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Written question asked by Stuart Anderson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 January 2025. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Monday, 17 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Microplastics: Washing Machines

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) mitigate the impact of and (b) reduce the quantity of microplastics released into the environment by domestic washing machines.

Answer

The Government is concerned about the risks microplastics in our water environment may pose to public health and to the environment. Regulations for products and appliances are covered by the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010 and are routinely reviewed by the Government, and previous collaborative work with the water industry found that microplastics from clothing and textiles make up a small proportion (around 1%) of the total microplastics found within wastewater treatment works. There is no work planned to amend the relevant regulation for this product at the present time. Defra is continuing to work with water companies to investigate microplastics detected during wastewater treatment and their potential to enter the receiving aquatic environment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
25742
Session
2024-26
Related items
Subjects
Washing machines Microplastics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk