Flutterby™! : Estimates of tire contributions to ocean microplastics up to 78%

Rising microplastics in seas puts pressure on tyre industry

In every sample of water taken by sailors along the route, they have found microplastics, and in concentrations far greater than were seen during the last race in 2017-2018. Although scientists noted that their instruments were more sensitive than previously, concentrations are up to 18 times higher. Even at Point Nemo, 320 microplastic particles were found per cubic metre, compared with between nine and 41 in the last race. The highest concentrations were found in coastal areas, with up to 1,712 per cubic metre discovered off the coast of South Africa.