Microplastics are plastic pieces smaller than 5mm that come from two sources: primary microplastics which are originally manufactured at small sizes, and secondary microplastics which are broken down from larger plastic debris. They enter the environment through deterioration of plastic waste, release from products like scrubs, and accidental loss from industry. Microplastics are mistaken for food by marine animals and can accumulate up food chains, releasing harmful chemicals as they break down. Studies found thousands of microplastic pieces per liter in some bottled water brands tested. Eco bricks made by packing waste plastic tightly in bottles provide a way to reuse plastic waste for construction.

1. Microplastics

2. Microplastics
“Any plastic materials which measure less than
5mm in diameter are termed as
Microplastics.”

3. Classification of Microplastics
• Primary Microplastics:
They already are smaller in and are produced
for external human use.
• Secondary Microplastics:
They occur as a result of the breakdown of
large plastic debris

5. Sources of Microplastics
• deterioration of larger plastic
fragments, over time, by
UV radiation, mechanical forces
in the seas, or through
biological activity
• direct release of micro particles
(e.g. scrubs and abrasives in
household and personal care
products) into waterways.
• accidental loss of industrial raw
materials (e.g. prefabricated
plastics in the form of powders),

6. Microplastics in Food Chain

7. Impacts
• Fish mistake them for plankton –
leading them to die of
undernourishment or constipation
• Many other animals on the marine food
chain ingest them as well
• Plastics can sink to the sea floor,
affecting sediment dwelling species
• When plastic is exposed to UV rays in
water, it releases harmful chemical
compounds not found in nature (BPA)

9. WHO Study
• Analysis of 259 bottles
from 19 locations in nine
countries across 11
different brands found an
average of 325 plastic
particles for every litre of
water being sold.
• The most common type of
plastic fragment found was
polypropylene – the same
type of plastic used to
make bottle caps.

10. A colourful microfibre of plastic found in bottled water.

11. In one bottle of Nestlé Pure Life, concentrations
were as high as 10,000 plastic pieces per litre
of water.
Of the 259 bottles tested, only 17 were free of
plastics, according to the study.

13. Eco Bricks; A Solution to Pollution

14. • An Ecobrick is a plastic bottle
packed tight with used, clean
and dry plastic to create a
building block that can be used
over and over again.
• Ecobricks can also be packed
with other non-biological ‘waste’
that are toxic to the environment
(i.e. styrofoam, wires, small
batteries, etc.). .

16. Ecobricks are used
to make modular
furniture, garden
spaces, walls and
even full scale
buildings.