Activity 3.3.3- My Plastic Use

"Microplastics, which are plastic particles or fibers smaller than 5 millimeters in size, are one of the many environmentally-detrimental outcomes of modern society's widespread use of plastics" (Haab, Page. 9). They can be in almost any products we use on a daily basis, whether it is a cosmetic product or a normal plastic product. The presence of the small particles of microplastics have increased over the years, which is not good for our environment. Throughout this essay, I will share what is considered to be microplastic, how they got here, and why it is harmful for the environment. 

    As stated in the beginning of the essay, microplastics are 5 millimeters or smaller, which can be possible to inhale or ingest into our body. A few examples of microplastics that we may not know about are Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Nylon, Polymethyl methacrylate, copolymers, and even more (Plastic Soup Foundation, 2019). These are just some of the examples of microplastics. Many people do not even know what half of these names are, which can be scary considering we may use some of these compounds on a daily basis. For example, Polymethyl methacrylate is usually used as an alternative for shatter-proof glass for windows or any place that needs it. It can leave particles of "glass" behind, which makes it a part of the microplastic group. These types of particles that shed off of these compounds can combine together, which makes it more likely for humans or animals to ingest them. As most of us know already, plastic can harm humans and animals, so the combination of particles from many compounds that we use daily, is affecting our environment more and more in a negative way. In order to decrease the harm in our environment from these particles, we must decrease our usage of plastic and other materials, such as the materials that I included at the beginning of the paragraph. 

   "Microplastics can also be produced from degradation and breakdown of microplastic debris, which commonly accumulates in aquatic environments due to improper waste disposal" (Haab, Page. 9). Based on this quote from the environmental impacts of microplastics reading, the debris of microplastics affects more than just ingestion from breathing the air. It pollutes the freshwater and affects aquatic life in our environment. Since the microplastic particles are so small, they are not able to be removed from the water, which leads to their release in the environment. Unfortunately, these microplastic particles are not biodegradable, which creates many harmful effects for the environment. The pollution of freshwater is a serious hazard that affects everyone in the environment. "Direct impacts are exerted on aquatic organisms that ingest microplastics, and indirect impacts are exerted from the role that microplastics play in alteration of habitat structure, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of toxins absorbed and carried by microplastics, and endangerment of ecosystem functions and services" (Haab, Page. 9 and 10). If this issue continues, then the environment and everything in and around it will be affected in a worse way. 

   We need to investigate the issue of microplastic pollution, what is causing it to increase, and how to decrease the debris of microplastics. We have established that microplastics are nothing but dangerous particles that have spread all over the world, which is causing hazards in our environment. We all need to team up and make a change, making small steps to change will decrease the microplastics. Whether we all start using less plastic in our households or eliminate the use of plastics overall. It is possible to decrease the amount of microplastics from the decrease in usage of plastic and other harmful materials. 

Resources:

Haab, S., & Haab, K. (n.d.). The environmental impacts of microplastics: An investigation of microplastic pollution in North Country waterbodies. Adventure Scientists. 

Plastic Soup Foundation, 2019

This is my picture collage of my plastic usage in one day. Based on how many photos I have; I did not use as much plastic as I thought I would. In my household, we do not like to use a great number of plastic products. While there is still a great number of plastic products I used in one day, I try my best to reduce the amount I use. For example, I try my best to only user one set of plastic utensils each day. I prefer to use the metal utensils anyways, but sometimes I grab the plastic ones if we do not have clean metal utensils. My usage of plastic can increase or decrease depending on the day, but this was my plastic usage for the previous day (Yesterday, November 2nd).