Microplastics sources

There are two main categories of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More:

Primary

microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More are already produced on a micro-scale.

Secondary

microplastics form by the fragmentation of plastic products.¹

Major sources of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More, generally, are the wear and tear of automotive wheels. Surprisingly, the biggest source of primary microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More is plastic pellets lost during pre-product logistic. Transportation of industrial pellets causes an annual loss of 70–105 billion euros. Also, road markings, building and ships paint, and synthetic fabric fibers are significant microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More sources. Intentionally added microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More are estimated to count just for a small percentage of all microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More released (primary) or originated (secondary) in the environment.¹

However, above mentioned microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More sources are minuscule compared to annual plastic production. Mismanaged plastic waste is the main source of secondary microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More.

Packaging consumes almost half of all plastics production. Moreover, the average lifetime of packaging is only half a year. In contrast, it is 35 years in construction.² Decreasing plastic consumption in packaging means a significant improvement in the (micro)plasticsMaterials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions. More problem.

Plastic Cunsumption by Segments

Fig. 1: Plastic consumption quantified by segments. Data from ref.³

Plastic Production by Type

Fig. 2: Plastic production quantified by type of polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits.. Data from ref.²

Even unforseen events cause plastic pollution – 5 million LEGO pieces are buried on the seabed since 1997 when a ship container overturned. Furthermore, it is estimated that kids flushed into toilet more than 2 million LEGO pieces, globally.⁴

References

¹Filiciotto, L. and G. Rothenberg. Biodegradable PlasticsBiodegradable plastics are plastics that are completely assimilated by the microorganisms present a defined environment as food for their energy. The … More: Standards, Policies, and Impacts. ChemSusChem. 2020, n/a(n/a). doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202002044.

²Geyer, R., J. R. Jambeck and K. L. Law. Production, use, and fate of all plasticsMaterials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions. More ever made. Science Advances. 2017, 3(7): e1700782. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700782.

³Patil, S., A. Bafana, P. K. Naoghare, et al. Environmental prevalence, fate, impacts, and mitigation of microplastics—a critical review on present understanding and future research scope. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021, 28(5): 4951-4974. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-11700-4.

⁴Turner, A., R. Arnold and T. Williams. Weathering and persistence of plastic in the marine environment: Lessons from LEGO. Environmental Pollution. 2020, 262: 114299. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114299.