If you’re reading this, you probably already know that plastic pollution is a big problem that's affecting our planet and all the creatures that call it home. One particular type of plastic pollution that's been gaining attention recently is microplastics. You may have heard about them, but what exactly are microplastics, and what can we do to tackle this issue? Read on to learn more.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, less than 5mm in size, that come from a variety of sources. When we dispose of large plastic waste like water bottles or straws, they never fully biodegrade. Instead, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces that can easily infiltrate all areas of the natural environment. Unfortunately, once microplastics are in our environment, they are almost impossible to remove because of their size (1).
Plastic pollution, including microplastics, is now found almost everywhere on the planet, including in uninhabited pristine environments. For instance, plastic has even been found to be accumulating in the Arctic - far from most human activity and plastic usage (2). Microplastics have also been discovered in the Great Lakes, which are a source of drinking water for many Canadians. Studies show that 90% of water samples taken over the last 10 years contain microplastics at levels that are unsafe for wildlife (3). These microplastics are impacting the environment, wildlife, and potentially human health.
According to Health Canada, humans may be exposed to microplastics via the ingestion of food, bottled water, and tap water, as well as through the breathing of indoor and outdoor air (4). It’s estimated that humans consume up to one credit card size worth of microplastics each week, with higher consumption amounts among those who use products such as bottled water and coffee pods (5). Microplastics have even been found inside our bodies, including in our lungs, in breastmilk and in our blood (6). However, the full extent to which microplastics affect humans is still unknown.
Where do they come from?
Microplastics can originate from various sources, such as the breakdown of larger plastic objects in the environment, plastic manufacturing, or even plastic recycling (7). But did you know that washing our clothes is one of the biggest culprits in creating microplastics? Synthetic fabrics like acrylic and polyester can release tiny fibres when washed, which contributes to the microplastic problem. A single load of laundry can release up to 700,000 microfibres that ends up in our waterways (8).
How we can help?
Our plastic pollution problem is significant, and there is no easy solution. The good news is that the government of Canada is investing in more research into microplastics and their potential impact. But we can also all do our part by making small changes in our daily routines to reduce our plastic use. To reduce the amount of microplastics released from your laundry, choose natural fibres such as cotton, linen or hemp. Washing in cold water vs warm also helps to release fewer microfibres into the water (9). You can also add a filter to your washing machine to capture the microfibres. And of course, we should all do our best to reduce the amount of plastics we use. Make using reusable water bottles and coffee mugs a habit, take advantage of refillery stores in your area, and choose products with low plastic or plastic-free packaging whenever possible.