Cutting microplastics at home: kettles, chopping boards, tea bags and laundry

Microplastics are in air, dust, water and food, so no home is free of them. But research over the past few years has pointed to a few household habits that shed noticeably more particles than others. These are the places where a change is easy and cheap.

Heating food in plastic

Heat speeds up the release of particles and chemicals from plastic. Microwaving food in plastic tubs and pouring boiling liquids into plastic containers are the most common examples. Transfer food to glass, ceramic or steel before heating, and let hot food cool before storing it in plastic.

Plastic kettles and baby bottles

Studies have found that plastic kettles and polypropylene bottles can release particles when filled with very hot water, especially when new. A steel or glass kettle avoids the issue. For infant feeding, glass or steel bottles, or cooling boiled water before it touches plastic, are simple precautions; follow your paediatrician's guidance on preparation.

Plastic chopping boards

Every cut in a plastic board scrapes away a little material, and research has estimated that this can add up to a meaningful amount over a year. Wooden boards shed wood fibres instead, which is not a concern in the same way. Keep boards well oiled and dry, and use a separate one for raw meat.

Tea bags

Some tea bags, especially silky 'pyramid' bags, are made of nylon or PET, and steeping them releases particles. Many paper bags are also sealed with a little plastic. Loose-leaf tea with a steel strainer avoids the question entirely and is usually cheaper.

Bottled water

Bottled water has been found to contain particles from the bottle and cap. Filtered tap water in a steel bottle is better for both microplastics and waste, provided your tap water is treated or filtered appropriately for your area.

Laundry

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and acrylic shed fibres in every wash. To reduce it:

• Wash full loads at lower temperatures and shorter cycles
• Use liquid detergent rather than abrasive powder
• Wash synthetics less often; air them between wears
• Consider a microfibre-catching bag or filter (see our comparison)

Dust

Household dust carries fibres and fragments from carpets, furniture and clothes. Damp dusting and a vacuum with a HEPA filter keep it down.

Where to start

If you change only three things, make them these: stop heating food in plastic, replace a plastic kettle when it next needs replacing, and switch to loose-leaf tea. All three are cheap, permanent and take no willpower once done.