Plastic isn’t going away, and its effects are still being discovered. Unfortunately, because plastic is cheap to manufacture, it’s often considered disposable. And because it’s considered disposable, people aren’t conscientious with their use of it.

The biggest problem we are facing with plastic is the fact that, despite its many conveniences, it does not biodegrade. It’s a permanent fixture in our ecosystem and a threat to aquatic organisms.

Microfiber & Micro-Plastic Pollution

This type of pollution consists of microplastics that measure less than 5 millimeters in length. They come from soaps, synthetic clothing and textiles, Styrofoam™, and degraded pieces of plastic litter such as bottles and bags. They often enter our ecosystem as part of larger pieces of plastic, and then break off into microscopic chunks. These tiny pollutants never actually break down, but remain in our lakes, rivers, and streams. They are eventually consumed by aquatic life.

From the smallest plankton to larger fish and birds, these plastics are consumed from the water and often become lodged in the organism’s stomach or digestive tract.

To address the problem, environmentalists, eco-conscious organizations, and entrepreneurs across the globe have developed solutions. They’ve invented. They’ve created. They’ve innovated. They’ve done whatever they can do to make a difference for our ecosystem. Read the full article from NPR here. 

To learn more about what Filtrol is doing to combat plastic pollution through laundry, join the conversation!