MICROPLASTICS tiny but treacherous

Caring for ecological and human health isn’t for the faint of heart. As she sips coffee from her metal cup, Dr Trisia Farrelly tells me about her international advocacy for plastics reduction. For a moment, her characteristic optimism slips away: “I wish I could go back to being naive.”

Trisia’s life nonetheless testifies to deeply rooted hope. Our conversation is full of uncomfortable truths. Still, Trisia is convinced that research and increased awareness are generating meaningful change.

AWARENESS AND ACTION

She’s in a position to know. She’s currently co chair of the Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance (nzappa.org), and co-founder and trustee of the New Zealand Product Stewardship Council (nzpsc.nz). The NZPSC has worked steadily to advise the government on regulatory priorities under the Waste Minimisation Act, and a recently closed public consultation gives reason to hope that New Zealand might soon have its first mandatory product stewardship scheme (bit. ly/2KJHl98).

Trisia’s most proud