I’ve been more and more conscious about microplastics. I was not aware that the laundry and dishwasher pods are just plastic which then goes into the water system.

What can be done to prevent microplastics?

  • Gigan@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Yes. Almost half of all microplastic particles are fibers from synthetic clothing. So I avoid buying clothes that are not made with natural materials. I also avoid single use plaatics as much as I can and recycle as much as I can.

    • vortic@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      I keep hearing random statistics about sources of microplastics and have no idea what to believe at this point. Just yesterday I saw something saying that 78% of microplastics come from tires.

    • Aurelius@lemmy.worldOP
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      8 months ago

      Same. I reduce usage when I can. If not, then I try to at least reuse it (such as a plastic bag). Last resort is to recycle.

      Unfortunately, plastic recycling seems to largely be a scam (in that it doesn’t actually get recycled)

      • Gigan@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Yeah, very little plastic actually gets recycled but its better than none of it.

        • Aurelius@lemmy.worldOP
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          8 months ago

          I think the issue is that people feel empowered to use plastic because they think it ultimately will be recycled.

          NPR has done various reporting on this, but essentially the players in the plastic industry have long known that plastic recycling did not work but they actively promoted it (knowing that it would increase plastic usage)

          • ABCDE@lemmy.world
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            8 months ago

            The producers should also be made to collect their waste, or pay for the waste produced so it will be processed properly.

              • ABCDE@lemmy.world
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                8 months ago

                Yes, so the prices should reflect their actual cost. More natural products would then be cheaper.