They’re in the air. They’re in the water. They’re in the food we eat and clothes we wear. They’re even inside our bodies.
Microplastics, or tiny plastic particles, are the latest artificial pollutant threatening human health and natural ecosystems. Microplastics have been linked to an increase in hormone disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance and cancer, according to the UN Development Programme. They have also been found to harm oceans, soil and freshwater supply.
Although microplastics are increasingly difficult to avoid, by switching out everyday products with plastic-free alternatives, students can reduce their exposure to microplastics and the amount they put out into the environment.
Get rid of these eight household items to help reduce your microplastic footprint.
Detergent pods
Detergent pods are convenient when doing laundry, but they're encased in a soft plastic called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which has been advertised as water-soluble and safe for the environment.
However, a 2021 study found that US water plants have sub-optimal conditions for PVA to dissolve, allowing it to make its way into waterways and soil, and leaching heavy metals into groundwater. As much as 75% of PVA, or 8,000 tons, is released into ecosystems every year.
Switching to liquid detergent or laundry tablets, such as those sold by Blueland, can help students eliminate personal PVA pollution and avoid shedding microplastics onto their clothes and into waterways.
Plastic containers
Many students have a host of Tupperware and otherwise plastic containers for storing leftovers and reheating food. As plastic degrades over time, its chemical bonds can wear down and release microplastics into food. When exposed to high heat through processes like microwaving, plastic containers can release chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and polyethylene into food, according to a 2024 study published in Heliyon.
To avoid this, students should consider switching to glass jars or containers for storing and heating food. Pyrex sells durable and heat-resistant glass cookware and containers, perfect for storing and reheating food without microplastic exposure.
Plastic straws
The “save the turtles” movement popularized moving away from single-use straws after plastic straws were found in the nostrils of turtles.
But because they contain chemicals like BPA and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), plastic straws can harm human health as well as marine life. These chemicals can often leach into the liquids we drink, especially hot liquids, and harm thyroid, liver and immune system function, according to the CDC via Newsweek.
To avoid consuming these chemicals with their drinks, students can invest in reusable metal straws , or better yet, go straw-free.
Plastic cups and water bottles
Similar to plastic straws, plastic cups and water bottles can also leach toxic chemicals into the liquid they hold. Plastic cups and water bottles can take 70-450 years to decompose because they are made of a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), according to Chariot Energy, a renewable power company.
Swapping a plastic bottle for a reusable stainless steel or glass bottle can help keep plastic waste out of landfills and toxic chemicals out of students’ beverages. Students can also invest in stainless steel or ceramic thermoses for on-the-go hot drinks. Additionally, certain Starbucks locations offer discounts and rewards to customers who bring a reusable cup.
Dryer sheets
Students use dryer sheets to reduce wrinkles and static when drying clothes, but a Springer Nature study found that dryer sheets can release 21 distinct volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and microplastics as they break down after being thrown away.
According to Healthline, dryer sheets are made of non-woven polyester fibers and often have added fragrance to give laundry a clean smell. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates fragrance products, does not require manufacturers to disclose the ingredients they use. Healthline reported that breathing in scented products can cause asthma attacks, migraines, eye irritation, and allergic skin reactions.
Students can consider switching to reusable wool dryer balls, like those sold by Friendsheep, that do not release microplastics. Wool is extremely absorbent, so it can also reduce drying times and soften clothes, according to CNN.
Clothes with synthetic fibers
When checking clothes labels, it is common to see clothes made entirely or partially of polyester. Polyester has become popular in the apparel industry due to its light weight, low production cost and versatility, according to PalmGear. But this material is plastic-based and has been found to shed high amounts of plastic fiber when washed or worn, according to "Engineering and Technology".
A study conducted by the Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials of the National Research Council of Italy found that polyester clothes shed up to 4,000 fibers per gram when washed, and up to 400 fibers per gram when worn. Synthetic fabrics are one of the biggest microplastic polluters, and these fibers can pollute waterways and be consumed by marine animals, according to PBS News.
To avoid harming the environment and your health, look for clothes made of organic cotton, bamboo, linen or other natural materials. If cutting out all polyester clothing isn’t realistic, shopping for these garments second-hand helps save clothing from landfills and reduces your carbon footprint.
Microbead products
Several hygiene and beauty products, including face washes, makeup and skin exfoliators contain microbeads , or small plastic beads less than one millimeter in diameter.
Microbeads are advertised as exfoliants in personal care products, but they do not biodegrade and are too small to be caught by water treatment plants, so they often end up in waterways
To avoid polluting waterways with these tiny microplastics, students can shop for personal care products that are microbead-free. Brands with the “Zero Plastic Inside” label have been certified as free of microplastic ingredients.
Hygiene products in plastic containers
Nearly all shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body washes come packaged in plastic. According to Forbes, the United States beauty industry creates 7.9 billion units of plastic packaging every year, and most of these plastics are not recyclable because they have multiple layers and components.
Beauty products often contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and sulfates, which can act as hormone disruptors, according to Columbia University.
Switching to plastic-free alternatives, such as shampoo and soap bars, or shopping at low-waste beauty companies like Lush can reduce your environmental impact and improve your health. These companies use minimal or sustainable packaging and often take steps to reduce their environmental impact throughout all stages of the production process.
Microplastics are becoming harder to avoid completely, but students can mitigate their effects on the environment and their health by swapping everyday products for more environmentally friendly alternatives.