The problem with microplastics

Plastics are important materials. They make our lives easier and are often lighter and cost less than other materials. If they are not properly disposed of or recycled, they can persist for long periods in the environment and can also degrade into small pieces that are of concern – microplastics.

This documentary explains the issues with plastics in general, how and why they are used and what the EU is doing to tackle their possible negative effects on our health and the environment.

Watch interviews with leading experts and researchers in the field of microplastics as well as representatives from environmental NGOs and industry who explain their concerns with the use of plastic in our society.

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[grambag]

Thumbs up this!!!
This really matters. Ppl just are so busy obsessed with them selves social media and sex. Sad
Jesus it's time

[boindilzweiklinge]

Beside the fact that a responsible handling of waste - including plastics - is necessary I think it is also necessary to put some criticism on this video:

1. What is it talking about? Plastics or microplastics? Nearly all pictures are showing plastics and not microplastics. Microplastics are defined as particles below 5mm size. The only pictures coming near to this can be seen at 0:19. The terms are mixed constantly during this video.
2. German studies show, that the main source of microplastics are car tyres. It will become interesting to use biodegeradable alternatives on this. Additionally all those people demonising plastics should consider the changes to daily life if such a source should be banned! Are they really ready to accept them?
3. At 6:20 Björn Hansen is mentioning that all those products have been put on the market 20 years ago without microplastics - so it shall be possible. Yes, thats true. At the same time we had cars consuming more petrol, slower computers, less and bigger mobile phones, nearly no LED light bulbs and so on. We call this progress to achieve better performance. How far do we want to roll back the development of civilisation? Back before industrialisation? Such an argument is not really valid.
4. There is no adverse effect of microplastics observable although many scientists are trying to find some. Maybe we should wait for reliable results before taking fearful actions.
5. The statement of Jeroen Dagevos at 7:20 is irritating. Sure many people are not aware of the ingredients daily products have. Who knows about the components and substances in a mobile phone? But are they really shocked? With no adverse effect being observable personally - where is the concern? There are a lot of (food-)products causing much more harm to a lot of people daily (e.g. lactose intolerant people). But I never heard of banning milk products! Objective and reliable statements should always make both sides clear: Possible adverse effects and loss of functionality - only both together make an informed decision possible. Being reduced just to one of these makes the approach manipulative and not informative.

Reducing impact on environment and humans can be achieved by bans, but then we have to consider loss of functionalities. We have to decide about what we really want.
Interestingly many comments below identify "the industry" and "the people in charge" as the reason for "the bad situation". On the other hand: Who shall solve the problems if not the same scientists and technicians?

All in all the video tackles a topic that has to be discussed by society. But it has to be done in an objective way which is not really supported by this video. It is mixing up different topics and uses suggestive examples. A publication by an agency that should be dedicated to scientific evidence and objective and comprehensive information should be less manipulative.

[duggydugg]

plastic from hemp oil has been suggested...

what other bio oils could be made into bio deg plastic ?

is cellophane bio deg ?

[augninth]

Dose the synthetic wax is a kind of microplastics? some products use “synthetic Wax” (such as Fischer-Tropsch Wax, CAS No.8002-74-2) as an alternative.

[francismausley]

"Man is organic with the world. His inner life molds the environment and is itself deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions." ~ Baha'i Faith

[CrazyFunnyCats]

Plastic is made from oil
Tons of products come from oil
Look 👀 it up

[David-dlvj]

If you don't you MUST come from another planet? All you have to do is leave a strip of sticky tape in the middle of your child's room for 1 day then take a look with a cheap jewelers loop. YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY.

[bladerunner]

Are u gonna ban braids they are also plastic

[TheTomahawkRepublic]

Hmm # whats polyester made out of .. what about luffas ? Underwear ? What about the geavy metals problem and the bingo.. ? Just kidding but no, really MICROWAVE RADIATION whoops i meant ovens cooking folks what 🤳? # hand or forehead 📲💉👺🫏

[sofiabergstrom]

why american accent from a European video? I want brittish accent in Europe, america has no place here