Everyone knows plastic waste is an issue. Headlines about the parts per million of micro plastics in drinking water and the human bloodstream flash across news and social feeds weekly. The amount of information known about the effects of plastic on the planet and organisms seems smaller and smaller every day as scientists uncover more variables in the understanding of microplastics.

Dr. Philip Demokritou, PhD, a professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, found that nanoplastics even have the ability to enter cell nuclei. And while so much is unknown about this issue, something that is certain is that microplastics aren’t good for anything. Oxidative damage, DNA damage, shifts in gene activity, increased cancer risk, and reproductive issues, are all environmental toxicological issues caused by microplastics. Plastic disrupts marine wildlife food chains, as it changes organisms’ feeding habits. While the issue of plastics and microplastics becomes increasingly overwhelming, many people feel overwhelmed by the scale of pollution and miss opportunities to be part of the solution.

The first step is awareness. The issue of plastic waste started long before the 21st century and will continue to exist long after we are on this earth. While the plastic polymer was invented in the early 1900s, it didn’t take off until the 1970s. Plastic started as a supplement for other more harmful and expensive materials. It was marketed as a durable and lasting material until companies realized that it would be more profitable to constantly sell and produce plastic. Single-use plastics originated from this idea. As plastic started to accumulate, organizations shifted blame from them as the producers, to the consumers. False remedies like recycling and reduced litter distracted people from the real problem. But this cycle of misinformation and lack of accountability can end with you.

The solution to this problem might be simpler than thought: reduce, reuse and recycle. The first step is arguably the most important. Avoiding harmful plastics is the most effective way to lesser ones impact on the environment. This is difficult, however considering plastics are in virtually everything, so it can be hard to discern which ones are worse than others. The worst and most common are single-use plastics. These plastics let off the most harmful chemicals, and feed into the cycle of overconsumption. Instead, vouch for reusable options. When you do have to buy single use plastics, opt for plastic scores of 1, 2 or 5 as these numbers are the easiest to recycle in the Twin Cities.

Another option is to buy local, even when getting everyday items. Small businesses have much more transparency and accountability than large corporations, making buying from them more ethical. The final way to bring about change to your community is advocacy. Talk to your friends and family about simple switches you could make that would help out, even a little bit. No impact is too small. Reach out to government officials to ask for accountability of corporations as well as for regulations to be put in place to protect ourselves and our planet from the harms of plastic pollution.
Everyone has the ability to cause change and make a difference, and with an issue as large as plastic pollution we all must step up.