Science In and with Society: reducing emissions of TExtile Microplastics in the NetherLands (SISTEM-NL)
About
Microfibers released from textiles are a major source of microplastics, impacting ecosystem health. Current models estimating emission of microfibers to the environment are characterised by very high uncertainties in the parameterization of release dynamics. Also, these models do not properly incorporate human factors that affect the washing behaviours driving microplastics release. Understanding the multiple, often interconnected drivers of this pollution, and ultimately identifying effective strategies for reducing microplastic emissions, requires the combination of technological, environmental and social science disciplines and data collection outside of the laboratory. Therefore, in this project, the disciplines of environmental chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, psychology, communication science, and Citizen Science intersect to create the main research question: What drives the emissions of anthropogenic microfibers into the natural environment and how can citizens be engaged in reducing these emissions?
Aim
The research goal of SISTEM-NL is to develop building blocks for a bottom-up transition towards a more sustainable and fair society. In this project the University of Amsterdam serves as a hub for collaboration between academia, citizens, and societal- and industrial partners who all share the goal of reducing the environmental impacts of textiles and plastics.
How to participate
Express interest in participating through our website: Thuis wassen | METAcitizenscience
Impact and insights
Combining psychological surveys with microplastic data collection, pre-and post data collection on psychometric parameters. Results are published here: https://doi.org/10.1039/d5va00037h Faculty processes are not tailored to cross-faculty citizen science research This project is one of the first to develop an extended Citizen Science approach that plays a pivotal role in both scaling the production of scientific knowledge and addressing the human component of microplastic pollution from home laundry. As a societal contribution, we aim to grow a network of short and long-term citizen scientists engaged in data collection, and a consortium of societal partners. By involving a more diverse group of citizen scientists we hope to reduce the distance between research and the public. Secondly we will develop sustainable washing guidelines based on insights from the analysis of microplastic emission drivers and share our findings with relevant research communities, industry partners and the broader public.Organisations
- Coordinator: University of Amsterdam
Project data
No published data has been added to this project yet.