Microplastics: What, Where & Why

At Scarlet Destiny, sustainability isn't a checkbox, it’s a core belief. It’s a reminder that the choices we make ripple far beyond ourselves, shaping the world our future selves, and future generations, will inherit. We believe deeply in the interconnectedness of all life, and that every material thing we use, create, or consume leaves an imprint on something greater than us. When we talk about sustainable living, we’re not just talking about the latest eco buzzword. We're talking about spiritual responsibility. Ethical accountability. Living consciously and fully awake in a world that too often encourages disconnection.

This is exactly why we’re shining a spotlight on one of the most pressing and invisible threats to our planet’s health: microplastic pollution. Microplastics are not just an environmental issue, they are a human issue. A planetary issue. A cosmic issue. From the water we sip to the air we breathe, these invisible particles have quietly embedded themselves into every crevice of our existence. And unless we begin to wake up, collectively and urgently, they will continue to infiltrate the very systems we rely on to live. This is a crisis of awareness. And awareness is where change begins.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimetres in size, some are so small they're invisible to the naked eye. They’re born from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or are manufactured intentionally, often added to everyday items like cosmetics, clothing, or cleaning products.

But here’s the chilling truth: these tiny fragments aren’t just staying where they were born. They are everywhere. They’ve been found in the deepest ocean trenches and the highest mountain peaks. In sea salt. In soil. In bottled water. In our food. And now, even in our bloodstreams, and according to recent studies and reports from The Guardian, in our brains. This isn’t a far-off problem. It’s happening inside of us.

Where Microplastics Can Be Found

The unsettling reality is that microplastics are no longer limited to polluted rivers or oceans. They're present in our homes, diets, and daily habits:

• Water: Microplastics have been found in both bottled and tap water. A 2024 study revealed that a single litre of bottled water can contain up to 400,000 plastic particles, many of which may come directly from the plastic bottle itself.

• Air: These particles float invisibly through the air, landing on our skin and being inhaled with every breath.

• Soil: Agricultural sludge used as fertiliser has contaminated millions of acres of farmland with microplastics and "forever chemicals" like PFAS.

• Food: Microplastics have been detected in seafood, salt, honey, sugar, fruits, vegetables, and even beer. Some crops, like carrots and radishes, absorb them more than leafy greens.

• The human body: Research has detected microplastics in our blood, placentas, lungs, and most recently, the brain.

This means every moment we interact with our environment, we are also interacting, often unknowingly, with plastic. Have a think, did you just take a sip of water?

Why It Matters So Much

Science is still trying to fully grasp the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure, but early signs are deeply concerning. These particles may carry toxic chemicals and disrupt our endocrine system, cause inflammation, interfere with cognitive function, and even contribute to hormone-related cancers.

But even if the physical impact were still a mystery, there’s a deeper, more philosophical impact at play. Microplastics are the result of a culture of convenience. A world that prizes disposability over durability. Mass production over mindful creation. Fast fashion, fast food, fast packaging — all at the cost of slow, intentional living. At Scarlet Destiny, we believe in reclaiming slowness as a form of resistance. Resistance to the systems that encourage blind consumption. Resistance to the harm that comes from placing profit above people and the planet.

What Are We Doing About It?

Many brands and manufacturers now tout “biodegradable” or “compostable” plastics as the solution. But here’s the truth: not all biodegradables are created equal. In some cases, so-called biodegradable plastics just break down into smaller microplastics, perpetuating the very problem they claim to solve. A plastic bag left in soil for three years may appear to disappear, but at a microscopic level, the pollution persists. That’s why transparency and accountability, not just green labels, are vital in navigating the path forward.

In recent years, the EU and UK have taken steps toward regulation:

• A plastics strategy introduced in 2018 pushed for higher recycling rates and restrictions on lightweight plastic bags.

• Bans have been placed on many single-use plastics and oxo-degradable plastics, which are known to fragment into microplastics.

• The EU has called for an elimination of intentionally added microplastics in products like cosmetics and detergents.

These are steps in the right direction. But is it enough? Honestly, not yet. The scale of this issue demands not just policy, but radical transformation in our systems of production, packaging, and personal consumption. It also requires a shift in consciousness, from passive consumers to active stewards of the planet.


Microplastic pollution is not just a scientific dilemma or an environmental crisis. It is a wake-up call. A spiritual moment. A reminder that our material world is inseparable from our emotional, physical, and planetary health. This is not about guilt or shame, it’s about agency. About recognising that we are powerful. That we are capable of change. That the choices we make every day, what we wear, what we eat, how we consume, can either feed the problem or shape the solution.

Scarlet Destiny is here to remind you: you are not too small to make a difference. In fact, like microplastics, it’s the smallest things that often have the biggest impact. Let’s choose impact with intention.

Change starts with awareness, and awareness starts with community. Sign up for our newsletter to join the Scarlet Destiny movement and receive thoughtful updates on conscious fashion, future living, and what’s next. Let’s continue the conversation on Instagram @scarletsdestiny_official — we’re building something bold, and we’d love you in it.

Sources: europarl.europa.eu, bbc.com
Images sourced on canva.com