MP’s Bill a bid to tackle microplastic pollutants

PROPOSALS ARE GIVEN FIRST READING IN THE COMMONS

MP Alberto Costa has introduced a Bill that would require filters to be installed on all new washing machines to capture microfilters.

The Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons and will go to its second in January.

South Leicestershire MP Mr Costa, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics, introduced the Ten-Minute Rule Bill to encourage the government to work with manufacturers to fit filters in all new domestic and commercial machines.

Over a third of the microplastics released into the environment are shed from clothing.

Research led by the University of Plymouth has found that one 6kg wash can release up to 700,000 microfibres.

These can end up in the wastewater system where they are either caught, remain in sewage sludge which can be spread on to crops, or released into river and marine environments.

Mr Costa has been working with the National Federation of Women’s Institutes whose campaign End Plastic Soup aims to raise awareness of the effects of the release of microfibres from laundry since 2017.

Mr Costa said: “I am delighted to be bringing in this Bill which aims to raise awareness of the damaging effects microplastics have on our environment.

“I am very grateful for all the support I have received for the Bill from colleagues from across the House of Commons.

“Microfibres are a huge problem that the government need to tackle. With the technology already available for this solution, I am urging the government to implement this change quickly.”

Ann Jones, chairwoman of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, said: “The WI has been campaigning against ocean pollution since 1927 and most recently through our End Plastic Soup campaign in 2017.

“As the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics, we are proud to support Alberto Costa MP’s Ten-Minute Rule Bill.”

Mr Costa said: “This is an opportunity for the UK to become world leading in tackling the effects of microplastics.

“Businesses and consumers also have a responsibility, so I look forward to continuing to raise this matter in Parliament.”