That’s the thing, when people hear the term micro they still (for some reason) assume its something they can see with their naked eyes. Kind of like those plastic pellets put into handsoaps a while back that are now band.
In reality microplastics are everywhere there is plastic, and they are released all the time at a microscopic level. Meaning you actually need a microscope to see them. Its like a fine dust.
Now think of all the plastic items you use and come in contact with.
Toothbrushes for example, each time you brush your teeth the brisels break down at a microscopic level and are released. The plastic utensils you use either in the kitchen on your pans, or the single use ones for food, they all slowly release plastics. That plastic cutting board, or boiling water in a plastic kettle, yup they all also release plastic.
Pretty much everything breaks down at a microscopic level, that is how knives become dull, or how items show wear and tear over time.
Mad Men the picnic scene.
Littering wasn’t a concern back then. When Don casually tossed the can aside, I was astonished and confused. Then to make matters worse, Betty shakes off the rubbish from the picnic blanket onto the ground before heading to the car. Not a care in the world at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roREnVhd_og
Try to do the same today and a park would be filled with plastic wrappers in a few days.