Michigan’s First-Ever Microplastics Awareness Week Kicks Off

Michigan just kicked off its first-ever Microplastics Awareness Week. Seriously, it’s about time we start talking about all the tiny bits of plastic showing up in our lakes, rivers, and even the air we breathe. Not to mention all the tiny particles inside our own bodies.

Microplastics are those teeny tiny pieces of plastic, smaller than a grain of rice, that come from bottles, bags, clothing fibers, and other stuff that breaks down over time. The problem is, they never really disappear...ever. They just get smaller and spread farther, winding up in fish, drinking water, and even our food. The sad part is, this has been going on for many, many years.

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According to Wood TV, now through October 26, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting cleanups, online discussions, and educational events to help people learn how to reduce plastic pollution. There’s also a virtual Great Lakes Microplastics Summit on October 22 that will bring together researchers and community members to talk about protecting Michigan’s waterways.

According to EGLE, around 10,000 metric tons of plastic enter the Great Lakes every year. Over time, it all breaks down into microplastics that stick around forever. Scientists are still figuring out what this means for people and wildlife, but it’s probably not great.

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While there isn’t much we can do on our own, small changes like using less plastic whenever possible or picking up litter when we see it can actually make a difference. It’s not going to fix the problem overnight, but, hey, it’s a start.