Biomedia are small plastic discs used in wastewater treatment plants to filter wastewater.
They serve as a medium for microorganisms that digest suspended solids, thereby improving the efficiency of treatment before discharge into the environment.
However, if not properly contained, these cylinders, which are only a few millimetres in size, can become problematic. Leaks can occur during heavy rainfall, causing overflows, or during maintenance operations. Once released, they join the 9 to 15 million tonnes of plastic waste that pollute the oceans every year.
Like all marine plastic waste, biomedia slowly fragments, releasing toxic substances (chemical additives, flame retardants) that are particularly harmful to aquatic ecosystems.
40
pollution incident
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countries
1600
testimonials
Surfrider Foundation Europe is one of the only NGOs working on the issue of pollution caused by biomedia.
These plastic supports used in wastewater treatment plants to promote the development of pollution-reducing bacteria are a source of aquatic pollution that is largely unknown to the general public and poorly documented by the scientific community.
Our organisation has carried out extensive fieldwork to identify this pollution and better understand it. This investigative approach has enabled us to document the presence of this specific plastic waste on our coastlines and to measure the extent of pollution that was previously invisible in official statistics.
To strengthen our understanding of this phenomenon, we have set up a system for collecting testimonials that allows us to gather accurate data on the location and quantity of biomedia found.
This information directly feeds into our advocacy for the implementation of measures to prevent biomedia pollution at source.
Thanks to significant citizen mobilisation echoing our advocacy, we have achieved a major victory: the inclusion of measures to prevent biomedia pollution in the Urban Waste Water Directive.
The inclusion of preventive measures in the European directive marks a crucial step forward, but we remain vigilant to ensure that these new obligations are properly implemented and to continue documenting this pollution in order to combat it more effectively.
To refine our expertise on the subject and make a difference, we need your testimonials. If you notice biomedia during a walk on the beach or near a watercourse, please alert the association!
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