2.11 billion
Nanoplastics released from one square centimeter of a plastic container in three minutes of microwaving.
Room 1
Kitchen
- Never heat food in plastic. Microwave and store in glass or stainless steel.
- Replace plastic cutting boards and utensils with wood or stainless steel.
- Choose loose-leaf tea or paper bags over nylon and PET mesh.
- Buy in bulk with your own jars to cut single-use packaging.
~240,000
Plastic particles in an average liter of bottled water, most of them nanoplastics.
Room 2
Water
- Filter your tap water with a carbon block or reverse osmosis system.
- Stop buying bottled water when tap is an option.
- Carry a glass or stainless steel bottle instead of reusable plastic.
700,000+
Microfibers released from a single load of synthetic laundry.
Room 3
Laundry
- Wash cold, in full loads, and skip long, aggressive cycles.
- Air dry instead of tumble drying.
- Catch fibers with a Guppyfriend bag or Cora Ball.
- Choose cotton, wool or hemp when you replace clothes.
Up to 94,500
Plastic microbeads released in a single use of a facial scrub. The US banned them in rinse-off products in 2015; glitter and leave-on products aren’t covered.
Room 4
Bathroom
- Switch to bar soap and shampoo bars in paper packaging.
- Use a stainless steel safety razor instead of disposables.
- Skip glitter and microbead scrubs. Salt, sugar and oats do the same job.
~12,900
Microplastic fibers a person may inhale each year from household dust, based on a study of indoor dust in Australian homes.
Room 5
Cleaning and the rest of the house
- Clean with vinegar and baking soda for most jobs.
- Buy refills and concentrates instead of new spray bottles.
- Use washable cotton cloths instead of synthetic wipes.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap particles in dust.
Beyond your home
Support plastic limits
Support limits on single-use plastic and microplastic pollution.
Buy from transparent brands
Reward companies that list their materials and packaging.
Share what works
Send one guide to someone who asked you about it.