We all have heard (hopefully) of the plastic pollution epidemic. According to Environmental Health News, “In 2015, we produced almost 450 million tons of plastic, with that number expected to double by 2050.” With an average of another 8 million tons of plastic pollution being added to the oceans each year. This year, the new focus has been moved to microplastics. You’re probably asking how microplastics affect the environment? I will tell you!
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic waste, broken down into fragment sizes due to environmental impacts. “Microplastics are swept up in the water cycle, returning to land via precipitation and impacting soil quality. These plastic fragments are also ingested by wildlife, impacting not only their biological systems but also contaminating our food supply” (Environmental Health News, 2021). While I am in no way a marine biologist, scientist or even anything close, I am a sustainability fanatic. I have taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can about how we can stop consuming and contributing to the microplastic problem.
How Can Microplastics Affect Human Health
Microplastics are accumulated within the food chain due to animals ingesting them, and are being passed to humans (FAO, 2016). The nature of the consequences for human health and how harmful this will be can’t be foreseen. As you can imagine the constant ingestion of foreign objects that can’t be digested is not an ideal circumstance. “Tests done on some marine species have shown that endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastic have affected their reproductive systems. For example, oysters impacted by plastic-saturated environments produce less eggs. These tests have raised new questions about the impacts of plastic on our food supply as animals ingest plastic from the first days of life” (Environmental Health News, 2021).
What Can We Do About Microplastics?
The Ocean Cleanup is an organization working to develop new technologies that make ocean plastics cleanup possible. They have a goal to eliminate up to 90% of ocean plastic waste. Here are my favorite ways to help do your part in stopping microplastics:
- Many microplastics come from our clothing and the manufacturing process. Though nearly invisible, half a million tons of these small fibers make their way into our oceans and waterways each year. Simply, from the clothing we wash and wear. Paying attention to the brands you shop from and the ways they are manufacturing their clothing helps to stop the fast fashion contribution. Buying from eco conscious brands (such as ours) that utilize sustainable efforts make a huge impact in delaying the affects of the fast fashion industry.
- Air dry and wash your clothes less. Each time clothing is washed and dried microplastic fibers enter the water system.
- Limit your consumption of single-sue plastic products. Such as water bottles, to-go containers and small toiletries. Opt for reusable options such as glass, cotton or larger use plastic products.
- Opt for change. Let others know if this matters to you (and it should!).
So, can you say you’ve learned more about how microplastics affect the environment? Leave us a comment if it did!
