Act now on microplastic risks, businesses urged

A new white paper released by experts at the UTS Business School highlights the risks posed to businesses if they ignore growing scientific evidence and consumer awareness around the dangers posed by microplastics.

“Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, or synthetic polymers, that exist throughout supply chains and in the wider environment. They’ve been found in even the most remote places on Earth,” said one of the white paper authors, Professor Martina Linnenluecke from the UTS Centre for Climate Risk and Resilience.

“Primary microplastics are purposely added to products such as paint, cosmetics or cleaning products such as handwash. Secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of plastics into the environment, such as a plastic bag breaking down in landfill."

The white paper, Microplastics: Preparing for Australia’s Next Regulatory Shift, highlights evidence global plastic production now exceeds 450 million tonnes per year and could almost triple to 1.2 billion tonnes under a business-as-usual scenario. 

However, the response will not only be regulatory. The paper argues microplastic pollution is also a behavioural challenge shaped by how products are designed, marketed, used, maintained and disposed of across supply chains and everyday life. 

The European Union, some US states and South-East Asian countries have already introduced targeted restrictions.

“The white paper argues that microplastics are not only a technical or regulatory problem, but also a behavioural challenge shaped by how products are designed, marketed, used, maintained and disposed of across supply chains and everyday life,” said the other white paper author, Professor Ross Gordon of Change for Good at UTS.

“Many businesses are unaware of how far microplastics have infiltrated their supply chains. Fully one-third of the 33 handwash products we analysed available in Australian supermarkets contained either probable microplastics or synthetic polymers.

“The banning of single-use plastic bags is only the opening salvo as governments respond to mounting scientific evidence and community concern.”

The white paper highlights actions that businesses can take right now to proactively manage their risks around microplastics exposure.

Increased monitoring and transparent reporting, circular business models, recycled-content products and materials innovation can build trust and generate efficiencies in the face of consumer concern.

Behaviour change strategies can support better product design, consumer use, maintenance and disposal practices.

“Businesses that communicate credibly about their microplastic footprints and align marketing practices with actual reduction commitments will be better placed to build durable brand equity,” said Professor Linnenluecke.

“Those that do not face mounting reputational and litigation risk as awareness deepens and disclosure expectations tighten.

“The question is not whether supply chains including plastics will change but how quickly, and who will lead it.”