Microplastics

The big problem of small particles.

In 2019, 368 million tons of plastics have been produced. It is approximately the same weight as of all people on this planet.1

Mismanaged plastic waste is the main source of secondary microplastics. Most of it comes from packaging.

Microplastics represent planet-wide pollution affecting all living organisms to an unknown degree. (Micro)plastic pollution is not only the zero-waste agenda but also the chemical pollution problem and it also significantly affects climate change.

(Micro)plastics problem is the whole life-cycle issue – from the point of raw material extraction to its eventual disposal and dispersion. Production, distribution, use, and end-of-life of plastic products must be considered.

International organizations and national governments take steps to regulate plastic production and waste management to fight plastic pollution. However, plastics production is rising every year. The actions must be faster and their implementation should be demanded.

There must be a rapid change in everybody’s consumption – from big enterprises to individuals.

Many ways of plastics collection, recycling and even bacterial degradation have been developed. These technologies can be helpful but are not powerful enough. The only possibility is to stop the continuous growth of plastics production and consumption.

References

1 Lebreton, L. and A. Andrady. Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal. Palgrave Communications. 2019, 5(1): 6. doi: 10.1057/s41599-018-0212-7.