Microbeads
Posted by Peter MUIR
A recent post on this blog highlighted the new video about the story of microdbeads. Microbeads are very small pieces of plastic found in many regularly used household products such as toothpaste and facial creams. These tiny balls of plastic do biodegraded, and as such remain in our natural ecosystems – mainly in our waterways as that is where they end up after being washed down our sinks. Microbeads are found in increasing numbers in seas and marine organisms – and yes, if they end up in fish, and you eat fish, they can end up inside you!
So, every time you brush your teeth or wash your face, you are more than likely polluting our environment!
Some European-based NGOs have developed an App that allows consumers to scan personal care products with their smartphone to check for the presence of plastic microbeads. Not only can this App help us be more ethical consumers, it also provides us with an example of the use of technology in Community Engagement. What App could you design to help make the changes we need in our communities?
