Corporate earth system accountability: Governance strategies to reduce microplastic pollution from consumer products

Microplastics released as consumers use products are a significant, yet largely unregulated, source of global pollution. Enhancing corporate earth system accountability for this contamination is essential for protecting planetary health. This Perspective develops this argument and identifies governance strategies through a case study of one consumer product: tires. By mass, the chemical-laden particles emitted as tires wear and tear on roads – which scientists typically classify as microplastics – are among the largest sources of global microplastic pollution. Regulations to govern tire abrasion are emerging in California and the European Union, and, as expert interviews reveal, discussions are occurring to develop global standards. Still, regulatory controls remain fragmented and weak, and pollution is escalating. Urging consumers to take responsibility has not helped. Governments need to set stringent international standards, ensure corporate transparency, mandate strong precautionary approaches, extend producer responsibility, and avoid voluntary corporate self-governance as a primary mechanism of accountability.