Invisible Waste: Unveiling Microplastic Pollution
Invisible Pollutants: Understanding and Managing Microplastics in the Waste Sector
Invisible Waste: Unveiling Microplastic Pollution
Wednesday, 9 October 11am - 12pm;
Free for WasteMINZ members and $59 plus GST for non WasteMINZ members
Presented by Anita Lewis, Consultant, Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd (NZ)
1. Introduction: The Silent Threat of Microplastics
- Setting the Scene.
- Why It Matters.
2. The Origins of Microplastic Pollution: Consumerism and Beyond
- Consumer Behaviour.
- Textiles as a Major Source.
3. Case Studies: Microplastics in Unexpected Places (might add one more case study)
- Lake Wanaka, New Zealand: Present research on microplastic contamination in Lake Wanaka, challenging assumptions about the cleanliness of our natural environments.
- Remote and Pristine Locations: Expand the discussion to include findings from remote areas such as Antarctica, underscoring the pervasive reach of microplastics.
4. The Waste Management Sector’s Role: Challenges and Responsibilities
- Visibility vs. Impact: Contrast managing visible waste with the challenges posed by managing microplastics, which are harder to detect and quantify.
- Value Chain Analysis: Explore the lifecycle of textiles, and plastics —from production to disposal—and its contribution to microplastic pollution, stressing the importance of upstream interventions.
- Sector Accountability: the potential of microplastic pollution input to the environment through upcycling and recycling of materials.
5.Microplastics: A Closer Look at Environmental Impacts
- Synthetic vs. Natural Fibers.
6. Wastewater Treatment and Microplastics: The Overlooked Connection
- Interconnected Systems: Highlight the intersection of wastewater treatment and solid waste management in the context of microplastic pollution.
- Effectiveness of Current Systems: Analyse current limitations of wastewater treatment processes in removing microplastics and associated implications.
7.Strategic Interventions: Practical Solutions for the Waste Management Sector
- Prevention at the Source.
- Innovative Technologies.
- Policy and Collaboration.
8.Conclusion: Paving the Way for a Microplastic-Conscious Future
- Key Takeaways.
- Looking Ahead.
9. Q&A Session
Speakers
Anita Lewis - Consultant at Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd (NZ)
Anita was awarded a full Research Masters Scholarship from TECT and completed her degree with first class honours from the University of Waikato in 2021. She is a passionate environmental scientist particularly in relation to the issues of plastic pollution, environmental effects, and mitigation. She has played a pivotal role in ground-breaking microplastic research in New Zealand, consequently creating industry and local authority awareness to the issue. Anita has over 5 years’ technical experience in various industries including the waste management sector in New Zealand.
She brings a high level of analytical and critical thinking to projects she is involved in. She undertook a comprehensive project for New Zealand’s largest wool scouring organisation, enabling them to gain an understanding of their microplastic footprint, and recommended technical solutions to the organisation which they employed as mitigation.
She also has experience in waste minimisation, particularly in the illegal dumping space, kerbside recycling collection, SWAP audits and surveys.
