Plastic Pollution

Classification of plastics.a

aAdapted from Hartmann et al. in Environmental Science and Technology [24].

Macroplastics: plastics > 1 cm in at least one dimension

Mesoplastics: plastics 1 to <10 mm

Microplastics: plastics with dimensions between 1 and <1000 µm

Nanoplastics: plastics 1 to <1000 nm


Plastic pollution and global heating are caught in a “vicious circle” of one feeding the other, a new study by researchers from Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology has found.

The mutually reinforcing relationship increases global heating, plastic waste, the degradation of materials and the leaching of chemicals into the biosphere.

Rising global temperatures will cause everyday plastics to deteriorate more quickly, resulting in increased demand. Producing additional plastic products will lead to more greenhouse gas emissions, driving up temperatures, explained Xinfeng Wei, a polymeric materials researcher at KTH.

Plastics were responsible for 3.4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 — roughly 1.8 billion tons — primarily due to their conversion from fossil fuels and their production, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said. That amount is predicted to double by 2060.

The feedback loop described by the researchers links the greenhouse gas emissions with moisture, heat and the weakened structural bonds of polymers like rubber and plastic that are formed from chains of large molecules.

In order to address the dual challenges of climate change and plastic pollution, the researchers encouraged a mobilization of efforts in all sectors of the lifecycle of plastics.

Use link (after description) to find marine plastic data

Fertilizing Fields With Sewage Sludge Releases More Microplastics Into the Airhttps://www.ecowatch.com/microplastics-fertilizers-wind.html
MICROPLASTICS -- BBCMicroplastics are everywhere: Is it possible to reduce our exposure?https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240110-microplastics-are-everywhere-is-it-possible-to-reduce-our-exposure

Fighting Plastic Pollution

16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment

cosmetic product containing ingredients commonly used in shampoo and conditioner; hairspray and dyes; hygiene products; foundation and primer; lotions; fragrances such as perfumes and laundry powders

VOICE ABOVE WATER is the story of a 90-year-old Balinese fisherman who can no longer fish because of the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean, instead he collects trash in hopes of being able to fish again. The story is a glimpse into how one human is using his resources to make a difference and a reminder that if we all play our part we can accomplish something much greater than ourselves.

Rethinking plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand 

Plastic particles in bottled water

Below are some research papers they could take a look at. Let me know if you're looking for more public access kind of info, like websites.