Microscopic Particles Causing Macroscopic Problems

Multiple studies show that the world produces over 350 million metric tons of plastic waste every year. As this waste begins to break down, tiny plastic fibres make their way into our everyday lives in big ways. There are 7 different main plastic types -some of the big culprits of plastic waste include:

Polyethylene or "PE"

Polypropylene or "PP"

Polyethylene Terephthalate or "PET"

Polyvinyl Chloride or "PVC"

Polycarbonate or "PC"

Polyamide or "PA"

Polystyrene or "PS

400 million+ metric tonnes produced yearly

300 million+ metric tonnes waste yearly

1.7 million+ metric tonnes waste yearly in our oceans

Here are some common ways microplastics can affect you:

EAT

More than 50,000 pieces of microplastics are ingested every year. These can come from seafood where plastic waste has infiltrated our oceans and waterways as well as plastic drinking bottles!

TOUCH

Plastic microfibres from clothes can leach into your body as well as skin care products that use the same chemicals found in plastics. Also, things you come into contact with on a daily basis: receipts, bottles, packages and more can contain microplastic fibres.

BREATHE

Microplastics travel through the air as they break away from their original product.