heading
“Ceasing Microbeads Invasion” is a high school research project aiming at spreading awareness and educating students about marine microbead pollution to bring upon a change in the consumption behavior of the growing youth. The project has been carried out with a series of surveys, educational workshops and provides alternative solutions for products containing microbeads. It also includes an app called “microbead radar” that has been developed to check for the presence of microbeads in commercial products. If 1% of the population uses the app and stops the use of products containing microbeads, then up to 28.8 trillion plastic microbeads can be prevented from entering the ocean. It is the small actions that make a huge impact.
This is how I came up with the idea for this project:When I first started using face washes and scrubs, I wondered what the tiny particles were made up of. I researched and learned that these were microbeads which are microplastics. It made me ponder how many other teenagers unknowingly use such products contributing to marine pollution.
Documentation
Ceasing Microbeads Invasion Ceasing Microbeads Invasion: A movement for responsible consumerism in high schools to raise awareness on marine microbeads/plastic pollution, combined with a novel Microbeads Radar App to scan labels and help detect microbeads components in the formulation of cosmetic and hygiene products. Microbeads are tiny pieces (<5mm) of manufactured plastic that most products such as scrubs, facewash, cleansers, toothpaste, and shower gels contain. Microbeads are washed down our drains and are passed unfiltered by the water treatment plants. Once in waterbodies, microbeads enter the marine food chain, ending up in our plates!
