An incredible amount has been achieved in those fourteen years. I will mention a few of these successes.
We positioned ourselves as the global frontrunner on the plastic dossier as early as 2012, and we still are. It all started with the Beat the Microbead campaign and our successful app for scanning cosmetics and personal care products for microplastics. Over 500,000 people have downloaded this app over the years and tens of thousands of them scan their products before purchase every month. In 2023, the campaign even led to a European ban on microplastics in cosmetics, personal care products, paint and cleaning products.
Let's give ourselves a round of applause, but most of all let's give a round of applause to all of you, our loyal fans and followers.
Because without you, we never could have done it. Are we getting sick from breathing in the tiny fibres that come loose from cheap, ultra-fast fashion garments? In 2022, we published a report entitled 'Do clothes make us sick? Fashion, fibers and human health', which highlights scientific research into the effects of microplastic fibres on human health. This attracted a lot of attention.
The fashion industry has been warned: it really must come up with solutions now.
Our Plastic Health Summits in 2019 and 2021 also provided the very first platform for scientists from all over the world who are seeking answers to the question: do micro- and nanoplastics and the chemicals they contain make us ill? Their groundbreaking research reached hundreds of millions of people worldwide and contributes significantly to the growing realisation that the plastic tap must be turned off.
When I look back on these fourteen years, I feel incredibly proud, but above all grateful. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who contributed ideas, fought, struggled and toiled. We have pulled this off together from day one.
I wish the new director, Robbert Meulenveld, who will be assisted by Jeroen Dagevos, every success. And I will help and support them where I can.
This is not goodbye. It is a new beginning.
Love,
Maria Westerbos
Founder-Chief Changemaker
