Plastic Consumption: Credit Card-Sized Portions

A 2019 study by the World Wildlife Fund and the University of Newcastle, Australia, found that people could be ingesting the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic every week. This amounts to 5 grams of plastic, or 2000 tiny pieces, which could accumulate to 250 grams a year. While humans are not literally eating credit cards, the problem of plastic pollution is so pervasive that we might as well be.

Plastic pollution and its negative impact on the environment and human health

Plastic pollution is a pervasive issue that is having a detrimental impact on both the environment and human health. Research has found that people are ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic per week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This plastic enters our bodies through various sources, including the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. Over a year, this could accumulate to 250 grams.

The plastic we consume is not just in the form of large pieces of plastic, but also microplastics, tiny particles that shed off everyday objects. These microplastics have been found in samples of dirt from national parks in the US, demonstrating the extent of plastic pollution.

The impact of this plastic pollution on human health is concerning. While the long-term effects of ingesting microplastics are not yet fully understood, studies have suggested that these particles can enter our organs and tissues, potentially leading to health issues.

In addition to the health risks, plastic pollution also has a significant impact on the environment. Plastic does not easily break down and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. As it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, it can be ingested by animals, leading to health issues and even death.

To address this issue, organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature have suggested that governments ban single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags and microbeads. It is important to reduce our reliance on plastic and transition to more sustainable alternatives to protect both human health and the environment.

The World Wildlife Fund's research on plastic consumption

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has conducted research on plastic consumption, which has revealed some shocking findings. According to a study commissioned by the WWF and carried out by the University of Newcastle, people could be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic per week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This means that we may be consuming up to 2000 tiny pieces of plastic weekly, accumulating to 250 grams per year.

The research highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its impact on both the environment and human health. The WWF has suggested that governments should ban single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags and microbeads.

While the comparison to a credit card may be a way to provide context and make the issue more relatable, it is important to note that the plastic ingested is not necessarily in the form of polyvinyl chloride, the plastic used in credit cards. Instead, it could be a variety of different types and compositions of plastic and its byproducts.

The WWF's research underscores the severity of plastic pollution and the need for urgent action to reduce plastic consumption and protect human health.

How plastic enters our bodies

While it is not true that people eat a credit card's worth of plastic every week, the problem of plastic pollution is so pervasive that we might as well be. Research from the University of Newcastle, Australia, found that people consume 5 grams of plastic per week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This plastic enters our bodies from every available source: food, water, and even the air we breathe.

The plastic we consume is in the form of microplastics, tiny amounts of the substance that shed off our everyday objects. These microplastics can be found in the dirt, in our food and water, and in the air we breathe. While the amount of plastic we consume may not sound like a big deal, it can accumulate over time and have a negative impact on our health.

The World Wildlife Fund has suggested that governments ban single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags and microbeads, to address the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on human health.

The different types and compositions of plastic

While it is not true that people eat a credit card's worth of plastic every week, the problem of plastic pollution is so pervasive that it might as well be true. Research from the University of Newcastle, Australia, suggests that people consume 5 grams of plastic per week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This plastic is ingested from a variety of sources, including food, water, and the air we breathe. It is not all polyvinyl chloride, the plastic used to make credit cards, but a whole assortment of different types and compositions of plastic and its byproducts.

PET, for example, is commonly used in beverage bottles and food packaging due to its clarity, strength, and flexibility. HDPE is known for its high strength and density, making it ideal for products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, and trash bags. PVC, the plastic used in credit cards, is valued for its durability and resistance to chemicals, making it suitable for applications such as plumbing pipes, electrical insulation, and flooring. LDPE, on the other hand, is more flexible and is often used in plastic bags, squeezable bottles, and plastic wraps.

PP is a versatile plastic with excellent heat resistance, making it suitable for food containers, kitchenware, and automotive parts. PS is lightweight and rigid, commonly used in disposable cups, containers, and packaging materials. Finally, PC is a strong and impact-resistant plastic used in products such as water bottles, baby bottles, and eyeglasses.

These are just a few examples of the different types and compositions of plastic. Each type has unique characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications, contributing to its widespread use in various industries. However, the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, as highlighted by the credit card comparison, underscores the urgent need to address the negative impact of plastic on the environment and human health.

The pervasiveness of plastic pollution

While it is not true that people are literally eating credit cards, the problem of plastic pollution is so pervasive that we might as well be. Research from the University of Newcastle, Australia, suggests that people eat the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic every week. That's 5 grams of plastic, which doesn't sound like a lot until you compare it to a credit card.

This plastic enters our bodies from every available source: food, water, and even the air we breathe. It can be a whole assortment of different types and compositions of plastic and its byproducts. We consume up to 2000 tiny pieces of plastic weekly, which could accumulate to 250 grams a year.

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