Microplastics: Research Needed, Underway
This article explores the conversations on microplastics from different source. This article is by a plastic manufacturers organization that currently profits on the production of plastic products.
Microplastics are plastic particles, generally considered a subset of plastic debris, characterized by size: from 5 millimeters (mm) down to the nanometer range.
“Primary” microplastics refer to intentionally produced plastic materials of this small size, such as plastic pellets sold to companies across the globe. Some are intentionally added to products to enhance function or require fewer active ingredients, including fertilizers, crop protection products, paints and advanced drug delivery systems.
“Secondary” microplastics result from the degradation of larger plastic materials and represent the majority of microplastics in the environment. Tires, synthetic textiles, mismanaged waste, city dust, road markings, marine coatings, fishing nets and litter have been identified as sources of secondary microplastics. (Plastic Makers)
The general terminology and definitions used here, is correct to the current scientific understanding.
Have plastic makers responded to the need for research on microplastics? Yes. We are supporting multiple, collaborative streams of research underway around the globe to increase scientific understanding.
The research is foundational – it’s designed to create standards and protocols that will inform future research to create reliable, useful data.
This ongoing research is being shared among academic, regulatory and industry scientists under the Microplastics Advanced Research and Innovation Initiative. (Plastic Makers)
They are collaborating with the scientific community and looking for ways to improve the current practices. Still there are many blanks in our current research that need to be filled about the long-term effects of microplastic.
The best way to reduce microplastics is to keep plastics out of our ocean/environment in the first place. America’s Plastic Makers support enhanced product stewardship that can help reduce the flow of microplastics into our environment.
For example:We promote continuous improvement in plastic pellet stewardship by exploring more sustainable systems to enhance pellet control (Plastic Makers)
They want to keep plastic out of our environment which is a step in the right direction. But the best way to limit microplastics would be to stop the unnecessary rapid-fire production of individual use items. Reduce comes before reuse and recycle for a reason.
We have invested billions of dollars in advanced and mechanical recycling technologies that can help recover more of the plastic that is not being recycled today, helping prevent the formation of microplastics. These investments help create a more circular economy for plastic, in which plastic is reused instead of discarded. (Plastic Makers)
It is encouraging to see that plastic manufactures are open to a circular economy in theory, but such a large shift in practice will require a lot of patience and planning.
“Microplastics: Research Needed, Underway.” Plastic Makers, 2025, plasticmakers.org/microplastics/.
