‘Microscopic pieces of plastic have been discovered in the most remote locations, from the depths of the ocean to Arctic ice.
But these microplastics are also entering our bodies, from the plastic-infused water that we drink and the marine life that we consume as food.
Now, Reuters has illustrated our plastic consumption over various periods of time, based on findings from a WWF report earlier this year.
The study combined data from over 50 studies on the ingestion of microplastics – defined as plastic particles under five millimetres in size.
The images are a shocking illustration of how much plastic we’re eating without even knowing it – and the rate of ingestion could get worse without government action.
Every week, we’re consuming nearly 2,000 tiny pieces of plastic.
This equates to 5 grams, the same as a credit card, and about the same weight as a plastic bottle cap.
It’s also enough plastic to fill a porcelain soup spoon, as illustrated by Reuters.
According to the WWF study, an average person potentially consumes 1,769 particles of plastic per week from water alone.
The study also found that 182 particles are consumed through shellfish, 11 from salt and 10 from beer per week – reaching a total of 1,972. ‘
