lessplasticplease

less plastic, please.

Plastic has turned up in human blood, arteries and brains. We report what the research shows, name the companies making the mess, and vet the glass, steel, wood and clay that can replace it, against a standard we publish in full.

Glass jars of oats, granola, pasta and dried goods with screw-top lids on a wooden shelf, two with small handwritten paper labels.
Dry goods stored in glass jars on a wooden pantry shelf. Photo: Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0
An empty green plastic bottle lying on wet sand at the water's edge, with strands of seaweed in the shallow water behind it.
A plastic bottle washed up on a beach in Pas-de-Calais, France. Photo: Falken, CC BY-SA 2.5

  1. Plastic particles were measured in the blood of healthy volunteers, at a mean of 1.6 µg per milliliter: the first time plastic in human blood was quantified.

    Leslie et al., Environment International, 2022

  2. Among 257 patients followed for about 34 months, those with micro- and nanoplastics in their artery plaque had 4.5 times the risk of heart attack, stroke or death. The study shows an association, not proof of cause.

    Marfella et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2024

  3. Microplastic levels in human brain and liver samples rose significantly between 2016 and 2024, and were higher still in brains of people diagnosed with dementia.

    Nihart et al., Nature Medicine, 2025

Latest

  1. Microplastics in baby bottles: what the research actually shows

    A 2020 study found plastic baby bottles shed millions of particles per litre during formula prep. What it measured, who disputes it, and how to cut exposure without breaking formula safety rules.

    Filed under Baby & kids, citing 11 sources

  2. Microplastics in household dust and indoor air: what we know

    The air and dust in your home carry more plastic than the air outside. What the studies measured, how much you might breathe in, why kids get more, and what helps.

    Filed under Home & bedroom, citing 13 sources

  3. Is plastic recycling a myth? What the labels really mean

    Only 9% of the world's plastic waste gets recycled. What the number in the triangle, 'recyclable', 'compostable', 'plant-based' and 'BPA-free' actually tell you.

    Cites 21 sources

  4. Do synthetic clothes shed microplastics? Yes. Here's what helps

    Polyester, nylon and acrylic shed fibres in the wash, the dryer and on your body. What the studies measure, where the fibres go, and which fixes have evidence behind them.

    Filed under Clothing & textiles, citing 19 sources

  5. Bottled water: you're paying extra for the plastic

    Every lab that looks finds plastic in bottled water, and the bottle and cap are part of the source. What the newest studies show, how solid the numbers are, and what helps.

    Filed under Drinking water, citing 27 sources

All articles

Start with one room

Room photos: Kitchen & food storage, Photo: Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Drinking water, Photo: Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Personal care & bathroom, Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0; Cleaning & laundry, Photo: Gill King, CC BY-SA 2.0; Clothing & textiles, Photo: Sadarama, CC BY-SA 4.0; Baby & kids, Photo: Lucas Pescador Barcelos, CC BY-SA 4.0; Home & bedroom, Photo: Liz Lawley, CC BY-SA 2.0; On the go, Photo: Unknown (via PxHere), CC0.