Plastic pollution can make individual action feel insignificant, but behavior changes matter when they become shared habits and are reinforced by policy. In San José, California, the shift away from single-use plastic bags led to clear reductions in litter across waterways, storm drains, and local businesses. Plastic bags found in creek and river litter surveys fell by 78%, while bags in storm drain inlets dropped by 69%. Retail behavior also changed with average bag use at businesses declining by 94%.

Buenos Aires, Argentina saw similar gains from efforts to reduce disposable bags and plastic straws. Between 2017 and 2018, the city kept 1 billion plastic bags out of circulation. Those changes cut plastic bag waste by about 2,750 tons per year and eliminated another 77 tons of straw waste annually.

Plastic-free choices have the greatest impact when they become part of daily life. Carrying a reusable bottle can cut down on disposable plastic throughout the day. Bringing a tote bag or container can make reuse easier during errands and meals. Over time, these small choices can reduce waste, shift demand, and make plastic-free living feel normal. The challenge is turning that first good intention into a habit that lasts.

Durable behavior change often begins with how we see ourselves. A goal like “I want to stop using plastic straws” becomes more powerful when it reflects a deeper internal identity: “I am someone who lives more sustainably.” That quiet shift can change plastic-free choices from one-time efforts into expressions of who we are trying to become. It matters because habits are easier to keep when they feel aligned with our self-perception and the way we move through daily life.

Behavioral science offers a practical way to turn that identity into action. Habits form through a loop: a cue triggers a craving, the craving motivates a response, and the response produces a reward that reinforces the behavior. Plastic-free habits stick more easily when the cue is easy to notice and the choice feels appealing. They are even more likely to last when the action is simple to repeat and the reward feels satisfying.

You can design and integrate that loop of plastic-free habits into your daily routine. Place reusable bags by the doors so you remember them before leaving home. Keep utensils in your backpack or work bag so they are ready when you need them. A refillable bottle is easier to grab when it sits near your keys, and food containers are more accessible when they are stored where you usually pack lunch.

Choose reusable items you actually enjoy using and are easy to carry, store, and bring into your everyday activities. To keep the habits going, find simple ways to make your progress visible like a checklist or sharing your journey with your friends. A small reward, such as a tasty treat after a plastic-free day, can make the habit more satisfying and help reinforce the behavior. The goal is to remove friction until the better choice becomes the automatic one.

Plastic-free living also becomes easier when it is supported by the people around us. Family, friends, classmates, coworkers, and neighbors can remind one another to bring reusable items, refuse unnecessary plastic, and celebrate small wins. Even simple gifts, such as metal straws, tote bags, or matching water bottles, can invite others into the habit and help build a more sustainability-minded community.

Start by identifying yourself as someone who lives more sustainably, then turn that identity into practical swaps you can repeat all month. Choose something specific, visible, and realistic enough to become part of your routine. The swap ideas below can help you find a starting point, from carrying a refillable bottle or reusable bag to switching to loose-leaf tea, bar shampoo, or plastic-free laundry products. Once you choose your swap, build a habit loop around it: create a clear cue, make the choice appealing, keep it easy, and reward yourself when you follow through.

On the Go

• Plastic water bottles → Carry a refillable bottle
• Plastic shopping bags → Bring a tote bag
• Plastic straws → Skip the straw, or use a reusable one
• Disposable coffee cups → Bring a reusable cup
• Takeout cutlery → Pack a reusable set, or ask to leave it out

In the Kitchen

• Plastic produce bags → Use mesh bags, or buy loose produce
• Plastic wrap → Use beeswax wraps or lidded containers
• Single-use storage bags → Choose reusable bags or containers
• Plastic condiment bottles → Buy glass jars when available
• Plastic-wrapped snacks → Buy in bulk, or make your own

In the Bathroom

• Plastic toothbrushes → Try a bamboo toothbrush
• Disposable razors → Use a safety razor
• Bottled shampoo and body wash → Switch to bars or refills
• Plastic-stemmed cotton swabs → Choose paper-stemmed or reusable versions
• Wet wipes → Use washable cloths

The Sneaky Ones

• Chewing gum → Choose plastic-free brands
• Tea bags → Use loose-leaf tea
• Glitter and microbeads → Check labels for plastic ingredients
• Synthetic clothing → Use a microfiber-catching bag or filter
• Laundry pods → Choose plastic-free laundry powder, tablets, or refill options

Take the Plastic Detox Pledge! Pick one item, commit to quitting it for the month, and make the challenge more fun by bringing others with you. Invite a friend, classmate, coworker, or neighbor to swap tips, celebrate progress, and build plastic-free habits together. Make it official by snapping a photo of your swap and tagging #PlasticFreeJuly and #EndPlastics.

One month. One swap. One habit that can keep plastic out of our lives, our communities, and our planet.

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As we head into the holiday season and all the over consumption that can trigger in some parts of the world, it’s important to recognize that our buying habits directly feed the plastic pollution crisis.  Because practically every new product carries a plastic footprint through its plastic packaging, production, and shipping. By choosing to buy less, or skip impulse purchases altogether, we can reduce the amount of plastic entering our environment and even our own bodies.

That is because so much of the food we eat has come into contact with plastics, from plastic-coated fertilizers and mulches used in farming, to the packaging around your sandwich or the plastic lining in canned foods. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2019, the global food system relied on over 12.5 million tonnes of plastic in agricultural production alone and another 37.3 million tonnes in food packaging – that’s the same as encasing the Earth’s equator in plastic wrap over 112,000 times! 

The modern food industry relies on plastic at every stage.  The issue is that all plastics, be it in the food industry or any other industry, in the end breaks down, shedding microplastics which are about the size of a grain of rice or smaller.

Tiny Plastics Particles Are a Problem

As a result these microplastics are now found everywhere: in our oceans, rivers, soil, the air we breathe, and yes, in the food we eat! 

Here’s how – plastic can be ingested by animals, eventually entering the human food chain via seafood, livestock, and crops. Research has shown that marine organisms, such as shrimp and fish for example, ingest microplastics from the ocean. In fact a study in 2024, by the Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto, found microplastics in nearly nine out of ten protein samples. This included animal proteins, such as beef, pork, seafood, chicken, as well as plant-based options. It’s not just protein, studies have found leafy and root vegetables absorb microplastics from contaminated soil and water too. 

Microplastics can enter our bodies when we consume contaminated foods. Researchers estimate that adults in the United States may ingest nearly 4 million microplastic particles per year from protein sources alone.  Highly processed foods tend to contain more microplastics than raw or minimally processed items, making diet choice an important factor in exposure.

These microplastics  can leach a cocktail of toxi plastic chemicals into our bodies. While scientists are still studying the long-term health effects of this plastic exposure, these toxic substances are linked to a large range of human health issues, from Alzheimer’s, infertility, some cancers. How did we end up in this plastic mess?

Farming and Plastics

Plastic has silently invaded the global food system. Beginning on our farms, from plastic wraps over mulch and fodder to polytunnels, irrigation tubes, and microplastic coated fertilizers and seeds, it touches nearly every stage of crop production. Plastic mulching alone accounted for almost 40% of the global agriplastic market between 2013 and 2019. These plastics don’t just linger in the soil—they break down into microplastics that can leach harmful chemicals into the food we eat, quietly affecting human health and the environment long before the products reach our plates.

These materials promise benefits, such as reduced weed pressure, improved moisture retention, cost-effectiveness, and pest protection.Yet they come with hidden costs: As of 2016, 40-50% of the plastic used in farming processes has soil and plant debris on it meaning that it is rarely recycled. And instead is likely burned, buried or landfilled. Additionally, plastic film breaks down into microplastics that contaminate the soil, which end up in our food.

While there may be gaps in our knowledge on just how much plastic is in our soil,  U.S farms that use plastic sheets for mulching have 75% higher microplastic concentration in their soil than farms who don’t use these plastic sheets. So, even if the food these farms sell isn’t wrapped in plastic at the store, it might still contain plastic due to how it was produced. 

Processing, Packaging, and Distribution

But plastics don’t stop at the farm. During processing and packaging, food can absorb microplastics from equipment. 

Once packaged, single-use plastics dominate the global food system, enabling long-distance transport and extended shelf life. Which is why in 2016, roughly 50% of all fossil fuel–based plastics were used for food packaging alone. The same properties that make these plastics so useful, durability, flexibility, and moisture resistance, also make them non-biodegradable, and contribute to the growing plastic pollution crisis.

Plastic additives chemicals like phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are all used to make food packaging. Phthalates are commonly found in soft plastics and cling wraps, BPA in hard plastics and food can linings, and PFAs in non-stick coatings, greaseproof paper, and waterproof packaging. 

Storing our food in this packaging can cause yet more plastic to leach into our meals.   Especially under heat, light, or prolonged storage, plastic chemicals from packaging can leach into the food we eat. Many of these chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors and have been linked to adverse health issues, such as infertility, obesity, and development issues. In effect, the very chemicals designed to preserve and protect our food may quietly be harming our health.

More plastic in the form of stretch and bubble wrap, liners, and insulation are then used to secure and refrigerate food shipments and studies have found that microplastics from these materials can travel in the air, entering food packaging environments, long before they even reach consumers. So, not only are these plastic pallets, wraps, and containers thrown away after each shipment, adding to the global waste problem, but they are also putting workers in the food industry at risk.

Plus, only 13.6% of all of the plastic packaging generated in 2018 was recycled.Then the vast majority end up in landfill where it breaks down into microplastics and contaminates the soil all over again. 

Solutions: Rethinking Food Systems Beyond Plastic

Addressing plastic pollution in the food industry requires serious action at every stage.

Introducing innovative, sustainable replacements like bioplastics and compostable materials into the modern food system could boost the recycling rates of food packaging by 22% to 64%, depending on the scenario. 

Farmers must phase out plastic mulches and coated fertilizers by switching to safer materials and ingredients. In distribution, reusable pallets and insulated containers can help reduce microplastics from entering the environment. 

There are also plenty of alternatives to plastic packaging and household food containers, such as compostable packaging, silicone kitchen utensils, glass containers, beeswax wraps, and even zero waste grocery stores. 

EARTHDAY.ORG is calling for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040, and you can help: find a cleanup near you on our Great Global Cleanup Map, sign our Global Plastic Treaty Petition against plastic pollution, and always choose reusable and sustainable alternatives when you shop.  Next time you unwrap a plastic-packaged snack or bite a packet of plastic wrapped chicken, remember the long, plastic-filled journey this food took before it got to you and maybe find healthier alternatives!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Say hello to the mushroom. You have probably met already. The word mushroom refers to fleshy fungus fruiting structures (try saying that five times fast) which can have both culinary and pharmaceutical uses. Mushrooms are undoubtedly popular pizza toppings and feature in a whole range of dishes but they also can be potent poisons, medicinal compounds, and an all-around superfood. Some mushrooms are even being used to create bio-construction materials! 

This fantastic fungus is known to have a wide range of uses and scientists have long studied both the negative and positive effects of mushrooms. While people have munched on mushrooms for eons, according to an article published in the Journal of Fungi in 2022 some mushrooms may be able to do some munching of their own…on plastics!

Plastic pollution continues to contribute to a global crisis affecting all life on Earth. One of the major problems with plastics is that they’re extremely toxic and persistent. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” have become integrated into the world’s food and water supply. Roughly 460 million metric tons of plastic waste is estimated to have been produced around the world in 2024. Plastics are choking people and the planet.

Digging Deeper

Mushrooms are a powerful potential ally in tackling the problem of plastic pollution and waste. The term bioremediation refers to the ability of microorganisms to safely break down organic and inorganic contaminants in the environment. Certain types of microbes are capable of consuming and converting various types of waste and pollutants. Bioremediation is already being used in conjunction with other processes to combat the toxic effects of oil spills. Mushrooms have also shown great potential in conjunction with other bioremediation efforts. So, if you’re not already a fan of this fabulous fungi, then this is a great reason to be!

Pestalotiopsis microspora, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Schizophyllum commune are three top tier contenders for the title of best bioremediator. Pestalotiopsis microspora is a type of endophytic fungus discovered in the Amazon rainforest which contains bacteria that scientists since 2011 have argued can biodegrade and break down synthetic plastic polymers. It can survive in both oxygenated and oxygen-free environments, which makes it an ideal candidate for tackling compacted plastic-laden landfills.

Power-Up and Join the Fight Against Plastics

Plastics are in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Dangerous microplastics are in our own bodies, and some scientists are arguing that “we’re born pre-polluted”. Plastics aren’t just polluting wildlife, soil, air, oceans, and drinking water…they’re polluting our bodies, too. Effective recycling and renewable resources present additional strategies to combat and reduce plastic waste, but this isn’t enough. Plastics do long-lasting damage to the environment, and it’s easier to produce them than it is to destroy them.

Mushrooms can potentially pack a punch against plastics, but they aren’t a singular solution to the problems plastics pose to the planet. Without real change and action, like drastically reducing plastic production and pivoting to  sustainable alternatives, these are stopgap measures. As a planet, we need to do much more. One way you can join the fight against plastic production is to join us at EARTHDAY.ORG! Learn more about our efforts and how you can help with our Earth Day campaign, End Plastics. Sign the petition for the Global Plastics Treaty, develop environmental consciousness, and learn more about how you can help keep our planet clean!

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After hours of a grueling hike on the side of a snowcapped mountain, I had finally made it to the Hidden Lake Lookout at the Edge of the North Cascades National Park in Washington. The peak we found ourselves at was surrounded by an endless view of mountains as far as the eye could see. For someone living in the swamps of Florida, where the highest mountains are literally the trash dumps, the view was overwhelmingly beautiful.

The view of the hidden lake from the summit was incredible. The deep blue water was motionless at the bottom of the valley, framed by rocks, ice, and scattered evergreen trees. Deep in the national park, this stunning lake looked untouched and pristine from the pollution and chaos of the rest of the world. 

But even this far away from civilization, I saw what I never seem able to escape: plastic. Specifically, a plastic sandwich clamshell.

I’m sure it was left behind by a hiker who was not ill-meaning, but unfortunately, with the amount of plastic we use and are inundated with everyday in our lives, it’s almost impossible not to even accidentally leave behind plastic bread crumbs wherever we go, no matter how far away. 

Hiking in the Cascades and with World Cleanup Day  just around the corner on September 20th, I can’t help but think about the natural wonders we have in the United States. Our national parks are the true jewels of our nation, and something we should not only be proud of, but something we should be actively protecting. I’ve traveled around the world doing cleanup work and picking up trash wherever I go, but I can’t help but be captivated by the sheer beauty that the United States offers. As an environmentalist, I feel the need to act to protect these special places whenever I can.

In my opinion, our national parks, of which there are 63, are perhaps the best idea we’ve ever had.

The very first national park ever created in the world was Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park in 1879, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. This special place was designated “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Since the inception of Yellowstone, globally, more than 100 other nations have set aside land for over 1,200 national parks, inspired by the U.S. model. 

Theodore Roosevelt: The Godfather of National Parks

Theodore Roosevelt, known as the ‘conservationist president’, doubled the number of national parks in the United States, adding 230 million acres of protected land, and left a legacy with the Antiquities Act of 1906. This gave presidents the authority to protect landmarks and landscapes without waiting for Congress. 

Roosevelt protected vast swaths of land not only for public enjoyment and use, but also for wildlife, biodiversity and for the nation’s environmental health. 

Roosevelt’s legacy is celebrated by many of us today, but during his time, he was heavily criticized and his efforts were often met with ardent opposition – largely from political opponents, and industry and business leaders, who saw his reach to protect millions of acres of land, as being in direct opposition to economic growth through the expansion of logging, mining, and ranching. 

But Roosevelt spent time in nature, throughout the U.S., and he inherently understood the importance of protecting some of our nation’s forests and wild places. As Roosevelt expressed in 1908, the rights of the public to enjoy and access these natural resources outweighed everything else and therefore had to be given first consideration. 

His visionary approach is perhaps best showcased in his journal, written during his first visit to the Badlands of South Dakota: “We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields and obstructing navigation.” 

It’s impossible not to assume that Roosevelt would have been shocked at how quickly our leaders have forgotten this sentiment and now seem to regard the wilderness of our nation as merely a vast commodity.  

Deforestation has swept across the United States, while our rivers are choked with pollutants and fertilizers — most notably the Mississippi, which has created a yearly “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico that suffocates the fish living there. On top of that, the world produces more than 400 million tonnes of plastic every year, half of it designed for single use, much of which ends up littering our streets, oceans, rivers, beaches, and green spaces.

The Threat to our National Parks

Today, we face a similar fight to protect the legacy of the conservationists who travelled before us. Microplastics have invaded every corner of our Earth, from our national parks to our bloodstream; they are inside our children, our food, our homes, and even our hearts. Their chemicals are known endocrine disruptors with links to cancer, strokes, infertility, miscarriages, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and developmental issues. 

Plastic isn’t the only threat to our nation’s natural beauty. Today, the current administration has cut funding to the National Park Service, leading to a significant drop in the number of rangers employed to maintain the parks as well as limiting visitor capacity. At the same time, proposals to weaken the EPA’s Endangerment Finding would gut the EPA’s own ability to regulate greenhouse gases. Endangering not only the park, but the health of every American, while at the same time driving climate change. 

With World Cleanup Day here, we must continue to protect these incredible parks. Joining a cleanup is an easy way to prevent waste and plastic pollution from harming the environment and your own community. If plastic waste especially is not removed, it will eventually end up in the oceans, forests and waterways that most of us love. Check out the Global Cleanup Map to find a cleanup happening near you, or create your own, not just for September 20th, but all year round. 

Perhaps more importantly, get outside and visit a national park. Only then will you fully understand why Roosevelt fought so hard to create them, and why we must too. While you’re there, pick up any plastic you happen to see lying on the ground please! 

Protecting our national parks is the responsibility of every American. Not just for our own health and well-being, but for all future generations who deserve to see, experience and enjoy this amazing country as Roosevelt did. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is NOT cleared for use . Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post Plastics in Paradise: Protecting Our National Parks appeared first on Earth Day.

We are drowning in plastic. Every year, the world produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic, and numbers are expected to double or triple by 2050, much of it discarded after a single use. 

Despite growing public awareness of the devastating impacts— oceans clogged with plastic debris, landfills overflowing, microplastics invading our bodies, harming wildlife, and causing illness— the problem only worsens. Plastic pollution continues to escalate exponentially, driven by our overwhelming reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastics. With less than 10% effectively recycled, much plastic still leaks into the environment, causing irreversible damage to ecosystems and human health. 

The data leaves no doubt: the tidal wave of plastics is a mounting crisis that demands urgent global action before it irreversibly chokes our planet. 

Many promote reusable bags and recycling as solutions. Yet in reality, producing recycled plastic costs more than making virgin plastics, demand is relatively low, most plastics aren’t recyclable, and there isn’t enough infrastructure to recycle them anyway.

But there’s a new way that industry can cheat the system— it’s called plastic offsets— and it is worryingly gaining ground. As with carbon offsets, plastic offsets provide a convenient way for companies and individuals to claim environmental progress— by paying for plastic cleanup efforts without actually reducing plastic use. Sustainability goals are now widely expected of businesses, though less so in the U.S. for obvious reasons, and they remain a major priority globally. As a result, many are exploring this strategy to claim net-zero plastic targets, despite continuing practices that contribute to the problem. 

However, just like carbon offsets, plastic offsets have sparked much debate. Critics argue that they are misleading, ineffective, and aren’t getting to the source of the issue.  As plastic offsets gain traction, it’s time to take a closer look: Can they lead to real reductions or are they just a distraction that allows companies to delay meaningful action?

Purchasing Plastic Offsets

The plastic credit market is just four years old, with no universally accepted definitions, standards, or regulations. The World Bank defines a plastic credit as “a transferable unit representing a specific quantity of plastic that is avoided from use, collected and managed, or recycled.” These credits fund various plastic removal projects, such as land and ocean cleanups, landfill diversion, and both mechanical and chemical recycling.

Before offsetting begins, companies must first assess their plastic footprint, accounting for plastic across the entire supply chain from production to disposal. Once the footprint is measured, companies purchase plastic credits directly from a project developer or, more commonly, through third-party crediting standards. 

Third-party crediting standards are often presented as more trustworthy because they have defined methodologies, independent verification, and public registries. But even these systems vary widely in quality, and transparency is far from guaranteed. 

The Very Minimal Benefits

Plastic credits present a relatively simple and scalable opportunity for companies to offset their waste, especially for those struggling to reduce plastic use at the source. They offer an opportunity for early-stage sustainability efforts, while longer-term solutions are developed which address the root causes of plastic pollution. 

The plastic offsetting framework also works to create economic opportunity for marginalized groups. Plastic reduction projects aim to provide a sustainable income to low-income communities and improve working conditions by enforcing safety protocols and stronger labor standards into local waste management systems.

Many plastic crediting standards publicize their plastic accounting methodologies. This information can then be used by other plastic pollution initiatives to improve their reporting. If widely adopted, these methods could improve data on plastic waste and fill gaps in the supply chain, yet still, inconsistencies across programs continue to limit the comparability and credibility of the system. 

The Very Serious and Multiple Criticisms

Much like carbon credits, plastic offsets are steeped in controversy— and for good reason. Critics argue that plastic credits mask the problem rather than solving it, and many dismiss the process altogether. 

A central concern is that plastic credits don’t address the root issue of the plastic crisis, and instead act as a temporary bandaid. By allowing companies to offset waste without changing how products are designed, produced, or managed, credits risk enabling a business-as-usual approach while creating an illusion of sustainability. 

Another common criticism, mirroring that of carbon offsets, is additionality. Plastic reduction projects must be additional, meaning they would not have occurred without the financial incentive provided by the offset. Yet experts doubt whether these projects are actually “additional” and research shows that many projects began years before the plastic credits were even introduced. 

A further concern is the risk of double counting. This occurs when a plastic credit is claimed by more than one entity, including project developers, governments, or the company purchasing credits. This can happen by accident, but is also done deliberately by companies for financial gain. Double counting invalidates the credibility of the plastic offset market, leading to inflated impact claims that greenwash consumers. 

To make matters worse, there is also debate as to whether the plastic reduction projects themselves are even legitimate. An investigation into the two leaders in the plastic credit market, Verra and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), reveal various unsettling findings. These companies’ plastic reduction projects involve the burning of plastics in cement kilns, which releases toxic emissions and undermines the environmental benefits of plastic collection. In fact, 86% of PCX’s credits and 22% of Verra’s are linked to incineration. 

It is also important to note that while companies like Verra have implemented the Plastic Waste Reduction Standard in an effort to address these issues, global standards for plastic offsets still remain a major hurdle. In practice, each organization follows its own protocols, leading to inconsistent governance across the market. Without a clear and consistent framework, processes like credit verification, tracking, and enforcement remain unreliable. 

The Road Ahead for Plastic Offsets Is a Dead End

Plastic offsets, in their current form, fall short of solving the plastic pollution crisis and will go nowhere to reducing our plastic crisis. Despite being attractive to companies as a way to decrease their plastic footprint, they offer only a blatantly superficial alternative to tackling the root issue: reducing plastic production.

The plastic credit system has failed to deliver meaningful results. Despite its growing popularity, it suffers from weak oversight, loose standards, and harmful disposal practices that limit real impact. 

EARTHDAY.ORG believes that reducing plastic production remains the most powerful step towards change. And while offsets may one day offer meaningful support, they are not a substitute for action at the source. That’s why we invite you to sign the Global Plastics Treaty, helping us demand stricter plastic legislation and global cooperation to hold corporations accountable.

If you care about the environment, and are in the U.S., we need your voice. Add your name to our public comments on the EPA’s intentions to gut the agency’s ability to regulate pollution due to climate change, also known as the Endangerment Finding.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Plastic may be convenient, but the microplastics they shed have far-reaching environmental and health consequences. 

Each year, over 430 million tons of plastic are produced globally, and two-thirds of the plastics produced are short-lived single use plastic products, which we use for minutes and throw away.  While around 40% of all plastics produced are specifically for packaging. 

Today, plastics are everywhere. Our plastic trash ends up in landfills, oceans, and even in our bodies as we ingest and inhale microplastics from our food, water and air. Moreover, many plastic products we use in our own kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms are the routes that most infect us with these tiny plastic particles and their additive chemicals. 

Microplastics, and the toxic chemicals used to make them have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurotoxicity, and cancers. As research continues to uncover the harmful effects of plastic pollution, Plastic Free July is the perfect opportunity to audit your home, make conscious swaps, and send a message to manufacturers and policymakers that we want a healthier and plastic free future. 

Here are 12 common plastic items you likely have in your home right now that are harming your health and the planet – and alternatives you can use instead.

1. Plastic Food Storage Containers 

Old or scratched plastic containers can leach bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics directly into your food. 

These chemicals leach more when there’s heat involved, like when you use so-called plastic friendly containers in microwaves or when the food you store in your containers are fatty or acidic. The longer your food is in contact with plastic and the harsher the conditions, the higher the risk of plastic migration.

Black plastics, fast food packaging, takeout containers, and “microwave-safe” plastics also contain special chemical coatings and additives that weren’t designed with long-term human health impacts in mind.

So ditch the plastics and instead, use glass, stainless steel, or platinum-grade silicone containers for food storage.

2. Plastic Wrap and Sandwich Bags

We have produced enough plastic to wrap the entire earth in plastic cling film.  These thin plastics are made from polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), both of which are soft, flexible plastics that again can leach harmful chemicals, especially when heated or in contact with oily or acidic food. These plastic films are rarely recycled and frequently end up in the trash bin. 

Plastic wrap and sandwich bags are marketed as convenient tools to keep food fresh longer by sealing out air and moisture. While they may offer short-term preservation, research shows that they don’t always prevent our food from wastnig effectively, especially compared to sustainable alternatives like beeswax wraps, silicone pouches, cloth sandwich wraps, or a glass container.

And let’s not forget the humble brown paper bag!

3. Plastic Toothbrushes

Over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the U.S. alone. Made from plastic nylon bristles and polypropylene handles, they basically never biodegrade. Most are nearly impossible to recycle due to their mixed materials and small size, so they nearly always end up in landfills, incinerators, or oceans once we are done with them. 

Instead, try a bamboo toothbrush or use an electric brush with replaceable heads.

4. Plastic Water Bottles

Over 481 billion plastic water bottles are thrown out every year globally.  93% of bottled water contains detectable microplastic particles and one liter of bottled water contains 240,000 microplastic particles.

Not only are single-use water bottles a major contributor to plastic pollution, but they also leach chemicals like antimony and bisphenols into your water, and into you when you drink from the bottles.  Why not carry a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle and make refilling from your tap your go to money saving habit instead?

5. Styrofoam 

Styrofoam, made from polystyrene (#6 plastic), is commonly used for disposable cups, plates, 

and takeout containers due to its lightweight, insulating properties and low cost.

However, it is a notorious source of styrene, which has been labeled as a probable human carcinogen. It’s non-recyclable in most places and breaks apart into toxic microplastics. These fragments persist in the environment for thousands of years. Ditch the styrofoam and use reusable ceramic and bamboo dishware instead, or compostable paper options.

6. Plastic Cooking Utensils

Plastic spatulas and spoons are typically made from nylon, polypropylene, or polyamide, which breaks down under high temperatures, especially when stirring hot oil, sautéing vegetables, or flipping food in a skillet. This degradation releases microplastics and chemical additives like flame retardants, plasticizers, and color stabilizers into your food. 

All of which are known or suspected endocrine disruptors. According to one study, plastic cookware contributes thousands of microplastics into the human diet each year. Again bamboo, wood, or stainless steel cooking utensils are much more human health friendly.

7. Plastic Coffee Pods

Approximately 56 billion coffee pods end up in landfills globally each year.  Coffee pods may be convenient, but most are made from a mix of plastics and other materials like aluminium, making it difficult or impossible to recycle. The vast majority of these pods will end up in landfills. 

When exposed to high heat, these pods degrade and can release harmful compounds like BPA and phthalates, which are suspected carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Instead, use a french press or a drip brewer – It’s much cooler looking too!

8. Wet Wipes

Marketed as flushable or disposable, many wet wipes (like those used for cleaning or hygiene) are made with polyester or polypropylene, and don’t break down easily like toilet paper or paper towels in water. They contribute to ‘fatbergs’ (massive sewer blockages) and microplastic pollution in aquatic environments!

Consumers might ask, “If they’re labeled flushable, why shouldn’t I flush them?” The truth is that “flushable” is largely a marketing term with no standardized definition or regulation in many countries. Most wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to filter out these durable plastics, so flushing wipes does more harm than tossing them. Cloth wipes or paper-based wipes that are certified compostable are way better!

9. Plastic Sponges and Dish Scrubbers

Sponges are a household staple but they too shed microplastic fibers every time you scrub your dishes. These microplastics are rinsed down the drain and pass through water treatment facilities, many of which are not equipped to filter out the particles, allowing them to enter the environment. 

Many plastic sponges degrade quickly, and are infused with antimicrobial chemicals like triclosan, which can promote antibiotic resistance and leach into waterways. 

Instead, use natural loofahs, biodegradable cellulose sponges, or coconut fiber/wood pulp brushes. 

10. Plastic Shopping and Produce Bags

Plastic shopping bags often accumulate in homes as we receive them from stores. Most curbside recycling programs cannot handle plastic bags because they clog sorting machines and contaminate recycling streams. 

Even when collected at special drop-off locations, only a small fraction of these plastic bags will ever get recycled. The majority end up in landfills, waterways, or scattered across landscapes, where they slowly break into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and even the food we grow.  Reusable alternatives are still more sustainable in the long run – cloth tote bags, or mesh produce bags are both great.

11. Tea Bags with Plastic Sealants

Many modern tea bags are sealed with polypropylene, a thermoplastic that helps bags hold their shape in hot water. A study from McGill University found that a single tea bag can release over 11 billion microplastic particles and 3 billion nanoplastics into a cup. Pyramid-shaped tea bags are more likely to contain plastic and be made from plastic nylon bags.  Opt for loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel infuser, glass steeper, french press, or find brands that are labelled plastic-free tea bags.

12. Synthetic Clothing

Synthetic clothing made from materials like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex, is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution globally. Every time these garments are worn or washed, they shed tiny plastic fibers. They are responsible for up to 35% of microplastic pollution in oceans. A single load of laundry can release up to 700,000 microfibers, most of which pass through wastewater treatment plants and into the environment. Globally, 500,000 tons of microfibers are released into oceans every year through domestic clothes washing. 

These microfibers have been found in seafood, drinking water, and human lungs, posing a risk to respiratory health and the immune system.  Although clothing made from natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo, or wool still contain chemicals, they are the healthier and more biodegradable option. 

Why This Matters

While not everyone has equal access to plastic-free alternatives, reducing your plastic use doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. Small, simple changes where you can make a difference. Many swaps like using bar soap instead of bottled body wash, carrying a reusable bag, or switching to a stainless steel water bottle, can actually save you money over time. Traditional, more sustainable practices have also existed for centuries.

These alternatives are becoming increasingly accessible, and every small change helps shift the market by increasing demand for safer, more sustainable products. When more people opt out of single-use plastics, it normalizes a culture of reuse, encourages better corporate practices, and sends a powerful message to policymakers. If you have the ability to make these changes, doing so not only benefits your own health and wallet, it helps create a healthier future for everyone.

To learn more about the health and environmental impacts of plastics and how to take action to make a change visit our End Plastics page. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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The safety and sustainability of our food is a hot button issue right now, with alarming new studies finding microplastics in all of our proteins, including meat and shellfish, and increasingly frequent warnings about harmful food dyes in processed foods. Many of us are discovering that the rules about what Americans can eat are far more lax than they are elsewhere in the world. In Europe for example, many food dyes are banned. 

But it’s not just microplastics and dyes in our food that are major issues — intensive farming has degraded soil health and poisoned the environment with pesticides and fertilizer run-off, while energy and water-intensive farming practices have severely impacted biodiversity and further stressed drought-stricken areas. 

There’s a lot of information out there about what we’re putting on our plate, but there’s also a lot of misinformation — often pushed by companies hoping to influence your consumption habits, for better or worse. To help you sort out fact from fiction, we’ve put together an overview of topics ranging from the health risks of microplastic ingestion to ways you can support ethical and low-intensity food production. 

The Simple Genius of Good Soil

One of EARTHDAY.ORG’s major campaign areas is regenerative agriculture, something that sounds high brow but is essentially just about caring for our soil and farming in ways which harness natural processes in order to grow high quality food. 

Regenerative agriculture, a growing (no pun intended!) is an increasing area of focus within environmental science. It promotes no-till farming and clever grazing strategies which are less environmentally intensive than traditional large-scale agricultural operations. 

One of the key principles of regenerative agriculture is maintaining soil health. Healthy soil is not only fantastic at carbon storage, reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, healthier soil also allows more diverse and productive ecosystems to flourish, resulting in higher yields, better quality produce, and reduced spread of pests and diseases. 

One thing you can do to support regenerative agriculture is to buy certified organic food and ethically sourced products whenever possible. Some food labels actively promote regenerative practices too. A few reputable certification labels to look for in the grocery store include: Certified Naturally Grown, Fair-Trade Certified, and Non-GMO verified. For a complete list of food labels and what they mean, check out foodprint.org. 

If you want to learn more about regenerative agriculture, keep an eye out for Common Ground, a brand new documentary coming out on Earth Day, April 22, on Amazon Prime, that will fill you in on all of the ways that caring for our soil not only benefits us, but the entire planet.

Food to Dye For

Choosing organic and ethically-sourced items will also help you to avoid another hidden danger lurking in many processed foods: artificial colorants. Colorants are used in everything from candy and soda to lipstick and lotions, but while they give products an eye-catching color, these dyes often contain harmful chemicals. 

You may have heard about the most infamous of these, Red Dye No. 3, which was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1990 from being used in cosmetic products as it was found to cause cancer in rats. And yet, food continued to be fair game. 

On January 15, 2025, however, the FDA banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in all food products, requiring companies to start removing the dye from all of their products, beginning in early 2027. While this is a major step in getting these colorants out of our food, there are still 8 other synthetic dyes being used in FDA-approved products. 

So, for the time being, if food is processed and an unnaturally bright color, it might be wise to avoid it!

Plastic Food (No, Not the Fun Kind that Barbie Eats)

While the human body is an amazing thing, our internal systems are simply not designed to ingest plastic. So, it’s not only surprising but pretty concerning that there is growing evidence that we all are consuming it.

For more than 20 years, scientists have known about the tiny pieces of plastic, known as “microplastics,” that are produced as plastics begin to break down. But only in 2022, when microplastics were found in the human body for the first time, did researchers really begin to understand the health risks they pose. 

Studies have shown that, based on the amount of microplastics discovered in the air and in various food sources like bottled water, beer, seafood and red meat, the average person ingests up to 120,000 plastic particles a year. 

Research suggests the health implications of ingesting microplastics and their additive chemicals are particularly relevant to babies, both before and after birth. As part of its End Plastics Campaign, EARTHDAY.ORG published the report, Babies Vs. Plastic, which outlines the sources and risks of plastic contamination to human health, with a focus on babies and young children. 

But people of all ages are susceptible to plastic-related health issues. Some studies report finding associations between microplastics and specific cancers, as well as other diseases such as Alzheimer’s. A new study of heart patients undergoing plaque removal surgery found polyethylene microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in nearly 60% of patients, and concluded that the buildup of MNPs in their arteries made them much more susceptible to heart attacks, strokes and death. 

Clearly, we need to get plastics off the menu! There are a few easy ways to help reduce your microplastic intake by making simple changes to your diet. 

One way is to avoid eating too much red meat and shellfish. Studies have found that they contain high levels of microplastics, tiny plastic particles, though new evidence shows that microplastic can be found across all proteins, even including plant-based products. Some studies have found that leafy vegetables contain less microplastics than root vegetables, so opt to include them in your recipes.

Avoid buying “TV dinners” and other ready-made meals served in plastic trays and meant to be heated in the microwave or oven. When heating and microwaving your food in plastic containers, the heat causes the release of plastic chemicals, like BPA, from the plastic trays and packaging directly into your food.

But the real culprit when it comes to microplastic ingestion is from drinking from single-use water bottles. There is new evidence that water in single use plastic bottles can contain up to 240,000 nano particles of plastic per bottle. So, for your own health and that of the planet, invest in a (non-plastic) reusable water bottle and say good riddance to single use water bottles!

Go Seasonal!

The United Nations estimates that it takes about 2,000-5,000 liters of water to produce a single person’s daily food. If that’s not disturbing enough, food demand is projected to increase by 50% in the next 25 years, likely requiring exponential increases in water. Considering the fact that more than a quarter of the world’s population does not have access to clean water, the statistics are that much more shocking. 

Common sense tells us that more resources are needed to grow and maintain food in intense conditions, such as droughts or freezes. Instead of searching for strawberries and blueberries in the middle of winter, when they will likely be very expensive and will have been very environmentally intensive to produce and transport, find some fun seasonal recipes online and use what you have readily available. If it’s October, try out some dishes with apples or squash. In the spring, experiment with artichokes and asparagus. 

No matter where in the world you live, Mother Nature provides yummy things 365 days of the year — we should be more appreciative and eat seasonally! 

Why Care? 

You might be thinking “Why should I care?”, or more importantly “Why should I do anything about it?” While these are perfectly valid questions to be asking, the answer is simple: making sustainable choices when it comes to what you eat benefits everyone. 

Shopping responsibly for grocery items ensures that we are not wasting resources, and instead supporting small businesses and farmers, and living in harmony with nature. Eating healthier not only makes you FEEL better and LIVE better, but reduces the harmful effects that packaged and processed foods have on the environment and human health at every step of their production. 

If you feel inspired to join the plastic-free movement and start making positive food changes right this minute, you can start by signing the Global Plastics Treaty and exploring EARTHDAY.ORG’s Foodprints for the Future Campaign. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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When Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, it was marketed as “the material of a thousand uses.” Indeed, if you were to pick up the item closest to you right now, the chances are it will contain some plastic. 

Knowing what we know today about the association between human health and plastics, this fact is clearly concerning, but not entirely surprising. When plastic burst onto the market, consumers were dazzled by all of its possibilities. From kitchenware to furniture, carpets, jewelry, to children’s toys, appliances and beyond. Plastic seemed like the key to the future growth of American and global manufacturing. 

By 1950, two million tons of plastic were being produced globally each year; today, 450 million tons are produced annually. A huge percentage of the products that we use on a daily basis contain plastic, ranging from the obvious — like plastic bottles and takeout containers — to the inconspicuous, such as tea bags, chewing gum and toiletry products. 

Plastic is so pervasive in modern society that it has been found in the planet’s most remote places; from the Mariana Trench, the deepest known part of the ocean some 36,000 feet down, to the top of Mt. Everest, at an elevation of over 29,000 feet. Even more alarming, tiny fragments of plastics known as microplastics, have been found in almost every part of the human body, including placentas, heart tissue, lung tissue, blood and even in breast milk.

To address this plastic crisis, scientists and manufacturing companies have been working to develop sustainable alternatives to plastic that are equal in strength and flexibility, but safer for the environment and human health.  Here are some of them:

Seaweed Solutions

One of the biggest producers of plastic waste is packaging, including food wrappers, bottles, and shipping materials. One particularly promising sustainable alternative to plastic packaging is  biodegradable algae-based packaging. 

B’zeos, a Norwegian startup, was the first company to use seaweed to develop sustainable packaging. Since introducing their first product in 2018, an edible drinking straw, the company has expanded to produce biodegradable condiment packets, cutlery, and plastic wrap, all of which are designed to biodegrade completely in less than 47 days. 

Another leader in seaweed-based products is 2022 Earthshot winner Notpla, whose current products include seaweed-based cutlery and compostable takeout containers with an anti-grease protective seaweed coating, as opposed to petroleum based coatings. They also have several products in development, including edible energy gel pods for athletes and biodegradable laundry detergent sachets. 

Plant-fueled Bioplastics 

Bioplastics — “plastics” made from natural sources — are another major area of sustainable materials research. They can be categorized as non-biodegradable, partially biodegradable, and biodegradable. For example, Bio-PET, the sustainable analog of PET (polyethylene terephthalate, the most common form of plastics, found in single-use bottles and many clothes) is made from renewable plant materials instead of fossil-fuels. However, despite being recyclable, Bio-PET is not biodegradable, so it doesn’t break down naturally in the environment like some other materials.

One type of bio-based and biodegradable plastic alternative is PHA, or polyhydroxyalkanoates. PHA is produced by microorganisms through bacterial fermentation fueled by a variety of plant sources. Genecis is a company which uses food waste and agricultural waste to feed their bacterial cultures, resulting in a truly circular manufacturing process. Refork, a Czech company specializing in eco-friendly cutlery, straws, and toothbrushes, uses wood fiber mixed with PHA polymer and minerals in their production. 

PHA also stands apart from other bio-plastics, like PLA (polylactic acid), in that it is relatively easy to compost at home in addition to being industrially compostable. While PLA is the current frontrunner bioplastic, PHA degrades faster and in more situations, meaning that as the technology becomes more affordable to produce, it could be a very strong competitor. 

PlantSwitch is developing a process which turns agricultural waste products, such as rice husks and wheat straw, into compostable pellets made from an original biopolymer resin, similar to PHA, but — according to the founders — more effectively degradable. The pellets, designed to be completely biodegradable in 8 weeks, are intended for manufacturers to then use them as raw materials for their own products. 

Silicone — It’s Elemental

Silicone is often mistaken for plastic but, while sharing many physical characteristics with fossil fuel derived plastics, it is considered much safer and more environmentally friendly.   

Silicone is made from naturally occurring silica stone, water, and natural gas-derived methanol. Silica (SiO2), also known as quartz when in crystalline form, is made up of silicon — one of the most common chemical elements — and oxygen, and can be found in many types of rock, sand, and construction materials.  

Silicone is strong, flexible, can withstand extreme temperatures, and does not leach toxic residues or microplastics making it an excellent alternative to traditional plastic. Platinum silicone specifically is considered one of the safest forms of silicone, and is used in many kitchen products and medical implants. 

Silicone products are technically recyclable, but not every facility has the means to accept and recycle them. Therefore, if you don’t want your silicone items to end up in the landfill, be sure to do your research before disposing of them. 

Emerging Innovations in Product Packaging

In addition to the many sustainable plastic alternatives that are already available on the market, researchers are constantly finding new ways to use environmentally-friendly materials and manufacturing processes to develop solutions that address remaining industry demands. One area which has seen great innovation in recent years is sustainable packaging. 

In 2022, a group of scientists at Rutgers University, in partnership with Harvard University, created an anti-microbial and biodegradable spray-on protective coating for produce and other food items. Made out of plant cellulose, the spray is designed to be rinsed off with water and, according to the scientists, degrade in soil within 3 days. While it is yet to be commercialized, the spray could eliminate the need for plastic packaging of things like fruits, vegetables, and even meat. 

Alternative packaging and shipping materials include natural fibers such as coconut fiber, hemp, husk, oat hulls, cotton burs, jute (similar to burlap) and bagasse (a byproduct of sugarcane harvesting.) By using these fibers, many of which are left over from agricultural processes, manufacturers are able to get cheap, readily available raw materials as well as contribute to a circular production economy. 

In 2021, Hongli (Julie) Zhu, an associate professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University, developed a biodegradable plastic bag alternative made from bamboo fiber and sucrose. The bag, unlike most biodegradable materials, retains its strength in wet conditions and does not degrade until exposed to the outdoors. According to Zhu, once the bag is buried in the soil it will degrade completely in just 60 days. 

Bioform Technologies has even developed a paper-recyclable alternative to traditional plastic “thermoforming” films using pulp fiber in place of plastic polymers. Thermoforming is a way of heating and molding plastic into rigid shapes, and is often used to produce things like packaging trays and disposable tableware. By repurposing existing pulp machinery, Bioform has created a patented method of producing these films at commercial speeds which decarbonizes the thermoforming process. 

As the global population continues to skyrocket and consumer demand increases, it is likely that our waste production will also grow. So we need these plastic alternatives now more than ever.

To keep the pressure on global governments to manage soaring plastic production we must collectively demand caps on the production of plastics. If you agree, please sign our Global Plastics Treaty Petition and tell the United Nations and all governmental organizations to slash plastic production globally by 60% by 2040.  

Unless something is done to curb this trend, current rates of plastic production could almost double by 2040. Let’s send a clear message that we don’t want a world suffocated by plastics. 

This week as government negotiators from across the world gather in Busan, Republic of Korea, for INC-5 to discuss how we collectively cope with our plastic crisis we know that the US government is potentially backing away from firm action.  Please read this statement by Kathleen Rogers, the President of EARTHDAY.ORG on this latest development. 

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“Bottled or tap?”

This is the question we are not only asked frequently at restaurants, but we also ask ourselves every time we reach for a glass of water. Subconsciously, the answer is almost always bottled. 

It’s a good time to think about water as October 18 marks the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Clean Water Act in the U.S, which largely came about because of the very first Earth Day in 1970, when 20 million people across the United States marched, demanding clean air and clean water. 

While not everyone has access to clean drinking tap water from a tap – what’s shocking is that for many of us that do – we still prefer plastic bottled water.  Why? Because tap water is losing the PR war with plastic bottled water. 

Consider this terrible truth – producing one billion plastic bottles requires 24 million gallons of oil, and given that a staggering 79 percent of all the plastic ever made remains in polluting landfill sites around the world, why are we asking for our water to be served to us this way?

Plastics PR Coup

The public’s perception of plastic bottles as ‘better’ than tap water has been shaped by clever marketing campaigns. Brands like FIJI and Smartwater lure the public with their appealing names and promises of purity. Consequently, about 39 percent of participants in a recent Harvard study thought bottled water was superior to tap. 

But, that’s not always a fair comparison. This March 2024, the FDA recalled over 78,000 cases of Fiji,  due to the presence of three strains of bacteria and elevated manganese levels. This was followed in April when the FDA issued a second bottled drinking water recall, this time for a brand called “Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water’.  While neither contaminants were considered life threatening and the Fufi Water recall was eventually downgraded to a Class III category  recall – both cases illustrate that bottled water is not immune to issues. However the one that is perhaps most worrying is around plastics getting into bottle water. 

One concerning study revealed that the average liter of bottled water can contain up to 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, 90 percent of the plastics they found were so tiny that they were classified as nanoplastics. These particles are even smaller than microplastics, which are typically visible to the eye and roughly the size of a grain of rice. When microplastics break down further, they form nanoplastics, measuring less than 1 µm in size. This tiny size allows them to penetrate the body’s cells and tissues. 

Recent research has found microplastics in human blood, feces, and major organs. The health implications of these plastics are rapidly emerging with evidence suggesting associations with serious human health issues, including cell death and the decrease of immunity. 

EARTHDAY.ORG’s own report, BABIES Vs. PLASTICS, published in November 2023 highlighted the risks these tiny plastic pieces present to babies especially: interrupted maternal-fetal communication, damaged DNA, autism and other endocrine disruption issues such as early onset puberty and cancers, including the prostate gland of fetuses were all associated with plastics.  More research is needed to study the impact of plastic fragments, microplastics and nanoplastics, on human health as well as the plastic-related chemicals these particulates leach out into us and the environment. 

How can you avoid drinking plastic particles and plastic related chemicals ? Where possible opt for tap water because according to research from 2022 by the National Institute of Health (NIC), in Bethesda, Maryland, tap water in the US at least contains less plastic contaminants than bottled water.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  is responsible for regulating tap water in the United States, and monitors for 90 known contaminants in tap water. 

In San Francisco, a city that provides one of the best water qualities in the U.S, tap water is tested more than 10,000 times before being distributed. In April, 2024, the EPA announced new rules known as the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), which covers six  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat and are commonly used in plastic products.  The EPA is anticipating that the new ruling will “prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses”.

In addition, the EPA announced $1 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states implement rigorous PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. 

There have been cases of tap water being deemed dangerous, albeit not from plastics. For example in 2014 in Flint, Michigan, the local authority switched their municipal water supply source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. This corroded water distribution pipes, which then leached lead directly into tap water.  But hopefully instances like this are rare. 

Bottled water meanwhile is monitored for safety and reliability by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA manages bottled water as a food product, which means that bottled water does not have to be tested by certified laboratories for quality testing or for reporting test results.

More Positives for Tap Water

The other added benefit of tap water is that much of it is fluoridated. Fluoride is added at low levels because it’s been shown to harden the enamel layer of teeth which builds up our resistance to tooth decay.  

Tap water is significantly more economical than single-use plastic bottled water. Consumers who regularly buy bottled water pay approximately 3,000 percent more than those who drink tap water. Although costs can vary by household, the average annual water bill is around $300, translating to about a penny per gallon, while bottled water costs about $1.44 per gallon.

What’s more, an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic end up in our environment annually- polluting the soil and our precious water table and ultimately and ironically,  ourselves. 

Reject the Bottle and Embrace the Tap

However, public skepticism over tap water persits which is helping to drive the ever expanding  $46 billion U.S bottled water market, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today.

We are so habitually used to having a plastic bottle of water ready and in our grasp, that it is easy to forget about good old tap water. 

Psychologically, humans rely on two systems to motivate behavior;  system 1 is responsible for making immediate decisions, while system 2 is about making analytical decisions.  It is hard to switch to the latter system, because it requires more thinking and much more reasoning. So, when faced with the option of bottled or tap water, humans will tend to pick the one they are most familiar with, which is increasingly plastic bottled water. Even though it’s much more expensive, it is destroying the planet and poisoning our bodies with plastic particles and chemicals.  

Let’s face it: switching to tap water isn’t just a matter of convenience; it requires us to break free from our ingrained habits.  To make a meaningful change, we must learn to actively engage System 2 when it comes to our water choices. By consciously allowing our values to guide us, we can opt for tap water and help mitigate the waste and pollution associated with single-use plastic bottles, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. 

To help protect our communities from plastic buildup, and inform policymakers on plastic pollution and its underlying causes, consider donating to the EARTHDAY.ORG campaign to End Plastics. By uncovering the systematic problems within plastic use, including the misinformation regarding tap water, we can make a difference for our planet – and our own health, because every plastic water bottle sold is one more bottle too much.  

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Plastic nurdles, small plastic pellets about the size of a lentil, are often overlooked in the plastic pollution conversation, yet they are alarmingly pervasive and hugely problematic. They serve as the raw material for virtually all plastic products, and are melted down to make plastics packaging to bottles to household items and beyond. Think of them as the go to ingredient for nearly all plastic manufacturing.  

Despite their harmless appearance these tiny pellets pose a significant threat to both the environment and human health because every year, almost 450,000 metric tonnes of nurdles are estimated to poison the environment through accidental releases.. Understanding the dangers of these plastic nurdles is essential for addressing the broader plastic pollution crisis that plagues our planet.

How Plastic Nurdles End Up In Our Oceans and Rivers

An investigation by the media outlet Vox in 2022 discovered that nurdles “often escape from the plastic production process in mundane ways, slipping into drains at factories or spilling out of cargo containers while being transported by trains and ships.”  Sometimes too they are also deliberately dumped. 

When they get into the environment, either accidentally during production, manufacturing, transportation, via handling or intentionally as waste, they are easily carried by rivers and streams into our oceans.  These pellets are by now ubiquitous in the marine environment, often found in large quantities on beaches and in oceans worldwide.

Notable Plastic Nurdle Spills

Notable plastic nurdle spills have caused widespread pollution in various parts of the world. In 2021, the container ship MV X-Press Pearl caught fire and sank off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, releasing around 1,680 tons of plastic nurdles into the ocean.  In 2020, a barge carrying nurdles capsized in the Mississippi River, USA, leading to an estimated 750 million nurdles being released into the water. In 2017, a storm in Durban Harbour, South Africa, caused a shipping container carrying approximately 2.25 billion nurdles to be lost in the harbor. Additionally, in 2012, Typhoon Vicente in Hong Kong resulted in the release of containers filled with around 1,008 tons of nurdles into the sea. These incidents highlight how quickly industrial accidents can cause severe environmental damage. 

How Do Nurdles Hurt Wildlife?

The environmental hazards posed by plastic nurdles are vast and varied: Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, and turtles, often mistake nurdles for food. Ingesting these plastic pellets can lead to physical harm, including blockages in the digestive system, malnutrition, and even death. 

On beaches, large quantities of nurdles can smother small organisms like hatching turtles and plants like seagrass growing in the sand. In the ocean, nurdles can interfere with coral reefs and other critical marine habitats, further exacerbating the decline of these vital ecosystems. 

Nurdles are not just physical pollutants; they are made from fossil fuels and contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), flame retardants, toxic metals and PFAS that leach out of them into their surroundings as well as wildlife directly. 

The chemicals absorbed and added to nurdles, such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, forever chemicals (PFAS), DDT, PCBs, and mercury, are known endocrine disruptors. Continuous exposure to these chemicals, even at low levels, can have cumulative adverse effects on health. These substances can interfere with the body’s natural systems, leading to a range of health problems, including neurodevelopment and neurological disorders, reduced fertility, inflammation, obesity, cancer, and increased susceptibility to certain diseases.

Human Health Risks Associated with Plastic Nurdles

When marine animals ingest nurdles or the toxic chemicals that leach from them, these toxins can accumulate in their bodies and poison them. Moreover, these plastic poisons bioaccumulate in fish and other wildlife, entering the food chain and posing risks to predators, including humans. One of the primary pathways through which nurdles affect human health is through the consumption of contaminated seafood, posing a risk to humans who consume this seafood.

Nurdles also act as chemical sponges, absorbing toxic substances from their surroundings. These include persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as pesticides, industrial chemicals and heavy metals and even bacteria and viruses. This turns the nurdles into vectors for transporting dangerous chemicals and pathogens over and above the toxic cocktail used to create them in the first place. 

Nurdles contribute to the broader issue of microplastic pollution. Over time, these pellets can break down into smaller particles, further contaminating the environment. Microplastics can then enter the human body through various routes, including inhalation and ingestion of contaminated food and water. 

Nurdle Superheroes

One notable win against nurdle pollution was led by former shrimp fisherwoman turned nurdle activist, Diane Wilson. She took on Formosa Plastics after it repeatedly dumped plastic nurdles in Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Cox’s Creek in the Gulf of Texas.  In 2019, after decades of fighting back, Wilson won a landmark $50 million settlement from Formosa for its persistent  plastic nurdle pollution, a feat that would win Wilson the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2023. 

Recently, Formosa Plastics has attempted a comeback in that area, and as of this writing a public meeting is slated for September 24 in Edna, Texas. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss further expansion of a Formosa Plastics plant and the dangers it presents to human health and the environment. 

Addressing the Plastic Nurdle Crisis

Given the severe environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and human health risks posed by plastic nurdles, it is crucial to implement measures to mitigate their impact. Several strategies can be employed to address this issue. 

Governments and regulatory bodies need to enforce stricter regulations on the production, transportation, and disposal of plastic nurdles. This includes mandating best practices for spill prevention and response, as well as imposing penalties for non-compliance. Enhanced monitoring and enforcement can help reduce the likelihood of nurdles entering the environment. The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is one bill that aims to prevent plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic from polluting waterways.

Raising public awareness about the dangers of plastic nurdles is essential for fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. Educational campaigns can inform the public about the impact of nurdles on the environment and human health, encouraging individuals to advocate for stronger regulations and support sustainable practices like plastic reduction and cleanup efforts. 

Plastic nurdles may be small, but they are a key component in the plastic pollution crisis, addressing the dangers of nurdles requires a multifaceted approach involving stricter regulations, corporate responsibility, public awareness, and ongoing research. By taking concerted action, we can mitigate the risks posed by plastic nurdles and work towards a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

If you’re in the U.S., send a letter to your Congresspeople telling them to Support the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.

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