Microplastics are often seen as an ocean problem, but they are much closer to us than we might think. They are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and many products we use every day.
According to the European Environment Agency, 0.75–2 million tonnes of microplastics were unintentionally released into the EU environment in 2022, an increase compared to recent years. At this scale, one thing is clear: clean-up alone is not enough. Prevention is essential.
Most microplastics originate from everyday systems we rely on, including:
- paint weathering from buildings and infrastructure
- tyre wear from road transport
- plastic pellet losses during production and transport
- fibres released from synthetic textiles
Reducing these emissions requires action at multiple levels—from raising awareness in schools and communities to providing practical knowledge for households and professionals. Education plays a key role in turning knowledge into real change.
To support this transition, our Erasmus+ project EDU4PlastiCircular is developing open, practical learning resources on plastics and microplastics in the circular and climate-neutral economy. Through our website, we share educational materials, insights, and tools that help educators, professionals, and communities better understand and prevent microplastic pollution.
Explore the resources on our website:
https://microplastics.today/
When knowledge turns into action, prevention becomes possible.