I seem to be encountering the word ‘microplastic’ quite frequently lately. I don’t like thinking about the topic, to be honest, but as I’m not an ostrich, I can’t bury my head in the sand. So, instead, I boldly ventured into the murky waters of microplastics and got the lowdown so that I can share it with you. Also, that’s a pretty mixed metaphor there, and I won’t be a party to the spread of misinformation, so… Ostriches never actually bury their heads in the sand! Haha
Okay, so I’m pretty sure you’re familiar with the concept of microplastic, but just in case, what we’re talking about here are the microscopic pieces of plastic that are now being found everywhere. We are now finding microplastics not only on every continent and in every ocean, but also in the food we eat, the water we drink, in the air we breathe, and even in the organs of our bodies. It’s very shocking, to be honest, and even though it feels like just one more horror for us to try to navigate in an increasingly overwhelming world, there are a few key things that you can do to make a massive difference in how much microplastic is making its way into you and your family.
So, let’s first establish some of the most significant contributors to our consumption of microplastics.
SEAFOOD – We all know there’s heaps of plastic floating around in the ocean. Heck, there’s an island-sized flotilla of plastic waste called the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch.’ Still, interestingly, that’s not the primary contributor to the plastic that we’re ingesting from the ocean. You know how it’s become increasingly challenging to avoid clothing and homewares made of polyester or other synthetic fibres, like nylon? The plastic used for bottled drinks is the same plastic used to create garments, bedding, and other products. Every time you wash those garments, they release vast amounts of microplastics into the water. Even though they are treated at wastewater plants, those microplastics still end up in the ocean. Unlike plastic bottles and other materials, polyester microplastic particles are suspended in the water and ingested by marine creatures. When we eat molluscs like clams and oysters, or small fish, like sardines, because we’re eating the whole creature, or close to the entire creature, we’re ingesting all the plastic that creature has ingested. Therefore, limiting your consumption of these types of seafood is a good idea.
WARM PLASTIC – For the last two decades, I’ve bought chicken in bulk, and then separated the breasts or thighs into meal-sized portions and frozen them in plastic freezer bags. When I needed chicken, I’d grab one of these bags and defrost it in the microwave. Turns out, this is a big, fat, honking, no-no! You may have noticed that many plastic items now feature the label ‘BPA Free.’ That’s pretty much a marketing gimmick to get you to feel comfortable with plastic again, but here’s the kicker: As soon as you heat plastic, even a little, it begins to leech plastic particles (and chemicals) into whatever is inside the plastic. This applies not only to heating plastic storage containers in the microwave, but also to take-out food containers, plastic cling wrap, plastic coffee cups, and even drink bottles that have warmed in the sun or the car. Get rid of all your plastic wear as soon as you can. Switch to microwave-safe glass options, such as beeswax wraps, and opt for stainless steel or glass water bottles. Fun fact: I recently came across an anecdote from someone who had visited the home of the CEO of Tupperware, and he shared the fact that the CEO refuses to have any plastic in his house at all. That’s food for thought, no?
TEABAGS – Since around the 90s, teabags have been made of polyester. Good grief, it’s hard to get away from this crap. With what we’ve just learned about the dangers of warming plastic, now imagine pouring boiling water over it, swishing it around in a cup, and then drinking it? Recent studies have shown that a single teabag releases billions of micro- and nano-plastic particles into your cup of tea. BILLIONS! Switch to loose-leaf tea, which incidentally is a perfect excuse to go hunting through op (thrift) shops or Etsy for cute old teapots and save yourself from these nasty plastic particles!
We don’t yet know the long-term ramifications of all this microplastic everywhere. There is increasing research into the topic, and I’d put money on it being one of the most significant issues we face in the next few decades. However, at least you can get ahead of the curve in minimizing how much of it is going into you and your family. Hopefully, now that you have the lowdown on microplastics, you’ll feel better prepared to address this issue by making a few simple changes that will have a significant impact.
