Plastic was invented in the 1860s. It is a versatile synthetic material that has taken various forms such as containers, bags, and PET bottles, and has been used for a wide range of applications. Due to its durability and long lifespan, plastic is resistant to decomposition in nature, unlike wood, paper, or metal. By the 1960s, over 100 years after its invention, plastic pollution leaking into the environment became a significant issue.

In the 1970s, plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm were discovered, raising concerns about their impact on ecosystems. These tiny plastic particles were named "microplastics" in 2004, leading to increased public awareness. More recently, particles even smaller than 1 micrometer (one thousandth of a millimeter), known as "nanoplastics," have been discovered. These pose concerns not only for the environment but also for human health. Plastic pollution has gradually evolved and continued to progress in different forms.

Nanoplastics have been found in extreme environments such as Antarctica, the deep sea, and high altitudes, indicating that pollution from microscopic plastic particles is pervasive across the entire planet. Even food products manufactured under controlled conditions are not exempt. According to a study published in a U.S. academic journal in January 2024, it was discovered that an average of about 240,000 plastic particles are present in one liter of mineral water.

This finding, which emerged from detailed testing using lasers that expanded the scope to include nanoplastics, reveals that pollution may be up to 100 times greater than previously studied microplastics. Additionally, research from around the world has shown that nanoplastic pollution is progressing in various human organs such as the lungs and stomach, as well as in blood, placentas, and breast milk.

Plastic pollution is already spreading through nature and organisms, and the concerns now focus on its effects. Media has long reported on the visible impacts of pollution. You may have seen images of marine life consuming plastic instead of food or wild birds trapped by fishing lines.
However, what is even more frightening are the invisible effects. Synthetic plastics contain various additives depending on their use, such as antioxidants, UV absorbers, and plasticizers to make them softer. Some of these additives include environmental hormones that can affect the human body.

Research from various countries has suggested a range of potential impacts, including effects on cardiovascular diseases, disruption of gut microbiota, decreased reproductive function, and even diminished learning and memory abilities. Including the effects on non-human animals and ecosystems, the invisible threats could be even more widespread.

There are mainly two factors contributing to the generation of microplastics. One is the use of industrial products like microbeads, and the other is the release or disposal of items such as PET bottles, food containers, and plastic bags into the environment or through landfilling.

At the 2016 Davos Conference, a warning was issued about plastic waste. The total amount of plastic discharged into the oceans globally reaches 8 million tons annually, and at this rate, it is predicted that by 2050, the amount of plastic in the oceans could surpass the total biomass of fish. However, only about 9% of the plastic produced to date has been recycled.

Against the backdrop of worsening environmental conditions, efforts to reduce plastic are advancing in countries around the world. In the EU, which is working together to address environmental issues, a law banning the distribution of single-use plastic products was passed in 2019. Regulations on utensils and containers such as cutlery, straws, and cups began in 2017, with a clear target to achieve a 90% collection rate for plastic bottles by 2029.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a "National Recycling Strategy" in 2021. The strategy aims for a 50% recycling rate for plastics by 2030 and is focused on solving plastic issues through restrictions on usage and technological development. Similarly, major countries like China and India have strengthened management and regulations to reduce plastic waste since the 2020s.

Moreover, individual actions play a crucial role in reducing plastic waste. Daily actions such as "reducing plastic use" and "committing to recycling" gradually improve the future. We must work together to break the negative cycle.