When organic materials like food or wood break down over time, they decompose into natural elements that enrich the earth. Synthetic materials, like plastics, don’t breakdown, or enrich the earth.
Macroplastics are plastics you can see, like plastic bags and water bottles.
Over time, macroplastics start to break down into smaller and smaller pieces, and become microplastics.
Macroplastics
How many years do you think it takes for these items to break down in rivers or oceans?
Drag the years to the correct items:
Microplastics
You’ve just learned that the ocean is full of macroplastics that break down into microplastics — let’s look at how this affects you. Microplastics are toxic substances that end up in the stomachs of seabirds, fish, even in sea salt!
Play the video below to understand more about how plastics break down in rivers and oceans.
LET’S REFLECT…
Now that you’re beginning to see why plastic waste is such a big problem for our planet, let’s reflect:
- Do you think microplastics can be found in the wind, or the rain?
- How do you think it affects you when microplastics end up inside your food?
- How could technology get rid of plastic already in the ocean?