SMMI hosts Microplastics Workshops

Plastics were one of the great discoveries of the 20th century and have revolutionised many human activities. In the 21st century we are finding that there are mounting environmental problems associated with them. Plastic waste is persistent and durable in the environment and we are facing an emerging environmental crisis associated with marine litter and plastic waste across the world.

In September the SMMI Marine Plastics group held two workshops tackling some of the issues around plastic pollution. The first, led by Dr Malcolm Hudson focussed on water industry priorities and was attended by Rebecca Kennedy, Research and Development Planner and Sam Underwood, Stakeholder Engagement Manager representing Southern Water, along with academics and researchers from both the University of Southampton and the University of Portsmouth.  

The second workshop examined research priorities on plastic pollution in Asia and Europe and welcomed a delegation from Yokohama City University, international and external stakeholders and academics from the Universities of Southampton, Portsmouth and Southampton Solent.  Amongst those presenting were Dr Steve Fletcher, Chief Strategy Officer of UNEP, Paul Linwood, Waste Water Policy Manager of Southern Water, Chiarina Darrah of Eunomia and Dr Simon Bray of AQASS. The workshop was funded by an SMMI HEIF award and a grant from the Sasakawa Foundation. 

For more information on the Marine Plastics Group see here.