Overview

Plastics

Polymers that chemically consist of long chains or rings of multiple repeating units of small, reactive molecules called monomers.

Feedstock for plastic production: Petrochemicals from fossil fuels such as petroleum or natural gas. Plastics can be grouped into two main polymer families:

• Thermoplastics: polyethylene (eg, packaging); polypropylene (eg, carpet fibers); and polyvinyl chloride (eg, floor and wall coverings).
• Thermosetting plastics: silicone, polyester, and epoxy.

Microplastics

Plastic particles <5 mm in size Increasingly found in the environment*.

Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use such as cosmetics, or microfibre shed from clothing. Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles or single use plastic bags left in the environment.

Nanoplastics

Plastic particles < 0.1 mm in size. May be released into the environment directly or form due to the fragmentation of larger particles.