The document outlines various solutions to prevent plastic pollution, particularly in oceans, highlighting major contributors such as fishing equipment, shopping bags, and hygiene products. It proposes alternatives like biodegradable materials, reusable products, and recycling systems to mitigate plastic waste. Emphasis is placed on the importance of changing consumer behavior and supporting products that are environmentally friendly.

1. 10 Examples
of
Plastic Soup
Prevention
What can we do now
to prevent the generation
of Plastic Soup?
by Siem Haffmans

2. 10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
FISHING EQUIPMENT
Each year approximately 640,000 tonnes of fishing equipment are
being discarded, making up about one tenth of overall ocean pollution.
PRIORITY SOURCES FOR PREVENTION
The following sources of plastics have been selected, because they are most often present
in the oceans and seas:
SHOPPING BAGS
1 trillion plastic bags are used and discarded every year…!
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Natural and biodegradable ropes and nets:
• made from natural materials
• marine-degradable biopolymers (PLA or PHA)
Eagle Claw - Bioline
• 100% biodegradable fishing line (material?).
• Bioline degradation occurs in the outdoor environment
regardless of whether it’s above or below the water.
fishing equipment
shopping bags
disposables
bottles & caps
hygiene products
textiles
logistic packaging
consumer packaging
cosmetics
balloons
… and so many other things
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Reusable shopper
• preferable made of post-consumer recycled materials
or biodegradable, natural materials
Biodegradable bags
• made from bio-based materials
• marine-degradable
• recyclable
Recycled bags
• made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
• recycling system must be closed
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3. 10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
DISPOSABLES
Global demand for foodservice disposables is forecast to increase 4.8 percent
annually through 2013. The U.S. will remain the largest market, while more rapid
growth is expected in China and other developing regions.
BOTTLES AND CAPS
In the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, on a tiny island 1,000 miles from
the nearest big city, many Laysan albatross chicks die each year because
their bellies are full of bottle caps, toothbrushes and other plastic waste.*
*) “Montery Bay Aquarium, Laysan (www.monterybataquarium.org)
HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Each baby will use about 6000 diapers before being potty trained. Because
people are living longer, the use of adult incontinence diapers is also on the rise
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Deposit event cups
• reuseable (25-100 times)
• recyclable
• unbreakable
Biodegradable trays and cups
• palmleave plates (Hampy)
• PLA cups
Recycling
• Cup2paper (SITA)
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Reusable bottles
• refill (Dopper)
Bio-degradable bottles
• 100% bio-degradable and recyclable (Prima)
• should be marine degradable
Recycled bottles
• 100% recycled PET (Innocent)
• recycling system must be closed
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Reuseable products
• UK-based company Knowaste claims that they are the “world’s first provider of a
recycling solution for nappies, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products”.
Biodegradable products
• bio-based materials
• should be marine degradable
• packaging must be recyclable
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4. 10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
TEXTILES
An important source of microplastic appears to be sewage contaminated by fibres from
the washing of clothes. Experiments with sampling of wastewater from domestic wash-
ing machines demonstrated that a single garment can produce >1900 fibres per wash.*
*) “Accumulations of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks”, Mark Anthony Browne, e.o.,
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on September 14, 2011
TRANSPORT PACKAGING
CONSUMER PACKAGING
The market for rigid plastic packaging for food and drink in Europe is expected
to achieve above average growth in volume terms between 2010 and 2015.
(Source: Pira International)
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Biodegradable fibres: cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc.
Tencel® (cellulose fibres),
Primarily made from Eucalyptus wood. Eucalyptus is
an evergreen plant which grows to a height of up to 40 meters.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Reusable Packaging
• leading companies in a wide variety of industries across
the globe, prefer reusable packaging for the economic,
social and environmental value that re-use provides.
Recyclable
• plastic pallets and crates can be made of recycled plastics
and can be recycled after being used for tens of years
Biodegradable
• BIO8 > 100% Bio-based ingredients (starch foam) and 100% Compostable
• should be marine degradable
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
No packaging
• take care of product damage or foodwaste
Reusable packaging
• reusable packaging
Recycling
• use 100% recycled materials
• recycling system must be closed
Biodegradable packaging
• 100% Bio-degradable (Paperfoam)
• should be marine-degradable
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POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
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5. 10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans
COSMETICS
According to a recent study, microplastics have now replaced natural exfoliating
materials (such as pumice, oatmeal, apricot and walnut husks) in many facial cleans-
ers. The majority of facial cleansers available today list polyethylene as an ingredient,
sometimes describing it as “micro-beads” or “micro-exfoliates”
Slate Explainer article on biodegradation: “Will My Plastic Bag Still Be Here in 2507?” 27 June 2007
Accessed September 2010: http://www.slate.com/id/2169287/nav/navoa/
BALLOONS
What goes up must come down! Balloons return to the land and sea where they can be
mistaken for prey and eaten by animals. Sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fish, and seabirds
have been reported with balloons in their stomachs. It is believed that they
mistake balloons for jellyfish which are their natural prey.
OTHER THINGS
Many other things end up in the seas and oceans
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Biodegradable ingredients
• Aveda: essential oils and herbal ingredients (certified organic)
• no micro-beads or plastics
Packaging
• reusable or minimized packaging
• 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials
• marine degradable
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Don’t release balloons
• plant a tree, blow bubbles, …
Biodegradable materials
• balloons should be marine-degradable
Packaging
• reusable or minimized packaging
• 100% recyclable and recycled material
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Refuse and reduce
• think before you buy!
Re-use and recycle
• use 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials
Biodegradable materials
• use bio-based materials
• materials should be marine-degradable
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6. Partners for Innovation | Siem Haffmans - Copyright © 2011
Thanks to:
PLASTIC SOUP FOUNDATION - WORKING GROUP STRATEGY AND INNOVATION:
Hans van Weenen, Wouter Lubberts, Ruud Halbertsma, Jeroen Dagevos
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Harmen Spek - Lartido.com
10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans