Microplastics are tiny plastic flecks that are less than 5 mm broad, or around the size of a fresh pencil eraser. Microplastics are present in all of the things we use and wear. While some microplastics are so minute they cannot be seen, others are so tiny they cannot be inhaled.
There are numerous origins for these tiny particles. Plastic microbeads used in some cosmetics as an exfoliant are an example of primary microplastics. Larger bits of plastic waste, such water bottles and pill bottles, that eventually degrade into secondary microplastics.
Although there are currently a lot of microplastics in the environment, more are being produced every day. Given the enormous growth in the manufacturing and usage of plastic since its introduction in the middle of the 20th century, this may not come as a surprise.
- In 1950, the annual production of plastic was 1.5 million tons.
- The annual production of plastic is 300+ million tons currently.
The key sources of primary microplastics detected in the world's oceans were examined in an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) study that revealed the rise in plastic manufacture.
- 35% synthetic textiles
- 28% tires
- 24% city dust
- 7% road markings
- 4% protective marine coatings
- 2% personal care products
- 0.3% plastic pellets
Additionally, microplastics are present all over the house. Residents of 32 residences in Sydney, Australia were requested to collect dust particles in a specific glass dish for a World Economic Forum study. 39% of the dust particles were microplastics, according to the study's analysis.
How to Limit the Use of Microplastics in Daily Life
Yes, there are microplastics all over, but you may take steps to limit how much you and your family are exposed to them. Even more action may be taken to lessen the spread of microplastics throughout the world. Here are nine pointers that demonstrate how.
1. Purchase organic apparel (or those made from organic materials)
Microplastics are heavily influenced by synthetic garments, such as polyester. When possible, go for sustainable, eco-friendly clothing made of natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and other organic materials.
All materials will eventually develop some microfibers, although those made of natural materials like cotton have a tendency to remain larger than those made of synthetic materials. This is due to the fact that cotton strands typically tangle, resulting in larger lint particles that are difficult to release into the air.
2. Alter your laundry routine
When clothes are washed and dried, they experience additional wear and tear. Washers and dryers produce microfibers from a variety of materials, but the microplastics made from polyester and other synthetic materials are the most worrisome.
With a single household dryer emitting up to 120 million microfibers into the air each year, dryers produce around 40 times as much microfibers than washing machines.
Your washer and dryer can discharge less microplastics if you do the following things:
- Ensuring you have microplastic-capturing filters of the highest caliber
- Let your clothes air dry
- Less water is used with each load.
- Avoiding the delicate wash cycle since it consumes more water than the regular cycle
- Less frequently washing your clothes
- Purchase fewer new items of clothing because they shed more microfibers than garments that have already been cleaned and worn
3. Steer clear of single-use plastics
Over time, eplastic materials degrade and release secondary microplastics into the environment. The retail sector uses a ton of plastic, particularly when it comes to plastic bags. Stay away from single-use plastics by:
- When shopping, use fabric bags or backpacks.
- Requesting paper bags rather than disposable ones.
- Shopping at supermarket stores that produce no trash and other environmentally friendly merchants.
- Substituting reusable metal, glass, or bamboo straws for disposable plastic ones.
- Reducing the usage of single-use plastic water bottles and replacing them with reusable ones.
4. Buy cosmetics free of plastic
A wide range of cosmetic and household goods may include microbeads. Look for wording on labels that suggest the use of microbeads as you carefully read them.
- Avoid products with the following ingredients:
- Polyethylene, sometimes known as PE
- Polypropylene, often known as PP
- PET or PETE stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a kind of polyester
- PMMA, also known as Polymethyl Methacrylate, Nylon
- Choose eco-friendly cosmetics and household goods that use substitute ingredients, which are frequently marketed as "natural alternatives" to microbeads
5. Decrease your seafood intake
Shellfish that feed at the bottom of the food chain consume microplastics that enter the water. The microplastics are subsequently consumed by you once you eat the shellfish. Your body's absorption of microplastics can be decreased by limiting or avoiding your ingestion of shellfish.
Typical shellfish consumed include:
- Mollusks
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Crab
- Scallops
- Clams
- Oysters
- Mussels
6. Make use of alternate or public transportation
With 28% of the microplastics identified in the water coming from car tires, they are a significant source of the material. Driving causes the tires to degrade, releasing the minute particles into the atmosphere. There are many less microplastic-emitting tires on the road the fewer cars there are.
By eliminating one vehicle from the road, utilizing the bus, train, or another form of public transportation can help prevent this kind of tire erosion and plastic pollution (your own). You can choose to use a scooter, bicycle, or other form of personal transportation when it's practical.
7. Avoid microwaving food in plastic
Microwaves and plastic don't mix. When heated, plastic containers release plastics. This is true even for plastic containers that are marked as "microwave safe," since this only implies that they won't melt in the microwave, not that they won't leach chemicals into your food.
8. Dust and vacuum often
Microplastics make up a significant 39% of dust particles found in and around the home. By keeping your house as fresh and spotless as you can, you can lower that amount. To do this:
- At least once a week, vacuum and dust.
- Using air purifiers or filters that are designed to particularly catch microplastics.
- Choosing hard flooring over carpet since the latter emits more microplastics into the air.
9. Encourage environmental sustainability measures
It's great to take individual action to lower microplastics. However, you don't have to end there. You can back initiatives being made by groups, politicians, and policies.
- Vote for candidates who will put the health of their constituents first and tackle the plastic and microplastic pollution crisis head-on.
- Support initiatives aimed at reducing the global use of plastics and microplastics.
- Participate in the fight against microplastics in the environment by volunteering or making a donation to nonprofits and organizations.
There are a ton of groups that fight against plastics, just do a search. The following three are very potent:
Plastic Soup Foundation
The Plastic Soup Foundation does more than only remove plastic from the oceans of the world. It seeks to prevent the contamination from ever entering the water supply. They offer a variety of materials on their website to assist you in making wise product decisions, in addition to choices for contributions.
Plastic Ocean Foundation
The Plastic Ocean Foundation was established by the same persons who made the acclaimed documentary "A Plastic Ocean." Its ambitious goal is to drastically alter global perceptions of plastic within a single generation. According to the foundation's website, it is a global initiative that funds regional initiatives and partners who work to bring about change on a global scale.
The Story of Stuff
Award-winning documentary "The Story of Stuff" was released in 2007. Additionally, it serves as the foundation for the broader Story of Stuff Project, which has more than a million supporters worldwide. One of their key efforts is the fight against plastic, and on their website you may discover other campaigns, study materials, and movies.
As a First Step to Lowering Your Total Pollution, Avoid Using Microplastics
Part of the pollution puzzle
Although microplastics are widespread, so too are the campaigns, organizations, and activities to combat them. It is wise to take action to limit the amount of microplastics in your environment and house as it is a crucial element of the environmental puzzle.
Using cleaner energy and emitting less CO2
But there are countless additional pieces of the environment health puzzle that exist, and they all connect to the overarching objective of building a better world in the future. By trying to reduce all types of pollution, including plastic pollution and, more importantly, greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuels, that world may be created. One effective strategy to combat global warming is to make the earth healthier overall. You may make a difference in addition to avoiding plastics by emphasizing sustainability and utilizing renewable energy sources, which do not emit carbon emissions that hurt the environment.
It can be easier and less expensive than you think to switch to cleaner energy—even easier than once a week vacuuming or dusting! Perch, please. We can assist you in changing the electricity source for your home to a greener one, such as solar or wind energy, to reduce your carbon footprint and perhaps even your monthly bill. We also assist locals and small companies with signing up for community solar farms, which contribute to the addition of clean energy to the overall grid in exchange for reductions in utility costs. It doesn't have to be expensive or difficult to go green.
