Plastics. Now you see me.....

Has plastic become impossible to avoid? Concerns about its impact on our environment have sparked public and government interest through images of plastics in our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch  has become a focus of interest raising concern over their disposal and impact. Disturbing images of wildlife are often shared on social media showing suffering of animals caught up in plastic debris. But this is just the plastic we can can see. What about that which we can't?

Microplastics

Seagull at Whitby Bay, UK (source: author)

Microplastics are particles just 5mm and less in size. We might not be able to see them but they are real and of growing concern. Its a great relief that we are seeing more countries banning the sale of microbeads. The number of them should reduce then? Well, no. Big plastics become smaller and smaller from the action of sunlight, heat and erosion and eventually they become microplastics.  If we want to get rid of this problem we need to reduce all plastic waste.

Surprising sources of plastic

It's in our nylon-based textiles in our homes where we wake, the cars we drive, the offices we work and the gadgets and tools we use. Not convinced?  Did you brush your teeth this morning? Plastic toothbrush handles, bristles and microbeads in the toothpaste. Still not convinced? Plastic is used to make teabags! Big and small. Plastics we see and those that are too small. Find out more about 10 surprising sources of "stealth plastics" in this article .