It focused on the seven most used plastics, including PVC and PET, used in packaging, textiles, insulation materials and agricultural films. But it did not consider other plastics, in particular rubber, which is released into the environment from tyre abrasion, a statement released on Friday said.
Soil and water
Researchers followed the path of these plastics to the Swiss environment from production to disposal and developed a model with which these material flows could be calculated. They distinguished between microplastics (smaller than 5 millimeters) and macroplastics (larger than 5 millimeters).
They found 5,120 tons of the seven types of plastic were released into the environment a year, or 0.7% of the total amount of the seven plastics used a year.
The study showed that the amount of plastic that gets into the soil is about 40-times higher than the amount that is discharged into water.
Littering
“The main reason for this is littering – the careless throwing away of waste –, which pollutes in particular soils, but also waters, with macroplastics. The cleaning of public spaces allows the collection of a large part of this plastic. Nevertheless, part of it remains lying around,” Empa said in the statement.
“Another significant source of macroplastic in soils is the use of plastic films in agriculture. Macroplastic also reaches the soils through the composting of organic waste that contains plastic.”
Agriculture and the construction industry (such as wear and tear from foils on pipes) are the main sources of microplastics in soil. For water, it’s the washing and wearing of synthetic clothing and cosmetics. But these sources are low compared with those for modelled soil contamination, and wastewater treatments plants filter most of the microplastic out of the water, Empa added.
Recommendations
The federal agency says that plastic contamination of soils should now “be investigated more thoroughly”. In the meantime, recommendations include making consumers, as well as the waste and construction industries more aware about the impact of littering. Soil contamination in farming must also be addressed.
FOEN is currently considering further steps to reduce the environmental impact of plastics, the statement added.
More
More
Switzerland has no intention of banning single-use plastics
This content was published on
While the European Union intends to ban plastic straws, single-use cutlery, and other disposable plastics, the Swiss government has no plans to follow suit.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
This content was published on
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the PSI in northern Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is launching a campaign for greater respect and safety on public transport, with posters to go up in stations and on trains starting next week.
Swiss scientists to use AI for improved weather and climate forecasts
This content was published on
MeteoSwiss and the Swiss Data Science Center have signed a four-year agreement to make greater use of AI in meteorology and climatology going forward.
This content was published on
Prices of owner-occupied homes rose in the third quarter of 2024 by 0.5%, with inflation affecting both apartments and single-family houses, says the Federal Statistical Office.
This content was published on
The honey harvest is projected to be lower than usual this year, as Swiss beekeepers report harvesting an average of just 16kg of honey per bee colony.
More young refugees in Switzerland following vocational training
This content was published on
More than half of young refugees and temporarily admitted persons between the ages of 16 and 25 are now in training. This is significantly more than five years ago.
One in five Swiss children suffers psychological abuse at home
This content was published on
In Switzerland, one in five children suffers psychological violence, and one in three has witnessed psychological violence between parents, says the association Kinderschutz Schweiz.
Swiss government minister breaks silence over Trump remarks controversy
This content was published on
Transport Minister Albert Rösti explained himself in a television interview on Sunday evening, after being called out for expressing support for Donald Trump.
Swiss Covid expert calls for caution on vaccination recommendations
This content was published on
The head of the vaccination commission would be “even more cautious today” when it comes to Covid-19 vaccination recommendations.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Plastic bag use continues to drop
This content was published on
Consumption of single-use plastic bags in some 30 Swiss food retailers has dropped 86% since they introduced a small charge in 2016.
It’s time for a national littering fine in Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss resident Paul Douglas Lovell believes Switzerland needs to enact a nationwide fine for not properly disposing of trash.
Geneva meeting agrees landmark deal on plastic waste
This content was published on
Most of the world's countries meeting in Geneva have reached agreement on a legally binding framework to help regulate exports of plastic waste.
Are companies and consumers ready to shun plastic?
This content was published on
The massive amount of plastic pollution has ignited public concern as well as debate in Davos, but the real work is still to come.
Why beating plastic pollution must be a global priority
This content was published on
Humanity is addicted to plastic 100 years after its invention, warns Erik Solheim, executive director of United Nations Environment.
How to clear the ocean of plastic? With a giant sailing boat
This content was published on
The giant solar-powered catamaran to clean the ocean of plastic is the brainchild of French-Swiss navigator Yvan Bourgnon.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.