Impact: International Marine Litter Research Unit
A timeline of key dates and achievements

University researchers attend COP27 UN Climate Change Conference (2022)
Can mechanical devices be used to clear plastic pollution? (2022)
Plymouth academics participate in COP26 UN Climate Change Conference (2021)
Researchers from the University contribute to All Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics (2020-2021)
University research results in the demise of environmentally damaging flushable products (2019)
Our world-leading research into marine microplastics pollution and its impact on the environment and changing behaviour has received the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a higher education institution.
More plastic has been produced in the last seven years than in all of the last century. Through greater awareness of the problem, the wider world is waking up to this global challenge and the importance of taking action.
Participation by University academics in New Scientist Live
Professor Richard Thompson OBE delivered a keynote at the recent Micro 2018 conference in Lanzarote.
UK Government bans microbeads in cosmetics
Professor Richard Thompson was invited by the Galapagos Conservation Trust to support efforts to eliminate plastic pollution
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey pledges £200,000 of UK Government money into the tyre particle research (microfibers)
University related press release – University receives Government funding to analyse impact of tyres and textiles on the marine environment.
International Year of the Reef: Research Seminar 'Marine Litter: Are there solutions to this global environmental problem?'
Richard Thompson takes part in PolyTalk 2018
Under the banner of “Together we must save our oceans from litter”, PolyTalk 2018 was held in St-Julian’s, Malta and brought together more than 190 high-level representatives from the world of politics, industry, media, NGOs, science and academia. Plastics Europe press release.
Scientists earn awards for global impact of microplastics research
A team including Plymouth won the Societal Impact category and overall prize in the Natural Environment Research Council’s 2018 Impact Awards. Read more in our press release.
'Foresight Future of the Sea' report for UK Government
Richard Thompson receives Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation
The accolade, for Services to Marine Science, reflects his status as a world-leading authority on the problems caused by plastic pollution in the marine environment and the potential solutions.
Study discovers microplastic fibres are released into the environment when washing clothes
International Marine Litter Research Unit advises G7 on marine litter monitoring (2016)
UK introduces single use plastic bag tax (2015)
Richard Thompson invited to talk at John Kerry's 'Our Oceans: Marine Pollution' conference for the US Department of State (2014)
Richard Thompson meets US Secretary of State, John Kerry. Conference looked at state of world's oceans, 30 global scientists invited.
IMLRU delivers four star Impact Case study for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014: Discovery of microplastics as key anthropogenic contaminants in the marine environment
Richard Thompson asked by the United Nations Environment Programme to identify 'Global and Regional Solutions to the Marine Debris Problem' (2011)
EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Expert Group on Marine Debris (2010-present)
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), an advisory body of the UN, discusses microplastics following IMLRU's research (2009)
White paper produced following United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to organise the first international meeting on microplastics at the University of Washington (2008)
EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Task Group 10: Marine Debris (2007–2009)
Richard Thompson takes part in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) working group on environmental aspects of marine renewable energy (2008–2010)
Richard Thompson’s research first coined the term ‘microplastics’ (2004)