden mit aktuellen einschlägigen Studien abgeglichen und eingeordnet. Quelle: Forschungsbericht
description: Plastic emissions to the environment are an increasingly discussed issue. In this project, a first estimation of plastic emissions to the environment from littered plastic items as well as plastic applications has been made. Based on this, the most relevant sources could be identified and possible mitigation actions have been discussed. Major emissions result from the transportation sector with tyre wear as key source. In addition, the construction sector as well as the agriculture and horticulture sectors contribute significantly. Besides the quantification of entries from various sources, the data situation has been critically assessed and key points for improving the data situation have been identified. Finally, results from this study have been cross-checked with findings from related recent studies. Quelle: Forschungsbericht
description: The input of plastics into the environment and the associated impact on ecosystems has received increasing public attention and has become part of the political agenda. Plastics can enter the environment in different ways. One important path of entry is littering, i.e. carelessly throwing away or leaving waste in public places. In addition, however, plastic products are often manufactured specifically for an intended use in the environment. In the course of their use, smaller plastic particles can result and directly released into the environment, for example through abrasion or ageing processes. This project developed a system for an initial estimate of the fate of waste and other plastic products in the environment. Based on this, the quantities of plastics that enter the environment via these pathways and remain there after cleaning or dismantling measures were estimated. Relevant sources of plastic discharges were identified and possible measures to reduce these entries into the environment were discussed. Furthermore, suggestions for the future improvement of the data situation were made.