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MicroplasticsMicroplastics, or MPs, are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters long and have become one of Earth's most widespread pollutants. Like synthetic plastics, MPs are mostly made of long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms, formed by linking byproducts of refining crude oil and natural gas. Other chemical additives may be incorporated to modify the final product’s properties. Primary MPs, such as microbeads, are intentionally manufactured to be small. Secondary MPs, such as those released while washing synthetic textiles, form from the breakdown of larger plastics and make up the bulk of MPs in the environment. As of 2024, the FDA claims there is insufficient evidence that MPs pose any human health risk, though initial biochemical studies have linked them to inflammation and hormone disruption.Explore Microplastics

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Plastic debris across the ocean aids the spread of invasive speciesThe durable, long-lasting material can serve as a platform for living organisms to latch onto and ride over vast distances. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a large dock carrying 100 tons of living organisms native to Japan washed up on Oregon's coastline, confirming the ecological threat. VICE News The most common type of 3D printer fabricates objects using plasticAt the consumer level, the most common printing method is fused deposition modeling, which builds objects by melting an extruding thermoplastic filament that is deposited in layers. For industrial applications, selective laser sintering, which uses a laser to fuse particles of polymer powder (e.g., nylon), is preferred. Formlabs After swallowing 23 pieces of plastic, seabirds experience a 90% death rateResearchers found that this threshold is also met when marine mammals ingest 29 pieces and when sea turtles consume approximately 405 pieces. Almost half of the sea turtles, a third of the seabirds, and one in ten of the marine mammals studied had eaten plastic. BBC News Shrink-wrap is created through a treatment of plastic with high-speed electronsAtoms in polyethylene are bonded in long strings called polymer chains, which can be destabilized by removing hydrogen atoms via collisions with electrons. These gaps serve as bonding sites for neighboring chains to bond and undergo cross-linking, strengthening the plastic while making it more malleable. Tedium Henry Ford built a plastic car from soybeans in 1941To pursue his goal of marrying industry with agriculture, among other reasons, the automobile giant oversaw the design and creation of a vehicle with 12 panels made from plastic. At 2,000 pounds, the car was much lighter than all-steel ones, but production stopped during World War II. The Henry Ford BPA-free plastics often contain other harmful 'forever chemicals'These molecules are widely used in single-use plastics, may leach into food, resist breakdown, and can build up in the human body. They have been linked to obesity, heart disease, and neurological issues, particularly when heated. Insider Science Nanoplastics can bypass the blood-brain barrier and may harm the nervous systemNanoplastics are formed from the breakdown of microplastics and can breach cells. Their large surface area relative to size allows them to carry higher concentrations of forever chemicals than the surrounding environment into sensitive organs. It's Complicated Most biodegradable plastics don’t break down in everyday conditionsDespite their eco-friendly name, biodegradable plastics often require industrial composting, which most areas lack, to decompose the uncommon compounds found in them. This means they may linger in landfills or contaminate conventional plastics in recycling bins. The New York Times Plastic's history began with an inventor seeking a $10,000 prize offerIn 1869, the first synthetic polymer—celluloid—was created as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls. It became the historical catalyst for the eventual manufacturing of plastics everywhere as an alternative to the depletion of other natural resources, including tortoiseshell and horns. Science History Institute The prevalence of microplastics came from plastic’s affordability and versatilityMicroplastics' durability and overuse have led to massive pollution that overwhelms the planet's ecosystems. Avian, terrestrial, and marine life have been observed to contain microplastics in their bodies, but reverting to paper, cotton, and other materials in manufacturing also brings environmental challenges. Kurzgesagt Japanese scientists develop an eco-friendly plastic that dissolves in saltwaterThe strong and flexible plastic is made from molecules held together by saltwater-sensitive chemical bonds. The components left after the plastic breaks down within hours contain phosphorus and nitrogen, allowing them to serve as soil fertilizer. ZME Science Plastivores are plastic-eating microbes that may provide a solution to plastic wasteIdeonella sakaiensis, a bacterium found in recycling plant sludge in 2016, was the first organism seen to possess enzymes that could break down PET, a type of plastic. Researchers continue to search and try to bioengineer microbes that can digest other plastic types. TED-Ed A UN-led treaty may establish rules to phase out plastic globallyWith support from more than 175 nations, a treaty led by the United Nations is being negotiated to establish enforceable global rules for plastic production and pollution by 2025. Negotiations come as the total amount of plastic in the ocean has increased by 50% from 2017 to 2022. World Wildlife Fund More than 130 nations have enacted bans or restrictions on plastic itemsSeveral US states have enacted similar restrictions on plastic bags, straws, food containers, and other single-use plastics, while others have prohibited plastic bans. Despite this, California’s plastic bag ban cut usage by more than 70%, showing the potential of these policies. Solinatra Mermaid tears are a lasting and hazardous form of ocean plastic pollutionAlso known as nurdles, these tiny plastic pellets are extremely difficult to remove once spilled. Their chemical composition, which enhances absorption, causes them to contain higher concentrations of certain toxins than the surrounding environment. Newsweek Plastics don’t biodegrade because their chemical bonds are unnatural to microbesDespite coming from petroleum, which itself comes from organic material, synthetic plastic was not mass-produced until the mid-20th century. Insufficient time has passed for microbes to develop the necessary enzymes to break it down naturally. Live Science Plastic production starts with crude oil and ends with molded products via pelletsPolyethylene and other plastics are formed by combining ethylene and propylene, which are produced through refining crude oil. These plastics are formed into pellets called nurdles, which are melted and molded to manufacture countless products. Factora Microplastics are everywhere and pose growing risks to wildlife and ecosystemsThese tiny plastic particles come from intentionally small items and the breakdown of larger plastic debris, ending up in soil, air, and water. A study of 37 US National Park beaches found microfibers at every site, making up 97% of all microplastic debris. NOAA Synaptic plasticity allows neurons to communicate effectively and form memoriesFirst proposed in 1949, synaptic plasticity allows the brain to adjust communication strength between neurons. This ability to change synaptic strength—either briefly or over long periods—is essential for learning and memory, with long-term synaptic plasticity forming the basis of how memories are stored. University of Queensland Andy Warhol’s 'Exploding Plastic Inevitable' shows were multimedia performance artIf you wandered into one of Andy Warhol’s "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" events in the 1960s, you might have encountered a Velvet Underground performance, go-go dancers, strobe lights, guerrilla filmmakers asking very personal questions, and mimes. Warhol was on the cutting edge of many art forms, and performance art was no exception. The Andy Warhol Museum The amount of plastic chemicals in 300 everyday Bay Area foodsFood production is more complicated than it appears, and manufacturing, packaging, and shipping processes can add significant substances to your food. This massive project compiled data on 300 samples of foods delivered to the San Francisco area, testing for the presence of 18 different kind of plastic. Learn how to read the data here with its helpful guides and then explore the table yourself. PlasticList What percentage of the world’s plastic waste actually gets recycled?Despite growing awareness of the world’s plastic waste challenges, the numbers showing how much of the world’s plastic waste actually gets recycled are abysmal. Only 9% of the world’s plastic waste is properly recycled, and a significant portion remains landfilled, mismanaged, or incinerated. Read this article for further analysis of why this is and what can be done in the future to better manage plastic waste. Visual Capitalist The global plastic crisis in imagesFor decades we have relied on plastics to keep us safe, insulate our homes, and make sure our food stays fresh. But when does plastic’s life come to an end? United Nations Here's how the seven types of plastics fare in the recycling processTo help you make better-informed decisions about the products that you buy, here's a simple explanation of the seven different types of plastic, how they differ, and their impact on the environment. Plastics For Change Mapping plastic waste hotspots around the worldThis map shows the modeled plastic concentration based on measurements from 24 expeditions, with darker colors indicating more floating plastic debris. WWF Deutschland The percentage of plastic waste mismanaged by each global regionData, research, outlooks and country reviews on environment including biodiversity, water, resource and waste management, climate change, global warming and consumption. OECD Explore the UN’s interactive guide to global plastic pollutionAround the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while 500 billion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once—and then thrown away. UN Environment Programme Where the US’s plastic recycling is discardedThe US ships over a million tons of plastic waste overseas each year. A short video explainer from USA Today shows a breakdown of what really happens to America's recyclables. YouTube How chemical recycling could create 'infinite' plasticThe way we normally recycle plastics is a downward spiral of waste and degraded materials, but there is another option—turning plastic back into the oil it was made from. BBC How Big Oil misled the public into believing plastic would be recycledAn NPR and PBS Frontline investigation reveals how the oil and gas industry used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale. NPR How existing technology could prevent nearly 80% of plastic pollutionMore than 28 million tons of plastic enters the environment each year, where it harms animals and damages habitats. A study co-authored by researchers at The Pew Charitable Trusts found that this flow can be reduced by nearly 80% in the next 20 years using existing waste management and recycling technology. The Pew Charitable Trusts How plastic manufacturing could be sustainable againFrom polymers to nurdles, learn how plastic is created and what we can do to slow the lasting repercussions this material will have on both our planet and our lives. National Geographic Society Using AI to track plastic pollution in real timeExplore Global Plastic Watch, the first-ever, near-real-time, high-resolution map of plastic pollution. Global Plastic Watch uses advanced satellite data technology and machine learning to measure piles of plastic waste from space. Global Plastic Watch Visualizing the enormity of plastic waste compared to global landmarksThe team at Reuters Graphics visualizes the world’s addiction to plastic bottles. Around the world, almost 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. The illustrations included in this visual explainer show what that pile of plastic would look like if it was collected over longer periods of time and how large the piles would be compared to famous landmarks. Reuters Explore the 'United States of Plastic' seriesDig deeper about America's plastic use, waste, and more through a collection of stories from The Guardian. The Guardian The history of natural and synthetic plasticsFrom cheap toys to woolly jumpers, plastic can be found in more products than many people realize. From a chemist's perspective all these things are made of the same class of materials: Polymers. And the distinction between which ones we happen to call "plastics" and which ones we don't is fairly arbitrary. BBC A step-by-step guide to the plastic recycling processEverything you wanted to know about how plastic is recycled, the companies that collect and recycle plastic, where you can recycle, and much more. British Plastics Federation A guide to avoiding single-use plasticsHere’s everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: single-use plastics, the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes NRDC Countries tried to curb plastic waste, but the US keeps shipping moreData show that American exporters continue to ship plastic waste overseas, often to poorer countries, even though most of the world has agreed to not accept it. The New York Times A guide to single-use plastic bans across the USOver 100 cities and municipalities in the US have banned Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in government facilities including New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego and Miami Beach, Florida. Here, maps illustrate what US states have bans in place. Footprint Foundation The recycling failures that the plastic industry is hidingIf the plastics industry is following the tobacco industry’s playbook, it may never admit to the failure of plastics recycling. The Atlantic Where does your plastic go? A global investigation reveals America's plastic secretA Guardian report from 11 countries tracks how US waste makes its way across the world – and overwhelms the poorest nations. The Guardian Track where your plastic trash will be in 20 yearsThis map illustrates the fate of floating plastic 20 years from now. Simply add a location of choice and see the journey unfold. The Ocean Cleanup Charting the origins of plastic's global conquestA deep dive on the history of cheap plastic and how it has unleashed a flood of consumer goods. Scientific American How billiard balls catalyzed the 'Plastics Century'For centuries, billiard balls were made of ivory from elephant tusks. But when excessive hunting caused elephant populations to decline, they began to look for alternatives: celluloid, which would become known as the first plastic. YouTube American Express was the first company to offer 'gold' cards to borrowersAmerican Express began offering gold cards to affluent consumers in 1966. However, other credit card companies began offering similar, premium cards in the 1980s, which quickly became a status symbol for wealthy Americans. TIME 25 million pounds of beads are distributed every Mardi Gras, leading to environmental concernsThe necklaces—which are mostly made from cheap, often toxic, plastic—are believed to be harmful to New Orleans and its residents. Dr. Howard Mielke, an environmental scientist at Tulane University, found that the majority of lead in the city's soil can be found along Mardi Gras parade routes. The Conversation 3D printing has made musical instruments more accessibleViolins fabricated from durable plastic, rather than being built from wood, can cost hundreds of dollars less, allowing children to try them out without financial pressure. They can be made in colors that appeal to children, sizes tailored to their bodies, and with tactile guides to help visually impaired learners. Strings Magazine See how artificial Christmas trees are madeModern artificial Christmas trees are built from bent steel frames and PVC plastic. The plastic is cut into strips and shredded to mimic the needles of an evergreen tree. See the factory process of these mass-produced holiday mainstays. How It's Made Washing clothes is a significant source of global microfiber pollutionSynthetic fabrics shed millions of plastic microfibers during washing, which pass through wastewater treatment and end up in oceans, soil, and food chains. A single wash load can release several million microfibers, but washing with cold water can reduce this. The Conversation

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