How Microplastics Travel Back onto Our Plates
Here’s the part that really brings it home. When plastic breaks down in our kitchens and homes, it washes down our drains. Those particles travel into wastewater systems, and while treatment plants can filter some of it… not all of it is captured.
From there:
Microplastics enter rivers
Flow into our oceans
Settle into the water column and seafloor
And are eaten by marine life - from tiny plankton to fish and shellfish
Once inside these organisms, microplastics can:
accumulate in tissues
interfere with feeding and nutrient absorption
and travel up the food chain
Which means they eventually land right back on our dinner plates - in seafood, table salt, seaweed seasonings, and more.
So the plastic we wash away today may literally become tomorrow’s meal.
This is the part that hits many people: Our oceans give us food - but now we are feeding the oceans plastic. And the cycle continues unless we interrupt it.
Microplastics Are Everywhere - So What Can We Do About It?
About two years ago, researchers confirmed something that many people suspected but hoped wasn’t true: microplastics and nanoplastics are now inside the human body.
We’re not talking about a tiny amount, either. Microplastics have been detected in:
seafood
milk
beer
honey
sugar
salt
drinking water (especially bottled water)
And recently, in early 2024, scientists made a startling discovery: An average of 240,000 plastic particles were found in just one litre of bottled water. Most of these were nanoplastics - particles so small previous research may never have detected them.
These particles don’t simply pass through us. They can remain in the body, potentially accumulating in:
organ tissues
the bloodstream
and the digestive system
While scientists are still studying the long-term effects, early findings suggest possible links to:
inflammation
hormonal disruption
cell damage
higher cancer risk
and degenerative neurological disorders
In other words, we are not meant to eat plastic - and it’s wise to reduce our exposure wherever we can.
Where Are Microplastics Coming From?
We often think plastic pollution happens out there - in oceans, rivers, or landfill. But the truth is more personal.
Many of the biggest microplastic sources are inside our kitchens, bathrooms, and wardrobes - right at home.
Here are some everyday items that commonly shed microplastics and some swaps that are better for you and the environment:
What About the Dishwasher?
Heating, scrubbing, and strong detergents accelerate microplastic release - for single use plastics, which are best to be avoided as they were not made to be used more than once.
This means:
Cheap plastic dinnerware
Cheap plastic mixing bowls
Cheap plastic kids plates
Melamine plates
…all of these tend to shed microplastics faster when they’re used daily — especially once they hit the dishwasher. But! It’s really important to say not all plastics are the same.
There are high-quality options, like Tritan plastic (think your NutriBullet level quality). Tritan is known as the Rolls Royce of plastics — it’s tough, long-lasting, food-safe, and made without nasties like BPA.
A Better Everyday Swap: Wheat Straw Dinnerware
Wheat straw is made from the leftover stalk after wheat harvesting — a plant-based by-product that would otherwise go to waste.
Why it helps:
Dishwasher-safe without shedding microplastics from quality PP plastic
Non-toxic + BPA-free
Lightweight and durable
Everyday practical (kid-friendly, picnic-friendly, life-friendly!)
Softer, more natural look that feels beautiful on the table
Sometimes the best solutions are the simple, everyday ones.
Simple Kitchen Swaps to Reduce Microplastics (Starting Today)
Switch plastic plates → wheat straw or ceramic
Swap plastic cutting boards → bamboo or tempered glass
Store food in glass instead of microwavable plastics
Brew tea with loose leaves instead of tea bags
Use wooden or stainless utensils instead of plastic ones
Choose clothing made from natural fibres
Sweep + mop regularly to reduce airborne fibres at home
Small changes add up. Perfection isn’t possible - but progress is powerful.
Microplastics in the Laundry: Polyester Clothing & Washing Machines
It’s not just the kitchen where microplastics are quietly released - our laundry plays a major role too.
Many everyday clothes are made from synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, acrylic and elastane. While they may feel soft or stretchy, these fabrics are actually plastic-based. Every time we wash them, tiny fibres shed from the material and rinse out with the wastewater.
Studies estimate that a single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of microfibres — depending on the type of fabric, washing temperature and machine style. These fibres are so small that they often pass straight through wastewater treatment systems, eventually entering rivers, oceans and even the air.
Why Polyester and Synthetic Fabrics Shed Fibres
Mechanical agitation during washing loosens fibres.
High heat and spin speeds weaken the structure of the fabric.
Older or lower-quality textiles shed even more.
The review on microplastic emissions identifies laundry as a major contributor of airborne and waterborne microplastics — making clothing choices part of the sustainability conversation, too.
Simple Ways to Reduce Microplastics from Laundry
Here are practical changes that make a real impact (no lifestyle overhaul required):
TipWhy it Helps
Wash synthetic clothes less frequently -Reduces fibre shedding and extends garment life
Use cold water & gentle cycles - Less mechanical stress = fewer fibres released
Air dry instead of tumble dry - Heat + friction in dryers can release airborne microfibres
Use a microfibre washing bag (e.g., Guppyfriend) - It catches fibres before they enter the wastewater system
Install a washing machine microfibre filter - Captures fibres before they reach drains
Choose natural fibres where possible - Cotton, hemp, linen and wool shed fibres that break down more easily
A Mindful Closet is a Microplastic Solution
We don’t need to throw away the clothes we already have — that would create more waste.
The goal is simply to:
Care for what we own
Wash more gently
And slowly, over time, choose natural or low-shedding fabrics when replacing or adding pieces.
Small, everyday choices in both the kitchen and the laundry make a meaningful difference.
Because sustainability isn’t about perfection — it’s about improving what we touch most often. 🌿
Winiarska, E., Jutel, M., & Zemelka-Wiacek, M. (2024). The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks. Environmental Research, 251(Part 2), 118535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.118535 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935124004390#bib37