First of all, we need to understand what is "microplastic"?

Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm in diameter.

Will the plastic cosmetic packaging we usually use cause "microplastic" pollution?

My answer is YES, but not the main ones, the sources of microplastics entering the environment are:

The textile fibers of clothes fall off directly during the washing process, and the proportion of entering the water and sea reaches 35%;
The plastics that are worn off from the tires during the driving of the car account for 28%;
All kinds of plastic products in the environment, including plastic dust produced by shoe sole wear, reached 24%.
Road marking materials, marine paint, these are not the main sources of microplastics, plastic microbeads in cosmetics, including abrasive particles in toothpaste, account for 2% of all sources

Sewage treatment plants, industrial wastewater and areas polluted by tire wear have been identified as significant sources of microplastic pollution (UBA)

Control measures

The best way is to deal with it at the source

For us, the best way is to find other environmentally friendly materials that can replace plastics, such as bio-based materials, bamboo wood, glass, paper, etc.

Of course, due to cost and various reasons, when we have to use plastic containers, we should do a good job of sorting garbage to avoid random discarding. Although most plastic packaging cannot be degraded, it can already be recycled. We are working hard make the environment better