Definitions and Sources

Microplastics are a type of marine debris that is becoming increasingly apparent on our beaches. Defined as small plastic pieces or fibers that are less than 5mm in size, microplastics may look at first like sand or other natural materials... until you look closely.

Primary microplastics are made to be small. For example, round pre-production pellets known as nurdles are made so that plastic material can be transported and then melted down and used to create larger plastic items. Unfortunately, accidental spills of nurdles mean that many of these pellets end up in the ocean environment.

Learn more about nurdles from the Nurdle Patrol.

Another type of primary microplastic is microbeads, which are are manufactured and added to personal care products such as toothpaste, face washes, and cosmetics. Many communities have enacted legislation to ban the use of microbeads in personal care products, since these plastics end up in the natural environment where they do not belong.

Secondary microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that come from larger plastic items that have broken down over time due to exposure to sun, heat, wind, and waves. The plastic doesn't really go away, but the pieces may get so small you may not be able to see them as easily, or recognize the object that they originally came from. Synthetic automobile tires, for example, produce small microplastic particles as they are used. Another common type of secondary microplastic are plastic microfibers. Tiny fibers shed from synthetic clothing, fishing gear, and other materials, and  researchers are finding microfibers not only in waterways, but in the guts and bodies of marine organisms.

Impacts

Microplastics have many known and potential negative impacts to wildlife, humans, and ecosystems. Researchers have found microplastics in ocean waters throughout the globe and in the guts and tissues of marine organisms. Animals may mistake microplastics for food and become malnourished as the plastic takes up space in the gut where nutritious food should be. Microfiberst sometimes entangle body parts or the digestive systems of small animals. In addition, plastics can absorb toxins which further impacts the animals that ingest them.

Solutions

Many of Oregon's beaches are covered in little bits of plastic. Cleaning the sand by hand might seem crazy and overwhelming, but it can make a difference. Clearly, preventing the production and inflow of microplastics into the ocean would have the biggest impacts.

What you can do:

  • Participate in beach cleanups such as those hosted by Oregon SOLVE
  • Refuse plastic and seek alternatives to plastic
  • Reduce microfibers in your laundry by installing a washing machine filter or using a fiber-capture bag

 

LINKS TO LEARN MORE