Microplastics: The Invisible Pollution We Can’t Ignore 🌍💧 Every year, up to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into our water systems. To put this into perspective, the average person may eat, drink, or breathe between 78,000 and 211,000 microplastic particles annually. 🔹 But where do these tiny plastic particles come from? 1️⃣ Primary microplastics – These are intentionally small plastics, like: ✅ Microbeads (once common in cosmetics) ✅ Plastic pellets (nurdles) used in manufacturing ✅ Plastic glitter (yes, that festive sparkle has an environmental cost) 2️⃣ Microfibers – Shed from synthetic clothing during washing, these are a major source of microplastic pollution. 3️⃣ Secondary microplastics – Larger plastic debris breaks down over time, including: ⚠️ Discarded fishing gear ⚠️ Plastic litter degraded by sunlight and weather 4️⃣ Nanoplastics – Even smaller and harder to detect, these are now found in remote locations like the Alps, carried by tyre wear particles and other sources. 💡 Why does this matter? Microplastics have been found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. As research continues, so does the urgency to rethink our plastic use. What can we do? Reduce single-use plastics, choose sustainable materials, and support policies that tackle plastic pollution at its source. Let’s start the conversation. What actions do you take to reduce plastic waste? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇 #plasticpollution #microplastics #sustainability #environment https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alliance-for-sustainability-education-asec_plasticpollution-microplastics-sustainability-activity-7300085464529547266-RQuv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAACcAqrgBS7Dcq-0g6FU40ug_OAd4WCZU1yo