{"id":24895,"date":"2025-07-01T22:52:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T22:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/?p=24895"},"modified":"2025-07-14T22:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T22:33:10","slug":"pfj-2025-microplastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/pfj-2025-microplastics\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Plastics: The Problem We Can\u2019t Always See"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em><em><em>When we think of plastic pollution, most of us picture the obvious: grocery bags tangled in trees, foam cups littering sidewalks, bottles bobbing in the ocean. But the truth is, the problem runs much deeper. A significant portion of the plastic polluting our world is invisible to the eye\u2014either embedded in everyday items or broken down into microscopic fragments\u2014and it\u2019s everywhere.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24897 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4-200x100.png 200w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4.png 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Many of the products we use daily contain plastic, even when they don\u2019t look or feel like it.<\/strong> Sometimes it\u2019s part of the material itself. Other times, it\u2019s hidden in coatings, adhesives, or fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hidden Plastics All Around Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a list of everyday items that often contain hidden plastics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clothing (especially polyester, nylon, spandex, and acrylic fabrics)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tea bags (often sealed with plastic or made from nylon mesh)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disposable coffee cups (lined with polyethylene)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receipts (often coated with BPA-containing plastic)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chewing gum (the \u201cgum base\u201d is usually synthetic rubber or plastic)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wet wipes and diapers (made with plastic fibers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glitter and sequins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paints and coatings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paper plates and bowls (typically coated in plastic for waterproofing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bandages and medical tape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampon applicators)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frozen food packaging (may contain plastic films)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"666\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-1024x666.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24899 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/666;width:700px;height:auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-1024x666.png 1024w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-768x499.png 768w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-1536x998.png 1536w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2-192x125.png 192w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Everyday-Items-Hidden-Plastics-2.png 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you start noticing, it\u2019s hard to unsee: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/microplastic-inside-your-body#:~:text=Matthew%20Campen%2C%20a%20toxicologist%20at,everywhere%20that%20scientists%20have%20looked.%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plastic is embedded in our lives<\/a> in ways we rarely consider. And because many of these plastic items are used only once, they contribute to a growing <a href=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/our-programs\/reducing-plastics\/global-plastics-crisis\/\">global plastics crisis<\/a> that <a href=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/our-programs\/reducing-plastics\/product-design\/\">can\u2019t simply be recycled away<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microplastics: Tiny Particles, Big Problem&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/our-programs\/reducing-plastics\/microplastics\/\">Microplastics<\/a> are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters long\u2014about the size of a sesame seed or smaller. They\u2019re created when larger plastic items break down through sunlight, weather, and friction. Others are <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/microplastics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">intentionally manufactured at this size for use in products<\/a> like exfoliating scrubs or industrial abrasives (these are known as <em>primary microplastics<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Microplastics have been found in:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ocean water and deep-sea sediment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soil and farmland (often through plastic mulch or sewage sludge)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drinking water and even bottled water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human blood, lungs, and placentas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fish, birds, and other wildlife<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Microplastics are concerning not only because of their prevalence, but also their toxicity. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/envhealth.3c00052\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">They carry harmful chemicals and can potentially lead to DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well as a variety of chronic diseases<\/a>. Microplastics can also accumulate up the food chain, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snexplores.org\/article\/polluting-microplastics-harm-both-animals-and-ecosystems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wildlife often mistaking them for food, which can lead to starvation, internal damage, or poisoning<\/a>. And humans are affected, too. Studies estimate that the average person inhales about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org\/blog\/2024\/3\/7\/humans-inhale-a-credit-cards-worth-of-microplastics-every-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5 grams of microplastic per week<\/a>\u2014roughly the size of a credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"666\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-1024x666.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24902 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/666;width:700px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-1024x666.png 1024w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-768x499.png 768w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-1536x998.png 1536w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1-192x125.png 192w, https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Where-Microplastics-are-found-1.png 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Systems Change: Policy and Innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The scale and reach of microplastics pollution can feel overwhelming, but there\u2019s progress. Some microplastics have already been restricted or banned. In 2015, the US passed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/cosmetics\/cosmetics-laws-regulations\/microbead-free-waters-act-faqs\">Microbead-Free Waters Act<\/a>, which banned plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics like facial scrubs and toothpaste. Other countries\u2014including Canada, the UK, and several EU nations\u2014have passed similar or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowe.com\/insights\/faq-on-the-eu-microplastics-ban\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stricter legislation, targeting glitter, industrial microplastics, and synthetic fibers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Beyond bans, innovation is emerging from both tech and nature-based solutions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Biodegradable materials are being developed from <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/scientists-figured-make-bio-based-plastic-completely-biodegrades\/story?id=110032450#:~:text=Log%20In-,Scientists%20have%20figured%20out%20way%20to%20make%20algae%2Dbased%20plastic,breaks%20down%20after%20seven%20months.&amp;text=Research%20shows%20a%20plastic%20made,Scientific%20Reports%20earlier%20this%20year.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">algae<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/scientists-create-biodegradable-plastic-alternative-thats-literally-alive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mushrooms<\/a>, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2016\/08\/160821093046.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">milk proteins<\/a> as alternatives to plastic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/blog\/reduce-laundry-microfiber-pollution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washing machine filters and fiber-catching laundry bags<\/a> can reduce the number of microfibers shed from clothing into waterways.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0048969724007939\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Natural filtration systems<\/a>, like constructed wetlands and biochar, are being tested to capture microplastics in stormwater and wastewater.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Going Beyond the Surface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Plastic pollution isn\u2019t just what we can see\u2014it\u2019s hidden in our closets, cosmetics, food, and even our bodies. Change starts with awareness, but it doesn\u2019t end there. We need continued investment in policy, innovation, and infrastructure that helps us phase out harmful plastics, hold producers accountable, and build a future that\u2019s less toxic. By understanding the scale of hidden plastics and microplastics, we can support smarter choices\u2014and stronger systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we think of plastic pollution, most of us picture the obvious: grocery bags tangled in trees, foam cups littering sidewalks, bottles bobbing in the ocean. But the truth is, the problem runs much deeper. A significant portion of the plastic polluting our world is invisible to the eye\u2014either embedded in everyday items or broken [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":24897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[151,276,275],"tags":[292,165,195,206],"class_list":["post-24895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-homepage","category-reducing-plastics","category-sustainable-living","tag-microplastics","tag-recycling","tag-reuse","tag-zero-waste"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hidden Plastics: The Problem We Can\u2019t Always See - Eco-Cycle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hidden Plastics: The Problem We Can\u2019t Always See - Eco-Cycle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/pfj-2025-microplastics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Eco-Cycle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-01T22:52:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-14T22:33:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PFJ2025_Banner4.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kylie Byrd\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ecocycle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kylie Byrd\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kylie Byrd\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4f3ff81e19f2633236812597d34caa1b\"},\"headline\":\"Hidden Plastics: The Problem We Can\u2019t Always See\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-01T22:52:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-14T22:33:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":654,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/PFJ2025_Banner4.png\",\"keywords\":[\"microplastics\",\"recycling\",\"reuse\",\"Zero Waste\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog Homepage\",\"Reducing Plastics\",\"Sustainable Living\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ecocycle.org\\\/pfj-2025-microplastics\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hidden Plastics: The Problem We Can\u2019t Always See - 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