Every year we produce 300 million tons of plastic waste. A hallucinatory figure. And a lot of that waste, just ends up in our nature. That in itself is an immense problem since plastic never really disappears. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces, microplastics.

A credit card to microplastics.

Every year, the average person ingests about a credit card worth of plastic, and this phenomenon is largely due to several factors. One of the main causes is the widespread prevalence of plastic in our daily lives.

Some of this plastic waste eventually breaks down into microplastics, which enter our food and drinking water through various routes. Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic objects, wear and tear on tires and clothing, and even microbeads in cosmetics. These tiny particles have become so ubiquitous that they are now even found in products intended for human consumption such as our food.

Microplastics from packaging

A major source of microplastics is plastic packaging materials, including plastic bottles for beverages such as soft drinks. In the Netherlands alone, millions of plastic bottles are used each year, much of which ends up as litter or ends up in the waste stream. This plastic waste is then broken down into microplastics by factors such as sunlight, waves and mechanical wear and tear.

It is disturbing to consider that we are unintentionally exposed to these microplastics through our food and drinking water, which pose potential health risks. Clearly, urgent action is needed to combat this and reduce our reliance on disposable plastics. Reusable alternatives, such as refillable drinking bottles, are an essential part of the solution to reducing the amount of plastic we consume and its impact on the environment.

Microplastics in the Netherlands

There are several studies and reports that provide figures on the presence of microplastics in the Netherlands. Here are some key findings:

1. Drinking water: According to a 2019 report by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Dutch drinking water contains microplastics. The study identified microplastics in 10 of the 12 drinking water sources studied.
2. Surface water: The RIVM study also found that microplastics are widespread in Dutch surface water. They are found in rivers, canals and lakes.
3. Soil: Microplastics are also found in soil. A study conducted by Wageningen University showed that microplastics are found in Dutch soil samples, both in rural and urban areas.
4. Air: Even the air contains microplastics. A study conducted by the Free University of Amsterdam found that microplastics enter the atmosphere and eventually precipitate on land and in water.

What are the effects of microplastics on your health?

The ubiquity, large quantities and persistent exposure to microplastics are ringing alarm bells loudly. And then comes the key question: how do these plastic particles affect your health? Unfortunately, that remains unclear and requires more research. What scientists do agree on are the three ways plastic particles harm your health:

1. The microplastics in your body from eating, drinking and inhaling them can make you sick
2. Plastic carries chemicals linked to hormone-sensitive cancers, infertility and disorders of brain development such as ADHD and autism
3. Plastic particles can attract disease-causing bacteria in the environment. If they end up in your body, they increase the risk of infection

Be part of the Refillution

With Dripl's Refill Point, a sustainable drink dispenser, you keep plastic containers far out of the picture. The principle is simple: you put down your glass or reusable bottle and select flat or sparkling water. If you want, you add a flavour concentrate. Are you and your company ready for Refillution?

‍