Minimizing the environmental impact of (micro)plastics by integrated modelling of supply and source-to-impact chains

The rapid increase in plastic production and consumption has led to growing environmental concerns as an accumulating amount of plastics ends up in our environment. Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are especially a cause of concern. Microplastics are already found all over the globe, yet their full impact on ecosystems and human health remains largely unknown. Microplastics from tires, generated through tire wear and infill losses from artificial turf pitches, are a major source of microplastic pollution. This raises the question how to effectively mitigate the environmental release of tire microplastics.

Mitigation is multifaceted, involving a wide range of potential strategies, such as types of instruments, levels of governance, and supply chain entry points, as well as a subjective decision-making process that includes trade-offs, conflicting values, and uncertainties. To support well-informed decision-making on mitigation, it is important to understand the sources, pathways, and effects, as well as stakeholder perspectives, costs, and societal acceptance. This requires a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to assess how tire and road wear particles can be mitigated and what is needed for successful implementation.

The first step is a systematic analysis of the tire lifecycle, mapping microplastic emissions at each stage and identifying key stakeholders, their interests, and interconnections. A material system analysis will be conducted for the Netherlands to quantify emissions and assess stakeholder roles. Engagement with stakeholders is crucial to integrate their expertise and foster collaboration.

Further analysis includes developing a System Dynamics model to evaluate interventions from a systems-thinking perspective. This model will provide insights into potential emission reductions, upstream implications, trade-offs, and synergies between different measures. Additional research will explore what structural changes are needed to facilitate implementation.