Over here at MyCup we are very passionate about plastic free alternatives. And, not only for periods but for everyday items that will prevent microplastics from entering our oceans.
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces smaller than 5 millimeters long, often unable to be seen by the naked eye. They pose a serious health risk to birds, marine life and humans.
Did you know that micro-plastics in your clothes could be one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution? Every time you wash your clothes tiny particles of plastic wash away and enter our waterways, ending up in our oceans. The ocean currents move the plastic around, breaking it down into even smaller particles. These pieces can end up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) in the Pacific Ocean – This is 3 times the size of France!
Particularly interesting to me is microplastic found in SEA SALT!
The latest studies show that sea salt can tell us what the plastic pollution levels are in any marine environment. This study claims that 90% of sea salt contains microplastics. So any company that produces salt from a contaminated body of ocean consequently leads to plastic in the salt you use at home. (See video below)
Some other products that contains a microplastics are:
- synthetic clothing (check your labels!)
- Tennis balls
- Laundry/dishwasher pods
- Cigarette butts
- Glitter
- Tea bags
- Wet wipes
- Takeaway cups/food packaging
- Chewing Gum
- Sea Salt
- 3 Every day foods
You can be part of the change to #endperiodplastic as well as the #lesswastemovement by making small changes to what you buy. Here are a few suggestions:
- buy 100% natural fabrics (cotton/hemp/rayon)
- Buy loose tea (you wont “taste” the tea bag anymore)
- Use washable cotton wipes/dishcloths
- Use-you-own Coffee Cup / Takeaway Plates / Cutlery
- Use reusable period products (avoid synthetic fibers in period underwear and pads if you can as these contain micro-plastics)
- Find salt from a plastic-free source
- Find a plastic free glitter alternative
- Give up chewing gum
- Use natural dishwashing/laundry powders (make your own!)
You are helping inspire sustainable changes by reducing #periodplastic pollution. You are part of an EPIC #lesswaste movement which has a huge impact on our environment.