Why are microplastics a growing environmental concern?

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are becoming more common in our environment, and they’re causing problems for nature and us.

Imagine you have a big piece of candy, like a lollipop. If you break it into really small pieces, like the size of a grain of sand, that’s kind of what microplastics are: tiny plastic bits. These little bits come from things like old plastic bags, bottles, and even your favorite clothing if it's made of synthetic fibers.

When we throw away plastic, or when we wash our clothes, these tiny plastic pieces can end up in the water, like in rivers, lakes, and even the ocean. It’s like when you spill juice on the floor: the liquid spreads out, and so do the microplastics. Over time, they can go all the way into the food chain.

Animals like fish and birds might eat these tiny plastic bits, thinking they’re eating something good to eat, like little pieces of food. But instead of getting nourishment, they get plastic inside them. That can make them sick or even stop them from growing properly.

So, microplastics are like invisible little candies that aren’t so sweet, and they're showing up everywhere we look!