Plastic is an important part of our everyday lives and makes our lives more pleasant. But many of us don't realize how prevalent plastic is in our homes – in everything from clothing to cookware to cleaning products. In addition to the devastating amount of waste generated from the global production of more than 460 million tons of plastic, according to the United Nations Environment Program, there are also health concerns to consider.
Practical plastic products such as water bottles and food containers break down over time into tiny pieces less than 5 millimeters in size, called microplastics. Consumer products such as synthetic clothing fabrics, cleaning products, toothpaste and skin care products (e.g. microbeads) also contain plastics. Microplastics can even appear as dust in our homes.
Unfortunately, microplastics made from harmful chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol A) and chemicals such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are increasingly appearing in our water and food and even entering our bodies. This has raised a red flag about the health damage that can result, including developmental, reproductive and hormonal problems.
As more and more people recognize these risks, it is important to find out how to avoid microplastics. Here are some steps you can take to reduce microplastic exposure in your home and improve home health and safety.
Avoid single-use plastic.
Plastics can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. By avoiding plastic products in the first place, you can reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment overall. This is especially important for single-use plastics or items that are intended to be used only once and then thrown away, such as straws and takeaway food containers.
A study found that some plastic water bottles contain up to 10,000 microplastic particles. Some locations have banned single-use products, but it's really up to individuals to change the amount they use.
Here are some ways you can reduce single-use plastic in your life:
- Eat more fresh produce, such as by shopping at farmers markets, rather than items sold in plastic packaging.
- Replace disposable plastic water bottles with refillable, BPA-free ones.
- Bring your own cloth bags with you when shopping.
- Ask for paper instead of plastic bags.
- Look for zero-waste grocery stores and other eco-conscious retailers.
- Swap single-use plastic straws for reusable metal, glass or bamboo straws.
Change your laundry routine.
By changing the way you do your laundry, you can significantly reduce the amount of microplastics created in your home. When clothes go through the washer and dryer, fibers can break down and release microplastics. Synthetic plastic fabrics like polyester, acrylic and nylon are the biggest culprits, releasing hundreds of thousands of microplastics per load.
Here are some customizations you can make:
- Wash your clothes less often and only wash full loads with cold water on a short cycle.
- Buy items made from natural fabrics such as silk, wool, bamboo, organic cotton and hemp instead of synthetic fabrics.
- Opt for fragrance-free liquid detergent, as powder detergents can be abrasive.
- Install a fiber capture filter in your washing machine to prevent microplastics from being washed out in wastewater.
- Invest in a microfiber laundry bag to catch microplastics.
- Throw in a laundry ball to prevent microfibers from breaking off clothing.
- Avoid using the gentle cycle setting, which uses more water than a normal wash cycle.
- Air dry clothes using a drying rack or clothesline.
Install an effective water filter.
Unfortunately, microplastics have also been detected in our drinking water. In fact, a 2019 study found that plastic fibers are present in nearly 95 percent of tap water samples in the United States. By installing a water filter, you can solve this problem in your own home.
Choose a reverse osmosis water filtration system that is known to be the most effective filtration option. Reverse osmosis is a process that uses energy to force water through an extremely thin semi-permeable membrane that separates chemicals from the water. An under-sink reverse osmosis system costs about $200 to $300, plus $200 to $300 per year for maintenance. Whole-house reverse osmosis versions are also available. They can cost thousands of dollars and require a plumber to install.
Swap nonstick cookware for healthier alternatives.
Although non-stick pots and pans make cooking and subsequent cleaning easier, they can be harmful to your health. A new joint study from 2024 found that the synthetic chemicals used in nonstick cookware during food preparation can release microplastics into food. For example, if the coating on Teflon pans is scratched or broken, millions of microplastics can be released when heated. Choose safer cookware alternatives like cast iron, ceramic, carbon steel, and stainless steel pans that will stand the test of time.
Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Conventional cleaning products filled with toxic chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and phthalates and stored in plastic containers can release tiny plastic particles over time. Replace these cleaning products with greener brands, such as those approved by the Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program, or with DIY alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar.
Additionally, avoid melamine sponges for more eco-friendly options. Recent research shows that melamine foam, like that found in Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges, contains microplastics that enter the water supply, soil and food chain as the sponges break down. Microfiber tea towels and kitchen brushes also excrete microplastics.
Choose safer alternatives such as Swedish tea towels made from wood pulp and cotton, cellulose sponges made from wood pulp or plant cellulose, coconut cleaners made from coconut fiber or husk, loofahs made from dried gourds, bamboo brushes made from bamboo and natural bristles, and hemp sponges made from hemp fiber.
Save energy and stay comfortable at the same time