Walking along the coast of North Carolina can be peaceful, but it can also be heartbreaking.
Over the years, we have seen fish, dolphins, and sea turtles injured or killed because of plastic pollution. There is no doubt that pollution affects animals.
It is not always the obvious things like bottles or bags, though; those are pretty awful.
Microplastics have now worked their way into the ocean food chain, which means they are making their way into our bodies, too.
Let’s Talk Things Made of Plastic
The problem is not just in what we throw away. It is in the everyday items we use that we often overlook the fact that they contain plastic. Once you know where it is hiding, it is hard to unsee.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico discovered microplastics in human brains, with concentrations 50 percent higher now than just eight years ago. That’s not just creepy, it’s full-on unsettling.
Tea Bags
Many “silky” or mesh tea bags are made from nylon or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). When hot water hits them, they release microplastics straight into your drink.
Loose-leaf tea or paper filter bags are safer options.
Chewing Gum
That mysterious “gum base” listed on the label often includes plastic like polyethylene or polyisobutylene, the same material used in car tires. You heard that right!
Choosing gum made from natural chicle is a better alternative.
Clothing
Polyester, nylon, spandex, and acrylic fabrics are all synthetic fabrics. Every time we do laundry, these materials shed tiny microfibers that flow out with the wash water and end up in our waterways.
It’s essential to know more about slow fashion vs fast fashion when making clothing purchases.
Using a microfiber filter or a Guppyfriend bag can help capture them.
Receipts
The slick coating on many receipts is made from BPA-containing plastic film. Choosing a digital receipt when possible reduces unnecessary plastic and limits your contact with BPA.
Glitter
It might look harmless, but most glitter is microplastic that never breaks down. It easily washes into waterways where fish and other marine life can ingest it.
Plant-based biodegradable glitter is a safer choice. You may enjoy reading more about environmentally friendly balloons as you plan your celebrations!
Wet Wipes
Even “flushable” wipes contain synthetic plastic fibers that do not break down in water. They contribute to sewer blockages and can also pollute waterways.
Switching to reusable cloths or biodegradable wipes can make a difference.
Single-use Coffee Cups
Paper coffee cups have a thin plastic lining so they can hold liquid without leaking. This makes them difficult to recycle and adds more plastic waste to the world.
Bringing your reusable cup is an easy fix, or simply enjoy your coffee at home with your own coffee cups.
Toothpaste + Scrubs
Microbeads, once common in toothpaste and exfoliating scrubs, are still found in some products despite bans in certain countries.
Always check the label for ingredients like polyethylene.
We make our own toothpaste using staples from our kitchen.
Cigarette Butts
The filter is not cotton. It is cellulose acetate, a form of plastic. They are one of the most common forms of litter found on beaches worldwide. Proper disposal is critical, but quitting altogether is better for you and the environment.
Snack Packaging
That shiny snack or candy wrapper is not just foil. It is often a mix of foil and plastic, which makes it nearly impossible to recycle.
Choosing snacks with minimal or recyclable packaging helps reduce waste.
Why It Matters
When these plastics break down, they become microplastics that fish and shellfish can eat. Those microplastics then work their way up the food chain, all the way to our plates.
On the NC coast, we see the direct impact in the form of injured wildlife and polluted waterways.
What You Can Do
Small changes make a real difference. Here are some swaps and habits that help reduce plastic pollution:
- Swap plastic tea bags for loose-leaf tea or paper filter bags.
- Buy gum made with natural chicle instead of synthetic gum base.
- Wash synthetic clothing with a microfiber filter or an organic laundry bag.
- Say no to printed receipts unless you genuinely need them.
- Use biodegradable glitter for crafts or events.
- Bring your reusable cup for coffee and other drinks.
- Avoid personal care products that contain microbeads.
- Properly dispose of cigarette butts or, even better, quit entirely.
- Choose snacks with minimal or recyclable packaging.
We may not be able to remove all plastic from our lives, but we can reduce the amount of plastic that reaches the ocean.
Protecting marine life starts with the choices we make every day, and the coast we love depends on it.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Research is still ongoing, but microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. While the long-term effects are not fully understood, scientists are concerned about possible links to inflammation, hormone disruption, and other health issues.
Not always. Many “biodegradable” plastics only break down in industrial composting facilities, not in your home compost or the ocean. They can still harm wildlife if they end up in waterways.
Most do, including polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex. Choosing natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool can help reduce microfiber pollution.
