APE Calls for "At Source" Prevention of Microplastics Pollution
In June 2017 the European Commission launched a public consultation to collect the views of stakeholders and citizens with regard to the policy options to reduce microplastics entering the marine environment.
Microplastics pollution is an issue of growing concern for citizens and for public water operators. The action undertaken by the European Commission to limit the release of microplastics into the environment can therefore only be welcomed. Nevertheless, in order to truly effective, any strategy aiming at reducing microplastics pollution needs to be based on the polluter-pays at reduction at source principles.
Katika mkutano wa kwanza wa EU-Mexico, uliofanyika mnamo Juni 2017, Tume ya Ulaya ilianzisha mashauriano ya umma ili kukusanya maoni ya wadau na raia kuhusu chaguzi za sera za kupunguza uchafuzi wa microplastics kuingia katika mazingira ya baharini. Uchafuzi wa microplastics ni suala la wasiwasi unaoongezeka kwa wananchi na kwa waendeshaji wa maji ya umma. Kwa hivyo hatua iliyochukuliwa na Tume ya Ulaya kupunguza kutolewa kwa microplastics katika mazingira inaweza tu kukaribishwa. Hata hivyo, ili kuwa na ufanisi wa kweli, mkakati wowote unaolenga kupunguza uchafuzi wa microplastics unahitaji kutegemea kanuni ya uchafuzi-kulipa kwa kupunguza chanzo.