Plastic (synthetic material) is ubiquitous today. We find it in packaging, clothing, cars, phones, medical equipment, cosmetics, and cleaning products. It is difficult to imagine modern life without plastics.
And it’s no wonder. Plastic is lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and can be molded into almost any shape. This is a huge advantage in manufacturing, transport, medicine, and the food industry.
However, the problem begins when a plastic product has served its purpose.
Because the very characteristic for which we value plastic—its durability—becomes its biggest problem once discarded. Packaging, film, or a used plastic component does not simply disappear just because we stop using it.
According to an analysis published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the global plastic recycling rate remains low, at approximately 9%. This means that most plastic, after use, ends up being incinerated, in landfills, or—in the worst case—in the environment [1].
And there, the next stage of its story begins.
Where does microplastic come from?
Microplastic refers to very small plastic particles. They can originate from many everyday sources: packaging, agricultural films, synthetic clothing, abrading tires, paints, technical components, or plastic waste left in the environment.
Some microplastics are formed as small particles from the outset. This is known as primary microplastic.
More often, however, we encounter secondary microplastics. These form when a larger piece of plastic breaks, crumbles, and disintegrates into progressively smaller fragments over time.
This can be compared to an old plastic bag that lies in the sun for a long time. First, it loses its elasticity, then it begins to crack, and finally, it breaks down into tiny pieces.
Many factors influence this process: sunlight, oxygen, temperature, friction, water, and mechanical damage. Plastic left in the environment does not disappear immediately. It often simply breaks down into increasingly smaller particles.
Studies on common plastics such as LDPE, PP, PS, and PET show that the combination of chemical aging and mechanical damage can significantly increase the formation of microparticles [2].
And that is precisely why microplastic is such a challenging topic. It is not one specific substance. It is an entire group of particles that can differ in composition, size, shape, origin, and what is found on their surface.
A particle from a PET bottle behaves differently from a fragment of polyethylene packaging, and a particle originating from an abrading tire behaves differently still.
Although the problem of plastic pollution is global in nature, modern contract manufacturing and ecodesign principles allow for a more responsible approach to product and packaging design. This includes reducing the amount of plastic used, selecting materials that facilitate recycling, and minimizing the carbon footprint during production and distribution. A prime example of this approach is our innovative OptiCycle line, developed specifically for products that align with the principles of the circular economy.
Why is microplastic difficult to study?
At first glance, it might seem simple: we take a sample of water, soil, or sediment and check how much microplastic it contains.
In practice, it is much more complicated.
The test result depends on many details: where the sample was taken, how it was stored, how it was prepared, how the particles were separated, and what method was used to identify them.
Therefore, microplastic research requires great caution. It is not enough to look at a sample and say, “there is plastic here.” Specialized laboratory methods are needed.
Scientists use techniques such as FTIR, Raman, and pyrolysis-GC/MS, among others. It sounds complicated, but in a great simplification, the goal is to determine the type of plastic from which a given particle originates and its composition [3].
It’s a bit like identifying the material of clothing. We might suspect something is cotton or polyester by eye, but precise confirmation requires specific analysis. The same applies to microplastics.
An additional problem is that microplastic particles are not “clean.” As they travel through the environment, they can accumulate various substances on their surface: heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, drug residues, or microorganisms.
In other words, microplastic can act somewhat like a small “bus” for other pollutants. The plastic particle itself is a problem, but what it can carry with it is also important.
In scientific literature, this is sometimes described as the “Trojan horse” effect. A plastic particle may not just be a passive waste product. It can participate in the transport of other substances in the environment [4].
This mechanism still requires further research, but it is already known today that microplastic should not be judged solely “by eye.”
Microplastic is not just an ocean problem
When we hear about plastic in the environment, we often think of oceans. We see images of bottles, fishing nets, plastic bags, and marine animals entangled in waste.
This is an important problem. But not the only one.
Microplastic also enters rivers, lakes, sewage, air, sediments, and soil. It can be transported by water, wind, dust, and living organisms.
Microplastic can enter the human body mainly through two routes: the digestive system (eating and drinking) or the respiratory system (inhaling small particles present in the air) [4].
However, this does not mean that every microplastic particle automatically causes illness. Here, common sense and scientific integrity must be maintained.
Laboratory studies show that small plastic particles can affect living organisms. They can be associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and impacts on the respiratory, digestive, metabolic, and cardiovascular systems, among others [4].
Consumers are increasingly opting for single-dose formats, such as laundry capsules primarily for their convenience and precise dosing. However, for these products, responsible packaging design becomes particularly critical. Small, non-standard, or multi-material components can be more difficult to detect and process in traditional sorting systems. This is why it is worth choosing solutions made from mono-materials, such as a standardized laundry capsule jar which facilitates subsequent recycling and reduces the risk of material loss in the waste stream.
This does not mean we should panic. Rather, it means the problem must be taken seriously and further investigated.
Why is soil so important?
For many years, the discussion about microplastics focused mainly on water bodies and oceans. Meanwhile, soil is equally important.
Soil is not just “the ground beneath our feet.” It is a living system. It contains plant roots, bacteria, fungi, minerals, water, and organic matter. All of this forms a delicate network of dependencies.
Microplastic can enter the soil from many sources: agricultural films, sewage sludge, composts, mulches, fertilizers, packaging, dust, and airborne pollutants.
And once it is there, it can affect soil properties. It can alter its structure, porosity, water retention capacity, pH, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling [6].
More simply put: microplastic in the soil can affect how the soil “breathes,” how it retains water, and how it supports plant growth.
This is particularly important in agriculture. If the soil is disturbed, it can indirectly affect crop health, nutrient availability, and the life of microorganisms essential for plants.
In agricultural soils, the problem can be even more complex, as microplastic can occur together with other pollutants: residues of medicines, antibiotics, plant protection products, or metals.
And the environment rarely operates according to a simple scheme of “one substance—one effect.” In the real world, various pollutants can coexist and interact with each other [5].
“Bio” does not always mean problem-free
On packaging, we increasingly see words like: “bio,” “biodegradable,” “compostable,” “eco.” They sound good. They are associated with something safe and environmentally friendly.
But these concepts do not mean the same thing.
A bio-based material is one that is partially or entirely made from renewable resources, such as plants.
A biodegradable material is one that can be broken down by microorganisms.
One effective way to reduce the amount of plastic introduced to the market is through the use of refill systems. In this area, Doypack packaging performs exceptionally well. Thanks to their flexible design, they can use up to 70% less plastic than traditional, rigid bottles of the same capacity. This translates into a lighter packaging weight, lower waste volume, and greater transportation efficiency.
A compostable material is a material that meets specific decomposition requirements under defined composting conditions.
And here’s an important point: “biodegradable” does not mean that you can throw such a product anywhere, and it will quickly disappear without a trace.
The fact that something is described as “bio” or “biodegradable” does not automatically mean it is entirely neutral for the environment.
Conditions are of paramount importance. Decomposition in an industrial composting facility differs from that in a home compost bin, and even more so from decomposition in a forest, soil, river, or roadside.
Before it decomposes, a biodegradable product can also affect soil, microorganisms, and plants for some time.
Therefore, biodegradability should not be confused with a lack of risk. It is an important material characteristic, but not a magical solution to all problems [6].
Simply put: even a “better” material must be properly designed, used, and managed after use.
What can an ordinary consumer do?
Consumers do not need to know laboratory methods or the names of all plastics. They do not need to know what FTIR, Raman, or pyrolysis-GC/MS are.
But they can make sensible decisions.
The most significant impact comes from simple actions: reducing single-use products, choosing reusable packaging, proper waste segregation, not discarding plastic into the environment, sensible use of synthetic textiles, and a cautious approach to marketing slogans like “bio,” “eco,” or “biodegradable.”
It is also worth remembering that not all plastic is the same. A PET bottle, film, cosmetic packaging, a car component, and a fiber from clothing are different materials that can have different properties and different recycling possibilities.
Therefore, a good habit is to check the markings on the packaging and dispose of waste where it should go.
Even the best material will not fulfill its environmental role if it ends up in the wrong place after use.
The most important conclusion
Microplastic is changing the way we should think about plastics.
It’s not a simple story: plastic is bad, and everything “bio” is good. The reality is more complex.
A well-designed plastic can be very useful. It can reduce food waste, protect products, improve safety, and limit resource consumption.
But a poorly chosen, poorly used, or poorly managed material can become a source of long-term pollution.
Therefore, the future does not belong to products that merely look ecological. It belongs to those that are designed responsibly: technologically, environmentally, and with honest communication.
Because microplastic is small.
But the consequences of our material decisions can be very significant.
Cited publications
[1] Houssini, K., Li, J., Tan, Q. Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis. Communications Earth & Environment 2025, 6, 257.
[2] Arredondo-Navarro, A., Gallardo-Owens, D., Scott, J., Farias, S., Wang, X., Cochran, W., El Hayek, E., Minghetti, M., Cerrato, J. M., Gonzalez-Estrella, J. Thermal oxidation, ultraviolet radiation, and mechanical abrasion — understanding mechanisms of microplastic generation and chemical transformation. Microplastics and Nanoplastics, 2026, 6, 26.
[3] Mahmud, F., Roy, H., Wasif, M. M., Mahmud, A., Saikat, M. N., Haque, A., Lopez-Maldonado, E. A., Baki, A. B., Islam, M. S. Recent perspectives of microplastic analysis from sampling to characterization. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 2025, 12, 100290.
[4] Ali, N., Katsouli, J., Auyang, E., Bernardino de la Serna, J. Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution and associated potential disease risks. The Lancet Planetary Health, 2025, 9, 101390.
[5] Shabib, A., Maraqa, M. A., Rezanezhad, F., Shah, I., Bhat, M. A. Pharmaceutical-microplastic interactions in soil environments: a critical review of emerging co-contamination dynamics. Environmental Sciences Europe, 2026, 38, 46.
[6] Pelko, T., Jemec Kokalj, A., Regvar, M., Dermastia, M., Vogel-Mikuš, K. When “biodegradable” is not benign: Microplastic-driven disruption of soil processes and plant-microbe interactions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2026, 510, 142138.
