Either in its original form or broken down into the very harmful microplastic fractions, that are now twirling around in our environment. In nature, the ocean, our drinking water, soil, animals, airways, foods, fruits, and vegetables, and consequently in our human bodies and brains. 

New studies have found that we not only eat the micro particles, but also inhale microplastics in vast amounts. Especially indoors, as our homes contain an enormous mixture of microplastics coming from conventional plastic bags, bottles, toys, and cosmetics containing micro-beads etc. Most of the airborne plastic fibres actually come from synthetic clothing and fabrics used in furniture, carpets and the like. It is estimated that we ingest up to 70,000 microplastic particles annually simply from the dust that settles on the food that we eat. It is not yet entirely clear how the inhalation of microplastics affects our health, but it doesn’t take a scientist to wonder - if microplastics swimming in our bloodstream or permanently sitting in our lungs - is a good thing or not…

What’s the problem? Conventional plastic is a relatively cheap material to produce, and has amazing functionalities. If handled 100% correct and reused in all eternity, it probably wouldn’t be a problem. Human habit is the problem. An easy fix, you might think, and in theory, it is. In reality however… not so much. As of right now, we only recycle a disappointing 9%, and so we’re simply too far away from that ‘solution’. Human behaviour is not adapting fast enough.

With ‘the power of habit’ against us, it is naïve of us to think, that we can persuade the entire world population, to make sure no plastic is left in nature or even allowed to break in two. On the contrary, it would be much ‘easier’ to replace the conventional plastics, where possible, with certified compostable plastics because they leave no harmful residue behind. Of course, it still needs to be handled and disposed correctly and no plastic should ever end up in nature. Compostable plastic alternatives have the same features as conventional plastic, EXCEPT the negative environmental consequences of microplastics. This makes them a small change with a big impact! Replacing conventional plastic products with compostable plastic versions of the same products, is thus a faster way forward towards a massive environmental impact.