This year’s World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th, calls for “an end to plastic pollution” From the air we breath, to the water we drink and the food we eat, to mobilize communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) spotlights the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drive momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use. This year, World Environment Day is celebrated as countries make progress towards securing a global treaty to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. In November 2024, the Republic of Korea hosted the fifth session of negotiations to develop a plastic pollution treaty. The second part of the session will take place from 5 to 14 August in Geneva, Switzerland.

End Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution exacerbates the deadly impacts of three planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.

Plastic pollution harm wildlife and the animals that live in them. as well as human health from the release of toxic chemicals, the negative impacts of plastic production and waste management and the presence of microplastics, and more.

According to earth.org, the world produced more than 2 million tons of plastic per year in 1950, and by 2015, this annual production swelled to 419 million tons and exacerbating plastic waste in the environment.  By 2040, research forecast the plastic crisis will grow to 29 million metric tons per year  and if we include microplastics, the cumulative amount of plastic in the ocean could reach 600 million.   Some 91% of all plastic that has ever been made is not recycled, making it only one of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime.

World Environment Day 2025 Theme

Plastic pollution exacerbates the deadly impacts of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. Globally, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, while microplastics accumulate in the soil from sewage and landfills, due to the use of plastics in agricultural products. The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges between US$300 billion and US$600 billion.

The Source of Microplastic

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic material typically smaller than five millimetres. Released directly into the environment as small particles, they are estimated to represent between 15-31% of microplastics in the oceans.

The main source of primary microplastics in the environment are the laundering of synthetic clothes (35%); the road abrasion of vehicle tyres as they wear down through driving (28%), and intentionally added microplastics in personal care products, such as microbeads in facial scrubs (2%). Urban dust, containing plastic particles from various sources, also contributes significantly to microplastic pollution.

The source of secondary microplastics originate from degradation of larger plastic objects, such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets which account for 69-81% of microplastics found in the oceans.

Microplastics are found in growing quantities in the ocean. According to the UN, there are as many as 51 trillion microplastic particles in the seas, 500 times more than stars in our galaxy.

According to a study by Frontiers in Marine Science, there are over 14 million tons of microplastic sitting on the ocean floor!  This is the equivalent to over 30 billion pounds and an estimated 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean.

Microplastics found in the sea can be ingested by marine animals can end up in humans through the food chain. They have been found in food and drinks, including beer, honey and tap water. Not surprisingly, plastic particles have also been discovered in human stool.

Invisible Pollutants in Responsible Hotels

Hotels across the globe are embracing more responsible practices, notably shifting from single-use plastics to dispensers, investing in recycling infrastructure, and communicating environmental commitments to guests. These changes are commendable, but they are no longer enough.

One of the most critical issues now emerging is the presence of microplastics in hotel cosmetics and personal care product amenities, a form of pollution that escapes filtration systems and ultimately enters our water systems, oceans, and food chains. For hotels that proudly claim environmental leadership, this presents a silent but significant contradiction.

Studies have found microplastics in drinking water, in food and seasoning and in food packaging:

– Drinking water: Studies found microplastics in bottled water and tap water.

– Food and seasoning:  Microplastics have been found in seafood, fruit and vegetables, beer and even processed foods. Studies found microplastics in produce – tomatoes, asparagus, radish, bakchoi and lettuce. A study from the Universität Wien suggests that lettuce plants can take up pollutants, including those from tire wear, from the soil. Microplastics have been detected in salt seasoning – sea salt, Himalayan pink salt and table salt – which indicate contamination during the salt production process and the raw material used.

– Food packaging: Studies found microplastics in food packaging. Plastic containers and packaging can release microplastics into food, especially when heated.  For example, studies have shown that a single tea bag made from plastic materials such as polypropylene can release billions of microplastic particles per milliliter of tea. Even tea bags made of paper can also contain plastic materials, like polypropylene, which are used for sealing and heat-resistance. For prevention, consider using loose leaf tea instead of tea bags.

Potential sources of microplastics are:

– Environmental contamination: Microplastics can enter the food chain through various pathways, including wind, irrigation with wastewater, and agricultural practices.

– Plastic containers: Used for food and drink storage and washing can release microplastics into the food.

– Packaging: Microplastics can be released from food packaging during production, storage, and preparation.

– Water treatment: While water treatment plants remove particles, some microplastics may still pass through, according to research from Kemira.

Microplastics… The Trojan Horse

Ranging from visible to microscopic, microplastics are a growing concern due to their potential impacts on human health.

From the air we breath: Multiple studies have confirmed that humans are breathing in microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are present in air both indoors and outdoors from various sources, including synthetic fabrics, plastic objects, waste incineration, and landfills. Scientists have detected microplastics in lung tissue, The Guardian says, and some evidence suggests they may even enter the brain via the olfactory nerves. Other studies suggest potential links to inflammation, and even potential links to cardiovascular disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

From the water we drink and the food we eat: A study by the World Health Organization found microplastics in drinking water and food.

There is ongoing research into the potential impacts of microplastics on human health, including their potential effects on the digestive system and endocrine system. Studies suggest that microplastics can accumulate pathogens and heavy metals, which could pose a health risk if ingested. Other studies suggest that microplastic pollution has led to infertility in some animal species.

The effect on human health is still unknown, but plastics often contain additives, such as stabilisers or flame-retardants, and other possibly toxic chemical substances that may be harmful to the animal or human ingesting them.

WE ARE THE PROBLEM & SOLUTION

Human actions and bad habits are the primary drivers of plastic pollution. Overconsumption of single-use plastics, inadequate waste management, and improper disposal contribute to the massive amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments.

Tire wear particles contain a range of chemicals, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazoles, and heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic life.  To mitigate this, individuals can adopt eco-driving practices and consider using public transportation, cycling, or walking for shorter trips, maintaining proper tire pressure and avoiding aggressive acceleration and braking. Additionally, manufacturers can focus on developing more durable tires and reducing the toxicity of tire compounds.

Individuals can minimize their intake of microplastics by taking steps to reduce exposure:

– Choose purified water: Switch to purified water or boiled water.

– Limit certain foods:  Seafood, lettuce and processed foods which may contain higher levels of microplastics due to packaging and processing methods.

– Avoid heating food in plastic: Use glass or stainless steel containers for heating food to minimize microplastic leaching.

– Use natural fiber clothing (cotton, linen and wool): Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics during washing, which can enter water systems and the food chain.