Activity 3.3.3- My Plastic Use

Sarah Dudas’s TED Talk, Microplastics Are Everywhere, opened my eyes to the overwhelming impact plastic pollution has on our environment and health. She mentions that in just 65 years, we have produced an estimated 8,300 million metric tons of plastic, yet only 9% has been recycled so the rest ends up in landfills, oceans, and ultimately, our bodies!! Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that never fully decompose, making them a major environmental and health concern. Microplastics are plastic particles that are less than 5mm in size, about as small as a grain of rice. They come in two forms, the first is called Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured to be small, such as microbeads in cosmetics or fibers from synthetic clothing (Dudas, 2018). Secondary microplastics are a result from the breakdown of larger plastics due to exposure to sunlight, ocean waves, or friction over time (Plastic Soup Foundation, 2019).According to Dr. Erik van Sebille in “Charting the Garbage Patches of the Sea (2013), plastic waste enters oceans via rivers, beaches, and ships. Once there, it breaks down into microplastics and persists for decades. The North Pacific Gyre now contains more plastic by weight than aquatic life. Research by marine scientist Abby Barrows found that microplastics are in our drinking water and seafood. This means we unknowingly consume plastic every day (Barrows, 2018). Which is raising serious health concerns. Plastics reach these locations in many different ways, like the breakdown of larger plastic waste ( bottles, bags, fishing nets, laundry and hair wash bottles) along with Industrial sources (factories releasing plastic particles into the air and water). Micro plastic also enters our water system from the synthetic clothing fibers most of the population wears. (washing clothes made of polyester, nylon, or acrylic releases thousands of tiny plastic fibers into water systems). Microplastics pose severe risks for not only human health but the environment as well. 2019 studies from Plastic Soup Foundation suggest that when microplastics enter the bloodstream, they can cause inflammation, disrupt hormones, and accumulate in organs . Scientists are still studying the long-term effects due to microplastic. With the research scientists have already found it suggests potential links to cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues, and even cancer (Watson, 2024). Ocean wildlife often mistake plastic for food, leading to starvation and poisoning. This pollution is so severe that, as van Sebille notes, parts of the ocean, especially in the Pacific, contain more plastic than fish by weight. Bioaccumulation occurs when fish eat or consume microplastics, these contaminants travel up the food chain and end up on our plates. This means no matter how much you avoid contributing to plastic pollution, you are still exposed through the food you eat, especially fish. Microplastics are a concerning issue that is rapidly increasing, affecting our environment, wildlife, and personal health. Despite the microscopic size, they have a massive impact, persisting in our ecosystems and bodies. Reducing plastic use, improving recycling efforts. By supporting policy changes we can help address this gloable crisis. Individually we can make a difference by choosing reusable products, washing synthetic clothing less frequently, and supporting bans on microbeads. The fight against plastic pollution starts with awareness and action. Reduce, reuse and recycle.

This collage shows the various plastic based products I encountered in a single day, opening my eyes to how plastic is embedded in our daily lives even if we do our best to avoid single use plastic items. From my personal care products like sunscreen, lotion, chapstick, toothbrush, skincare and makeup to household essentials like cleaning supplies and most food packaging, plastic is every which way. Sadly many of these daily use items are contributing to microplastic pollution. This exercise has made me feel more aware of how reliant we are on plastic and I know it is important to find sustainable alternatives no matter how little.