Microplastics: how they end up in nature

AFP English

A new round of negociations on a treaty on reducing global plastic pollution takes place in Nairobi, Kenya from November 12 to 19. How do microplastics end up in the environment? This videographic explains. VIDEOGRAPHIC

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:03 There are two types of microplastics.

00:08 The majority of microplastics, which

00:11 measure less than 5 millimeters, come from larger plastic waste,

00:15 such as bottles or packaging.

00:18 These fragments end up in nature and are

00:20 known as secondary microplastics.

00:23 But a significant portion of microplastics

00:26 are incorporated directly into everyday objects

00:29 during manufacturing and are dispersed into nature

00:32 as we use them.

00:33 These are primary microplastics.

00:36 More than a third of primary microplastics

00:39 released into the environment come from synthetic textiles.

00:43 Machine-washed clothing releases plastic-containing microfibers

00:47 into the sewage system.

00:49 Many sewage treatment plants are unable to filter

00:52 such small plastics, which then end up in the oceans.

00:56 Almost 30% comes from the tires of vehicles.

00:59 When they wear out, these microplastics

01:01 are either dispersed by the wind or rainwater runoff,

01:05 reaching the sewers and then the sea.

01:08 Around a quarter of all emissions

01:10 come from plastic dust produced in cities,

01:13 abrasion from synthetic shoe soles, kitchen utensils,

01:17 household dust, building exteriors,

01:20 and detergents containing plastic.

01:22 Finally, around 5% of our waste comes from boat paints,

01:27 road markings, and personal care products,

01:30 including certain toothpastes, shower gels, and body scrubs,

01:34 where microplastics are added to improve

01:36 texture and effectiveness.

01:39 [END PLAYBACK]

01:43 [AUDIO OUT]

01:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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