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How dangerous the plastic particles really are for us


When carelessly thrown away plastic or to-go packaging decomposes, small pieces of plastic come off unnoticed. This decomposition is driven by UV radiation from the sun, salt, temperatures or even the friction of waves in bodies of water. As a rule, microplastics are plastic smaller than five millimeters, which makes it not recognizable to humans.

When it rains, this is then flushed from the road into the sewage system or directly into the environment, so that sooner or later it ends up in our oceans via the water cycle. Marine life, birds and other animals then ingest this microplastic with food or when breathing, whereby the plastic is only partially excreted and can cause damage to the animals' growth and organs, for example.

How can I use less plastic in everyday life?

Avoiding plastic can be extremely difficult, as we know all too well. But there are a few simple everyday tricks that you can use to easily reduce your plastic consumption:

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The be-all and end-all when it comes to (plastic) waste is still the separation of the waste. After all, the probability that waste that has been properly disposed of and, ideally, correctly separated, will not end up in the environment is a lot higher. And when it comes to shopping, too, the solution is so close at hand: we think the plastic bag has had its day once and for all. Shirt bags for fruit and vegetables? Fresh net is announced! For the price of a double pack, you will eat one less cucumber next time, but buy the next but one sustainably from now on! And cloth bags, rucksacks or the fashionable Porsche Hack when you go shopping for the week are sustainable alternatives that are easily worth the investment. As of today, shopping in bulk stores no longer allows excuses like “the tomatoes were only made of plastic”.

Of course, the best and most sustainable solution is still to avoid plastic wherever possible. For example, fewer pellets have to be produced, which can also pollute the environment. Buying bulky goods and giving preference to plastic-free products are a start here.