Plastics are ubiquitous. Being cheap and versatile, it is pervasively used in packaging applications to medical tools and devices and commonly found in our homes, appliances, cars, aircrafts, satellites including 3D printed plastic satellites
However useful Plastics may be, there is a huge design flaw; the virtually indestructible, non-biodegradable material lingers in the environment for years, polluting all the while.
The recycling rate of plastics on average is at 9%. Since recycling degrades plastics, they are not as readily recycled like glass or metals which could be recycled infinitely without losing structural integrity. Compounding this problem, virgin plastics are cheaper and are of better quality and collecting, sorting and melting plastics are all expensive.
Single-use plastics make up more than 40% (most of which isn't recyclable) of plastics produced annually and certainly exacerbates the problem of plastic pollution as most single use plastics typically have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours then put in landfills or oceans, breaking down into micro and nano particles, polluting the land, water and even air.
Primary Microplastics can be released in environment directly as small particulates from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, tires and some cosmetics.
Secondary Microplastics originate from the degradation of large plastics into small plastic particles when exposed to weathering elements such as water and sunlight
Plastics can apparently move around the globe by wind and rain; microplastics are literally raining on our lands, including agricultural soil and oceans.
Rather unnerving to think how plastics have permeated our bodies and lives; every nook and cranny on the earth has been tainted by microplastics
Microplastics:
Found in the deepest ocean trenches as well as remotest, highest, "pristine" mountain ranges
Found in fruits and vegetables
Can accumulate in tissues and intestinal tract and cause injury / death to other life
Moves up the food chain, potentially poisoning larger animals which consume plastic inundated prey.
As each of us eat, drink & breathe microplastics, it is unlikely to be benign. Effects of microplastics in humans is still being researched.
Microplastics do carry carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals; by the time science catches up and concludes that this is problematic, it may be too late
Consuming products that come in plastic such as bottled water, the amount of microplastics ingested along with leached chemicals increases multifold
Once plastics breakdown into micro or nano particles, clean ups can be difficult or even impossible. Though, there have been some recent inventions such as microplastic filters, found in the link below that can be attached to boats to remove some microplastics from water bodies
Considering recycling may never keep up with plastic production, that seemingly promising Bacteria and Mushroom engineered to breakdown plastic to harmless byproducts and more recently "Chemical" Recycling of plastics are all small steps to tackle plastic waste.
So even limiting single-use plastic may not be good enough. As one of long-term strategies to mitigate the consequences of plastic pollution, it is time to phase it out
Minimize your contribution to Microplastic Pollution
Eliminate plastic from your daily life, avoid as many plastic products as possible especially single-use plastics, glitter, etc ; shop local, if possible at zero waste grocery stores rather than through online sites like Amazon that use a lot of plastic
Install and use filters or microfiber capturing devices. Synthetic fabrics release microfibres which are actually microplastics during every wash and dry cycle. There are now microfibre capturing filters, bags such as Guppy Friend and devices such as Coraball that catch and trap microplastics. Air dry / line dry clothes whenever possible
Buy clothes made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, hemp and linen rather those made from polyester, nylon
Use public transportation. Car tires are a major source of microplastic. Friction from the road causes tires to break down and shed particles; tire wear particles (TWP) and brake wear particles (BWP), a complex mixture of metal & plastic, even road marking paint can all breakdown to microplastics & end up in oceans
Buy microbeads-free cosmetics and personal care products; steer clear of products containing polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene
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