A recent study co-authored by two members of the EEC committee, Luiz Felippe de Alencastro and
Montserrat Filella, has brought attention to plastic wads from shotgun cartridges as a persistent and
underestimated form of macroplastic pollution around Lake Geneva. These plastic components, used in
hunting and shooting sports, are frequently left behind and reach the lake’s shores.
Data from shoreline surveys conducted between 2015 and 2022 revealed that plastic wads are
widespread across the lake, with notable accumulation in the Haut lac region. Using machine learning
techniques, researchers estimated a 44% to 50% probability of encountering these wads at various
locations around the lake.
Beyond their role as plastic litter, many of the collected wads were also found to contain lead. This raises
concerns not only about their persistence as macroplastics but also their potential to act as carriers of
lead in aquatic environments. The study, submitted for publication, highlights the need for greater
awareness of plastic wads as long-lasting pollution and calls for measures to reduce their environmental
footprint.