Helena Joyce
Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5mm wide, which are ingested by marine life and humans, contributing to 31% of all health incidences in marine life. They are found in cosmetics, car tires, clothing, and food packaging, and are ubiquitous in marine environments, from the Arctic to the ocean floor. To solve the problem of microplastic pollution, society must reduce plastic use, corporations must use less plastic in their packaging, and governments must strengthen garbage collection and recycling systems. Scientists are also working on ways to break plastic down into its most basic units to create new materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce single-use plastic items | Water bottles, plastic shopping bags, straws, utensils |
| Strengthen garbage collection and recycling systems | Improve recycling rates, prevent waste from entering the environment |
| Develop new ways to break down plastic | Break down plastic into basic units to rebuild into new materials |
| Use biodegradable plastics | Composting, agricultural films |
| Improve recyclability of e-waste | Waste-to-energy disposal |
| Reduce plastic production | Focus on sustainability and renewable energy |
| Use public transportation | Reduce car tire erosion and plastic pollution |
| Education and awareness | Increase literacy about plastic pollution and its impacts |
| Support organizations | Vote for politicians addressing plastic pollution, volunteer or contribute to organizations fighting plastic pollution |
| Avoid microplastics in cosmetics | Choose natural alternatives, avoid products with microbeads |
| Choose natural textiles | Opt for cotton and wool instead of synthetic fibers |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce single-use plastics
Reducing single-use plastics is crucial to tackling microplastic pollution. Single-use plastics, such as water bottles, plastic bags, straws, and utensils, are a significant contributor to the microplastic crisis. Here are some ways to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics:
Avoid bottled water: Choosing to avoid bottled water whenever possible is an effective way to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Instead, opt for a reusable water bottle that can be refilled. This simple change can eliminate hundreds of plastic bottles from the environment each year.
Bring your own bag: Instead of using plastic shopping bags, invest in some reusable bags that you can take with you when shopping. Reusable totes are more environmentally friendly and can be used for various purposes, from grocery shopping to carrying personal items.
Cook and store food: Cooking meals at home reduces the use of plastic takeout containers and bags. Store leftovers in reusable containers in the freezer to cut down on plastic waste. When ordering takeout or dining out, decline plastic cutlery and bags. Some restaurants even allow customers to bring their own containers for leftovers.
Choose wisely in the bathroom: Reduce plastic waste in the bathroom by opting for bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, plastic-free floss, plastic-free deodorant, and shampoo bars. These simple swaps can significantly reduce an individual's plastic footprint.
Buy clothing made from natural materials: Synthetic fibres, such as nylon, acrylic, polyester, and fleece, shed microplastics during washing, which eventually make their way into the environment. By choosing clothing made from natural materials like cotton and wool, we can reduce the release of microplastics into the ecosystem.
While individual actions are important, it is also crucial to address the systemic issues surrounding plastic pollution. Corporations and governments must take responsibility for reducing plastic packaging, improving recycling systems, and developing sustainable alternatives.
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Improve waste management
Improving waste management is crucial to tackling the microplastic pollution crisis. While individual actions are important, systemic changes are also necessary to address the root causes of this issue.
One key aspect is reducing the use of single-use plastics, such as water bottles, plastic bags, straws, and utensils. These items are often unnecessary and contribute significantly to plastic waste. Governments and businesses can play a role in this by encouraging the use of reusable alternatives and providing accessible options for consumers.
Additionally, it is essential to strengthen garbage collection and recycling systems. This includes improving recycling rates and ensuring that waste is properly managed to prevent it from leaking into the environment and ending up in landfills or oceans. Developing technologies for removing microplastics from water bodies, such as filters for storm and wastewater drains, is also a crucial aspect of improved waste management.
Furthermore, the use of biodegradable and bio-based plastics can be beneficial. While biodegradable plastics may require specific collection and composting technologies, bio-based plastics are a more sustainable option as they are made from renewable feedstocks that can replenish themselves quickly and decompose naturally.
Addressing the issue of microfibers from clothing is another important aspect of waste management. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester, shed microplastics during laundry, which eventually reach the environment. Encouraging the use of natural materials, such as cotton and wool, and developing technologies like laundry balls that trap synthetic microfibers, can help mitigate this issue.
Finally, education and awareness about microplastic pollution are powerful tools. Informed citizens can make more sustainable choices, participate in clean-up efforts, and support organizations dedicated to combating microplastic pollution.
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Develop biodegradable plastics
Developing biodegradable plastics is a crucial strategy in the fight against microplastic pollution. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have infiltrated various ecosystems, including marine and freshwater environments, posing significant ecological and human health risks. Biodegradable plastics offer a promising solution by naturally breaking down into less harmful substances.
The development of biodegradable plastics involves creating materials that can be broken down by biological processes, such as microbial or enzymatic degradation. For instance, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi can secrete enzymes that degrade plastics into smaller molecules, reducing their environmental persistence. This process can also be enhanced through pretreatment methods, such as recycling and biological processing, to improve biodegradation efficiency and reduce toxic plastic pollution.
One notable example of biodegradable plastics is the development of biodegradable polyurethane. Polyurethane is commonly used in various products, from foam cushions to synthetic fibres, but its non-biodegradable nature contributes to environmental concerns. However, a U.S. Department of Energy-funded startup, Algenesis Corporation, has formulated high-quality biodegradable polyurethane for products like waterproof fabrics and cell phone cases. By sourcing oil from algae instead of petroleum, their products naturally biodegrade, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.
While biodegradable plastics are a step in the right direction, it is important to acknowledge potential challenges. Biodegradable plastics may still end up in natural environments, and their impact on ecosystems can be complex. For instance, while they may have lower aquatic ecotoxicity, they can contribute to higher greenhouse gas emissions during biodegradation. Therefore, comprehensive life cycle impact assessments are necessary to understand the full scope of their environmental implications.
Furthermore, the transition to biodegradable plastics requires a multifaceted approach. It involves not only scientific advancements in developing these materials but also ensuring their compatibility with existing manufacturing equipment. Additionally, addressing microplastic pollution requires a combination of short, medium, and long-term strategies. In the short term, reducing unnecessary single-use plastic items is crucial, while medium-term strategies should focus on improving waste management and recycling systems. Long-term goals include devising methods to break down plastics into basic units for repurposing.
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Avoid microplastics in cosmetics
Microplastics are any type of solid-state synthetic microparticle measuring 5mm or less in size. They are commonly found in cosmetic products such as shampoo, facial scrub, toothpaste, and makeup. These small synthetic polymers are used in cosmetics to add sparkle, texture, or as an exfoliator, stabilizer, or emulsifier.
To avoid microplastics in cosmetics, it is important to be aware of the different names and forms of microplastics. Microplastics, or microbeads, have many names that differ according to their purpose and manufacturing materials. This makes them difficult to identify when listed alongside other ingredients with scientific names. For example, microbeads are a kind of microplastic with a specific function for scrubbing or exfoliating, and microfibers are another type of microplastic found in textiles.
To identify whether a cosmetic product contains microplastics, you can search for natural and biodegradable alternatives that do not contain microplastic ingredients. You can also refer to cosmetic databases or apps, such as PlasticFreeFuture, that provide information on cosmetic products that are free of plastic ingredients. Additionally, you can support and donate to organizations like Beat the Microbead, which campaigns against the use of microplastics in everyday products.
While there is currently no broad-brush ban on microplastics in cosmetics, the EU and U.S. governments are taking steps toward passing legislation to control the production and use of microplastics in cosmetics. In the meantime, consumers can make informed choices by knowing which ingredients to look for and choosing products that are environmentally friendly.
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Choose natural fibres
Choosing natural fibres is an important step in tackling the microplastic pollution problem. Synthetic fibres, such as nylon, acrylic, polyester and fleece, are a significant source of microplastics, with an estimated 9% of ocean microplastics originating from these materials. These fibres are shed from our clothes, entering the environment through our laundry machines and wastewater plants.
To reduce this form of pollution, individuals can opt for clothing and textiles made from natural materials, such as cotton, wool, alpaca, and hemp. These natural fibres do not release microplastics into the environment and require less washing. Consumers have a powerful role in this movement, as choosing natural fibres and avoiding synthetic ones encourages companies to produce more sustainable products.
However, it is important to note that not all natural fibres are biodegradable. For example, bio-based polyester is chemically equivalent to fossil-based polyester and does not biodegrade, contributing to the build-up of microfibres in the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to seek untreated fibres and natural dyes when possible.
Additionally, the production processes of synthetic fibres can contribute to microfibre pollution, especially if industrial wastewater treatment is inadequate. Alternative production methods can reduce microfibre release during use, and consumers can play a role by reducing their overall textile consumption and waste.
By prioritising natural fibres, individuals can help reduce microplastic pollution and protect the environment, but it is also important to be mindful of the potential impact of natural fibres in the water and to advocate for systemic change to address the full scale of the issue.
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Frequently asked questions
You can reduce your contribution to microplastic pollution by reducing your plastic use, especially single-use plastics like water bottles, shopping bags, straws, and utensils. You can also avoid cosmetics containing microplastics, such as those with plastic microbeads for exfoliation, and choose clothing made from natural materials instead of synthetic fibers.
Governments can play a crucial role in tackling microplastic pollution by strengthening garbage collection and recycling systems. They can also implement policies to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use plastics and promote the development and use of biodegradable or bio-based plastics.
Microplastics have a wide range of detrimental impacts on the environment. They collect in sediment along ocean floors, enter the food chain, and release toxic chemicals. This can create imbalances in ecosystems and food webs, destroy habitats, facilitate the spread of invasive species, and harm flora and fauna.
In the long term, scientists are working on developing ways to break plastic down into its basic units to be rebuilt into new materials. Additionally, the use of biodegradable or bio-based plastics can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Education is a powerful tool in the fight against microplastic pollution. Raising awareness about the issues of plastic pollution and providing information on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics can empower individuals to make more sustainable choices and contribute to a cleaner environment.
