Microbeads
As you may know from our previous posts, microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic smaller than a grain of sand found in personal care products such as face soap, body wash and toothpaste. They are so small that most water treatment plants cannot capture them, so they end up in waterways where they absorb pollution and are consumed by fish and other animals. The good news is the “Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015” bans the manufacture of microbead products in the United States by this July. Unfortunately, you may still find them in stores or your home after this date.
Sources and more information:
Previous posts:
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2010/05/story-of-stuff-full-version-how-things.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/an-update-about-microbeads.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-microbeads-were-banned-in-illinois.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-house-of-representatives-voted-to.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/progress-house-of-representatives.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-we-can-help-end-microbeads.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/california-has-one-of-strongest-laws.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/national-ban.html
- https://ecopolproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/heres-to-another-bill-banning-microbeads.html
Microfibers
Microfibers are small pieces of plastic released from washing synthetic fabrics like polyester. As with microbeads, they are so small that water treatment plants do not capture all of them. They end up in waterways where they absorb pollution and are eaten by fish and other animals. Consumers not purchasing synthetic clothing will not solve this recently discovered issue. The real answer is to tell these companies to prioritize finding a solution.
Sources and more information:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfiber
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/20/microfibers-plastic-pollution-oceans-patagonia-synthetic-clothes-microbeads
- http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/02/06/511843443/are-we-eating-our-fleece-jackets-microfibers-are-migrating-into-field-and-food
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