Did you know that Indonesia is one of the countries that consume the highest microplastics out of 109 countries?
Reporting from CNBC Indonesia, the Indonesian people consume the most from marine life such as marine fish.
In addition, industrialization also contributes to increasing the consumption of microplastics. We may not be aware that every day we also inhale microplastics without realizing it.
Microplastics are a small threat that has a big impact when it comes to plastic pollution around the world.
It is important to understand the impact of microplastics on the environment so that we can take concrete steps to reduce this pollution.
Definition of Microplastics
Microplastics are very small plastic particles, generally less than 5 mm in size, that come from a variety of sources such as consumer products, industrial waste, and greater plastic degradation.
Despite their small size, the impact of microplastics on the environment is huge and unsettling.
Since its discovery in the environment in the mid-20th century, microplastics have become one of the most difficult pollutants to tackle.
This is due to its very small shape so modern advanced technology is needed to overcome it.
It’s important to understand what microplastics are and their impact on the environment so that we can take steps to reduce this ever-growing pollution.
Sources of Microplastics
Microplastics come from a variety of sources, and are generally categorized into two types: primary microplastics and secondary microplastics.
- Primary microplastics are plastic particles that are deliberately produced in small sizes, such as granules used in cosmetics, toothpaste, and other body care products. Synthetic fibers from clothes are also one of the main sources of primary microplastics, especially when washed.
- Secondary microplastics are formed from the degradation of larger plastics, such as plastic bags, water bottles, or other plastic utensils. When exposed to sunlight, water, and wind, this plastic breaks down into smaller particles and spreads out in the environment. Not only harming humans, microplastics are also “toxic” to the environment that roams freely.
These two types of microplastics finally make the impact of microplastics on the environment even more difficult to overcome.
Distribution of Microplastics in the Environment
The presence of microplastics itself is very easy to find, ranging from deep ocean waters to Arctic ice sheets because of their very easy distribution.
In Indonesia itself, according to the ITB blog, microplastics pollute river sediment, sediment on coral reefs, and the stomachs of fish which are very commonly consumed.
The impact of microplastics on the marine environment is significant, damaging marine ecosystems, and affecting the food chain which also has an impact on human health.
In the ocean, microplastics are widespread and pollute marine habitats, while on land, these particles can accumulate in agricultural land and natural ecosystems so that their presence appears to the naked eye.
Microplastic pollution also knows no geographical boundaries.
Microplastics have been found in the air we breathe, in drinking water, and even in the human food chain, making this problem even more urgent to address.
The Impact of Microplastics on the Environment
Microplastics have a significant impact on ecosystems both in the ocean and on land.
In the oceans, many marine animals are often victims of microplastics, which can lead to indigestion, death, and the accumulation of toxins in their bodies.
Other pollutants such as heavy metals can also attach to microplastics, which then enter the food chain, and end up being consumed by humans.
On land, microplastics can damage soil structures and disrupt the balance of nutrients in agricultural ecosystems.
The presence of large amounts of microplastics threatens the biodiversity and quality of our natural resources.
Reducing the impact of microplastics requires concrete action and consistent lifestyle changes.
One important step is to switch to non-plastic products that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Some alternatives include drawstring bags, bamboo cutlery, or biodegradable packaging.
Biodegradable-based products, such as paper or seaweed, need to be used more and more because of their many advantages over single-use plastics.
You can try products from BIOPAC which is processed from seaweed in a sustainable way as an alternative to plastic.
Not only that, you also help reduce the pile of plastic waste that cannot be reprocessed in landfills by using our products.
By understanding and being aware of the impact of microplastics on ecosystems, we can take collective action to keep the planet clean and healthy for future generations.
Let’s start now by reducing the use of plastic and switching to more sustainable products!