Happy Plastic-Free July!
Plastic-Free July is more than a trend, it’s a global movement challenging us to reflect on our relationship with plastic. While single-use bags and straws often get the most attention, a more insidious threat is pervasive in our homes, oceans, and even our bodies: microplastics
These microscopic fragments are virtually invisible to the naked eye, yet they’ve infiltrated every corner of the planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to mountaintops, from our tap water to our bloodstream. In this post, we take a closer look at microplastics: what they are, where they come from, how they’re affecting our planet (and our health), and what we can do about it during Plastic-Free July and beyond.
What Are Microplastics, Really?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 5 millimeters across, roughly the size of a sesame seed or smaller. Though small in size, their origins are vast and varied. Scientists categorize them into two main types:
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Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured to be small. Think plastic microbeads once common in face scrubs and toothpaste, or plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing.
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Secondary microplastics are fragments that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items over time. These come from items like plastic bags, bottles, fishing gear, and even car tires degrading due to sunlight, friction, and weathering.
Regardless of their origin, they all end up in the same place: our environment and ultimately, our bodies. We currently ingest a credit card worth of microplastics every week, and this is only early findings.
Microplastics: Hiding in Plain Sight
You might not see them, but microplastics are closer than you think:
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In your kitchen: Cutting boards made from plastic, food containers, and plastic wrap all shed particles through daily use and wear.
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In your laundry: One load of synthetic clothes (like polyester, nylon, acrylic) can release over 700,000 microfibers into the wash. These fibers flow through wastewater systems, many of which can’t filter them out completely.
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In your food: Sea salt, honey, sugar, rice, fruits, and vegetables have all tested positive for microplastic contamination. Even beer and bottled water are no longer safe from plastic pollution.
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In the air: Synthetic fibers from textiles and furniture break off and become airborne, contributing to indoor dust that we inhale daily.
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In marine life: Fish, shellfish, whales, and seabirds ingest microplastics mistaking them for food. These particles accumulate in organs and tissues, posing risks to both wildlife and humans who eat seafood.
A Plastic Problem We Can’t Filter Out
Once microplastics enter the environment, they’re incredibly hard to remove. Unlike larger plastic items that can (at least in theory) be picked up or recycled, microplastics are so small that they pass through most water filtration systems. They can persist in ecosystems for hundreds of years, slowly accumulating in soil, rivers, and oceans.
Even more troubling is their tendency to act like magnets for toxins. Microplastics readily absorb harmful substances like pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals. When consumed by animals or humans, these plastic-laced poisons can trigger inflammation, disrupt hormones, and potentially lead to cancer or neurological damage.
The Human Health Factor
It’s not just an environmental issue. It's personal. Recent studies have found microplastics in:
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Human bloodstream
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Lung tissue
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Breast milk
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Placental tissue
Scientists are still studying the long-term impacts, but early research suggests that microplastics may interfere with cellular processes, immune response, reproductive health, and organ function.
And because plastics are made with endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates, even trace exposure can influence hormone levels, particularly in children, fetuses, and pregnant people.
What You Can Do During (and After) Plastic-Free July
The problem is vast, but you don’t need to feel helpless. Plastic-Free July is the perfect opportunity to shift your habits and start tackling microplastic pollution from the ground up.
1. Rethink Your Wardrobe
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Choose clothing made from natural materials like organic cotton, linen, or hemp.
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Install a microfiber filter or use a Guppyfriend bag in your washing machine to trap plastic fibers.
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Wash less frequently, use cold water, and avoid harsh spin cycles.
2. Filter Your Water
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Invest in a high-quality carbon block or reverse osmosis filter to reduce microplastics in your drinking water.
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Skip bottled water, which often contains more microplastics than tap water.
3. Avoid Products With Microbeads
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Microbeads are still found in some beauty and personal care products. Look for ingredients like polyethylene or polypropylene—these are red flags.
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Choose products with natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, coffee grounds, or oatmeal instead.
4. Reduce Overall Plastic Use
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Choose products that come in compostable or plastic-free packaging.
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Bring your own bags, jars, and utensils when shopping or dining out.
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Repair broken items instead of replacing them, and consider buying secondhand whenever possible.
5. Support Broader Change
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Advocate for legislation that addresses microfiber pollution, plastic packaging, and waste reduction.
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Support businesses committed to circular systems, compostable products, and zero-waste packaging.
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Share your journey! Use social media to talk about microplastics and amplify the conversation.
It’s Time to Get Micro About Plastic
While much of the plastic problem is visible, beaches littered with bottles, wildlife tangled in nets, microplastics represent a hidden layer of pollution we can’t ignore. Their small size allows them to sneak into every crack of the natural world—and into the most intimate parts of our lives.
Plastic-Free July is a reminder that even small actions matter. By being mindful of the micro, we can make macro changes that ripple across ecosystems, communities, and generations.
Let’s move beyond reusable straws and canvas bags (though those help too) and start tackling the plastic problem at its source, before it becomes too small to see, and too big to fix.
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