Breaking apart: making microplastics

Breaking apart: making microplastics

Breaking apart: making microplastics Over time, these processes work together to fragment the plastic into increasingly smaller pieces. As the plastic breaks down, it becomes easier for marine animals to mistake these particles for food, potentially harming their health and entering the food chain. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in size. They form when larger plastic items, such as bottles, bags, or even a crisp packet, break down due to environmental factors. This breakdown occurs through several processes: