[Consumer Climate Action Column] Urgent Need to Enact Law Mandating Washing Machine Microplastic Reduction Devices

Bae Soheum, Co-Representative of the Consumer Climate Action Association

On December 10, 2020, the Government of the Republic of Korea declared the ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Vision.’

‘Carbon neutrality’ refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use and other sources, and offsetting or removing the inevitably emitted greenhouse gases through forests, wetlands, and other means so that the net emissions become ‘0.’

Accordingly, changes are occurring in various fields, with a representative example being the transition to a ‘plastic-free’ society.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters is running a series of ‘Consumer Climate Action Columns’ to empathize with and participate in the plastic-free movement.

Microplastics, their threat is absolutely not micro.

According to microplastic pollution concentration surveys, the coastal areas of the Korean Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by beautiful seas, ranked 2nd and 3rd in the world.

To shed this disgrace, measures are needed to reduce microfibers?which account for the largest proportion (35%) of the 1 million tons of microplastics entering the ocean annually.

The Consumer Climate Action Association conducted a consumer awareness survey from October 25 to 31 targeting citizens to raise social awareness of the microplastic issue and propose policies to solve it.

A total of 2,361 people participated, and among the 2,274 valid respondents across various age groups, there was recognition of the seriousness of the microplastic problem, with 96% of citizens responding that microplastics have serious impacts on the environment, ecosystems, and even human health.

More than 95% of the respondents agreed on the need for regulations or systems to solve the microplastic problem.

The top policy to be prioritized was ‘Mandatory installation of microplastic reduction devices on washing machines (44%).’

Citizens participating in the survey recognized that microfibers discharged through laundry water account for the largest share of secondary microplastics entering the ocean, and they also knew that microfibers from synthetic fibers entering the sea seriously affect marine life.

France in Europe introduced regulations to address the microplastic problem and became the first country in the world to mandate the installation of microplastic synthetic fiber filters on all washing machines sold from January 2025.

The United Kingdom has enacted legislation requiring fiber filters on washing machines. Recently, related microplastic reduction ordinances have been proposed in Jeonnam and Gyeonggi provinces in Korea, raising national interest in microplastic regulation.

On November 23, the Consumer Climate Action Association held the ‘2021 Microplastic Reduction Policy Proposal Forum,’ bringing together consumers, research institutions, lawmakers, and the media to understand the current status of the microplastic problem and discuss practical solutions for reduction.

At the forum, Park Jung-kyu, Senior Researcher at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), explained that primary microplastics, which are intentionally manufactured for specific uses, are regulated worldwide and thus somewhat controllable.

However, regulations on secondary microplastics, which are unintentionally created by the breaking, abrasion, and decomposition of existing plastics, are still insufficient, requiring goal management at the policy strategy level in areas such as waste and marine litter, plastic recycling, and usage restrictions.

Choi Sung-kyun, Senior Researcher at DGIST, who presented on the effects of microplastics on the human body, stated that secondary microplastics formed by photodegradation of plastics exposed to ultraviolet light have completely different components and cause toxicity when entering the body. In particular, microplastics accumulating in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in rat experiments are of greatest concern.

Oh Gwi-bok, Executive Director of the iCOOP Federation of Consumer Cooperatives, presented the production process of microplastic-zero salt and the case of launching bottled water in paper cartons to reduce total plastic volume. He expressed hope that iCOOP Nature Dream’s efforts to reduce plastic could serve as a catalyst for societal change, and that changes in consumer behavior patterns would lead to social transformation.

In 2021, Consumer Climate Action conducted various campaigns and focused actions nationwide to reduce plastic use.

Consumers are making strenuous efforts to reduce microplastics through active practical actions in response to the climate crisis. Now, companies must actively pursue technological innovation and facility investment to reduce microplastics from washing machines, and the government should no longer hesitate but enact laws mandating microplastic reduction devices on washing machines and establish policies and regulations to support technology.