<h5>What are microplastics?</h5>  <p>Plastic waste comes in various shapes and sizes. Plastic waste that is smaller than 5 millimetres (that’s the size of an eraser attached to the top of a pencil) is called microplastic. Microplastics are made when bigger pieces of plastic break into tiny pieces. This type of plastic is extremely harmful to the environment and very difficult to clean.
Microplastics can be divided into two types:
1. Primary microplastics: These are small plastic particles created for commercial use, such as beauty products, industrial manufacturing, etc. It also includes small particles that have been shed from synthetic clothing (made of nylon and polyester).
2. Secondary microplastics: These are the particles that form when bigger plastic goods, like water bottles, degrade. They degrade due to various environmental factors, such as the sun's rays, water, etc.</p> <h5>What harmful effects do microplastics have on our environment?</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/what-are-microplastics%2Fwhat-are-microplastics-section1.jpeg?alt=media&token=fd5df25b-3c8a-4440-8a53-1782d43078ad" alt="What harmful effects do microplastics have on our environment?" >
        <figcaption>A fish that ate eighteen pieces of plastic. Photo by Dr. Marcus Eriksen.</figcaption>
      </figure> <p>Every year, the planet generates up to 400 million tonnes of plastic garbage. So it is no surprise that microplastics are everywhere! 
They have been found in drinking water, marine animals, other land animals, and even in human blood. Many times marine animals mistake microplastics for food and eat them, resulting in death. Microplastics have also been found in the tap water of many areas.
That’s not all. Microplastics can also carry toxic materials and disease-causing germs with them. The damage microplastics can do is extremely widespread and very universal. </p> <h5>Okay. If microplastics are so bad, why is nobody doing anything about it?</h5>  <p>Governments around the world are trying their best to stop the spread of microplastics. Companies like Pepsico, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Haldiram’s, etc. that generate a lot of plastic waste are being asked to take responsibility for their actions.
The Indian government has also been doing its part to stop the spread of such waste. The more there is plastic waste, the more microplastic is spread everywhere. India has already banned the use of single-use plastics. Plastic waste generated in the country is being recycled to make roads and bricks, etc. In Kerala, people have been hired to fish out plastics from the sea. The government is also encouraging people to use reusable products.</p> <h5>How can we avoid generating microplastic waste?</h5>  <p>Clearly, the problem of microplastics is a huge one! But, we too can help in stopping the spread of microplastics. How? Well, we can stop using plastic in our everyday life - that means not using plastic bags, not using plastic wrap in our tiffins, etc. This plastic is what will eventually become microplastic!</p>
<p>Another way to stop the spread of microplastics is to avoid buying synthetic clothes which spread microplastic every time you put them in the washing machine. If you already have such clothes, try to hand-wash them so lesser plastic fibres are released. 
The Earth is the only home we have. We share it with other living creatures. For their sake and ours, we must stop using plastic as much as we can. Share the dangers of microplastics with your friends and family. Are you willing to help by avoiding plastic products from now on?</p>

Microplastics are a dangerous form of plastic. They have been found in marine animals and even inside humans! Let’s find out more about it.

What Are Microplastics?

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