Plastic is everywhere - including up to a credit card's worth in your stomach each week

Published: 
Listen to this article

A recent study commissioned by WWF found that we could be ingesting up to 5 grams a week, mostly from water

Young Post Reporter |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

Experts urge Hong Kong schools to join flu vaccine scheme

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol detained

Hong Kong Gen Z anxiety rates soar, study calls for emotional education

US ‘TikTok refugees’ flee to China’s Xiaohongshu

People might be ingesting up to five grams of plastic a week, a study revealed on Wednesday. The study by Australia's University of Newcastle was commissioned by global conservation body WWF International.

The study said the largest source of plastic ingestion was drinking water, and the average person could be consuming 1,769 particles of plastic every week from water alone.

In the United States, for example, 94.4 per cent of tap water samples contained plastic fibres, with an average of 9.6 fibres per litre.

Hong Kong teens come up with novel ideas to clear ocean pollution

Companies are trying to become greener as consumers become increasingly aware of the impact of plastic, with millions of tonnes of food packaging and bottles ending up in landfills and oceans each year.

The world's biggest yogurt maker Danone and food packaging giant Tetra Pak are among companies leading a global scheme to reduce plastic waste as public concern rises over the environmental damage caused by rubbish.

The 3R Initiative aims to reduce, recover and recycle more plastic waste by helping companies measure and reach pollution-cutting goals.

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment