Although governments are one of the key actors when it comes to the issue of tackling microplastics, they are not the only actors present. Many non-government organizations (NGOs) are instrumental in elevating individual voices, serving as the bridge between the government and the people. In the context of microplastic pollution, it is also these organizations that have been formed that put pressure on the governments to enact change. Today we look at an NGO that has made their mark in the fight against microplastics, as well as some of their achievements.
Plastic Soup Foundation / Beat the Microbead
The Plastic Soup Foundation was founded 2011 in Amsterdam with the intention of raising awareness on the issue of plastic pollution, educating people on the potential health impacts and creating solutions that can reduce or minimize the negative impacts of plastic pollution on the environment and on people. The group’s work is focused around several pillars, including microplastics, plastics, health as well as education. Over the course of 9 years, the movement has grown internationally, and it has seen progress in 15 countries in the form of microbead bans, and is supported by 100 NGOs from 42 different countries (Beat the Microbead, n.d.).
Beat the Microbead is a campaign run by the Plastic Soup Foundation specifically targeting the issue of microbeads being released into the atmosphere as a result of human usage of various cosmetic products. It is also sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), highlighting the UN’s support for a cause like this. The Plastic Soup Foundation and PINCH (an Amsterdam-based mobile development agency) also came together to create an app that would allow its users to scan the ingredient lists of their favourite cosmetic or personal care products, and the app alerts the user whether or not there are microbeads found in the product. In addition, the app also provides users with microbead-free alternatives certified by the Foundation itself.
The campaign and the advocacy for the cause is something that I resonate deeply with (hence my blog theme), and I believe that something as simple as an app like this could be very helpful in encouraging people to be more alert and aware of the presence of microplastics in their lives. The app itself is also easy to understand and use, making it widely accessible even to those who may not be as technologically-savvy. I encourage all of you to try it out – download it and try scanning the product lists of your toothpaste or facial wash, I think you’d be shocked at the results.
If you are interested, you can download the app here:
Bibliography:
Beat the Microbead. n.d. Impact – Beat the Microbead. Retrieved 19 October 2020, from https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/impact/.
