The plastic 

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Microplastics, as their name suggests, are very small pieces of plastic – tiny, insoluble

plastic particles that have made their way into the environment. The most popular ways

to classify these particles are by size and by origin.

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- Megaplastics: Larger than 20cm, these are massive plastic fragments, ranging from

bags and bottle caps to entire plastic toys.

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- Macroplastics: Plastic fragments larger than one centimeter, encompassing items like

bags and bottle caps.

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- Mesoplastics: Smaller fragments ranging from 1-10 millimeters, such as resin pellets

and plastic packaging flakes.

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- Microplastics: Encompassing the range of 1-1000 microns, from tiny to microscopic.

Produced intentionally, plastic microbeads in cosmetic products fall into this category,

while many microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastics.

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- Nanoplastics: The smallest and most recently discovered category, these plastics are

smaller than one micron, making them challenging to observe.

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Types of plastic in our water

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Microplastics have been building up in the environment for decades. While water

treatment is usually effective at keeping plastic particles out of tap water, bottled water

often has higher microplastic levels than natural surroundings. A study done by the

university of Colombia estimated 250,000 microplastics per litre of bottled water. Studies

on popular bottled water brands consistently identify common plastics in

plastic-packaged water.

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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):

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A well-known acronym on this list, PVC is a robust plastic typically used for piping and

cable insulations. It also finds several medical applications, often being employed in the

creation of blood bags and non-breakable containers.

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Polypropylene (PP):

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Utilized to create products that require toughness, heat-resistance, lightness, and

flexibility, PP plastic is commonly used in the production of dishwasher-safe food

containers, car battery casings, shampoo bottles, and outdoor furniture.

Polystyrene (PS):

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With its lightweight nature, excellent insulation, and resistance to water and bacterial

growth, polystyrene has long been a preferred material for consumer goods related to

food, including cups, trays, and takeaway containers. Packaging and protective

materials like styrofoam are also crafted from PS.

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Polyethylene (PE):

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As the most extensively used plastic globally, PE's flexibility and versatility make it a

popular choice for items such as clear food wraps, shopping bags, and detergent

bottles. Additionally, it can be transformed into synthetic fibers or modified to function as

a rubber substitute.

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Why are they a massive problem? 

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This poses another challenge due to our limited comprehension of microplastics. We

acknowledge their accumulation within our bodies, yet the comprehensive

understanding of potential long-term health effects remains unclear.

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Although numerous

studies concur that the precise impact of microplastic buildup is uncertain, there is need

for further investigation. Assuming no action is required could hold potential risk in itself.

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What should you do about it? 

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1. Give up on the plastic bottles. Use glass instead. Not only bottles but containers for

lunch for example. Repeat the use of them. It's friendlier to the environment and more

than likely to you too.

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2. Water purification systems are a great way to avoid plastic without sacrificing the

taste of clean, chemical-free water. Whether you want the widespread benefits of

purified water or are just looking for total confidence in the quality of your drinking water,

Instant purifying systems have solutions that make eliminating plastic bottles easy and

more than just affordable.