The Plastic Predicament: An Urgent Update on Microplastics

It's been a while since we last connected, and we hope this blog post finds you in good health and high spirits. We are reaching out to express our gratitude for your continued support, especially to those who have been part of our journey to reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Back in May 2021, we shared our commitment to a plastic-free lifestyle, highlighting the staggering statistics surrounding plastic pollution and its detrimental impact on our planet. Today, as we revisit this topic on January 10, 2024, we find that the issue of microplastics has finally gained the national attention it deserves.

Firstly, we want to celebrate a significant milestone in our own efforts — we have successfully eliminated bottled water from our lives for over two years, thanks to the Zero Water filter. We are thrilled to announce that starting June 1, 2024, Peaceful Kingdom Farms will be giving away a Zero Water filter every month. We invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and mailing list for a chance to receive this environmentally-friendly gift.

Now, let's delve into the current state of the global plastic crisis, with a specific focus on microplastics, a concern that has recently captured national headlines.

Microplastics: The Unseen Threat

While our commitment to reducing plastic waste remains steadfast, the urgency of the microplastic issue has become even more apparent. Recent data indicates that over a million plastic bottles are purchased worldwide every minute, contributing to the alarming growth of plastic waste. Disturbingly, more than 90% of these bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills, taking about 1,000 years to biodegrade.

One of the most shocking revelations is that an estimated 14 billion pounds of trash find their way into the ocean each year. Approximately one-third of the fish we consume may contain microplastics, resulting in adults unknowingly ingesting a credit card's worth of plastic each week.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, covering an area three times the size of France, exemplifies the magnitude of the problem. The production of plastic bottles alone requires around 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change.

Current US Plastic Waste Landscape

Recent data, albeit pre-pandemic, sheds light on the concerning reality of plastic waste in the United States:

1. The US leads the world in plastic waste generation, ranking as the top contributor globally. Michigan, in particular, stands out, producing over 62 tons of trash per person.

2. Americans discard over 60 million plastic water bottles daily, making the US the 20th-highest contributor to global plastic pollution.

3. US landfills contain a staggering 27 million tons of plastic, constituting 18.5% of all municipal solid waste.

4. Despite generating over 35 million tons of plastics, the US recycles only 8.3% of it.

5. Plastic containers and packaging represent a significant portion of US plastic tonnage, with over 14.5 million tons produced.

6. Over 2 million tons of plastic bottles end up in US landfills, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.

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Microplastics: A Silent Threat to Health and Environment

Recent studies reveal unsettling facts about microplastics:

1. The average person may consume around 70,000 microplastics annually, equivalent to approximately 100 bits of microplastic in a single meal.

2. Plastic pollution claims the lives of 1 million marine animals each year, posing a dire threat to ocean ecosystems.

3. Bottled water, once considered a safe alternative, contains an average of 325 microplastic particles per liter, raising concerns about its safety for humans and pets alike.

As we witness the escalating impact of microplastics on our environment and well-being, our commitment to reducing plastic waste gains even greater significance. Join us on this journey by subscribing to our YouTube channel and mailing list, and you might be the lucky recipient of a Zero Water filter.

Together, let's take actionable steps to combat the plastic pandemic and safeguard the health of our planet for generations to come.

Thank you for being part of the solution.

Please read our other blogs at: Projectlagniappe.org about innovative solutions to the GLOBAL plastic epidemic.

Michael and Seamus Perritt-Reish