Understanding the Problem
The Microplastics Crisis
Every week, the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of plastic — the equivalent of a credit card. Here's what that means and what we can do about it.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics (MPs) are synthetic polymer particles smaller than 5 mm in diameter. They fall into two categories:
Primary Microplastics
Intentionally manufactured at a small size for commercial use — microbeads in skincare products, industrial abrasives, and plastic pellets used in manufacturing.
Secondary Microplastics
Formed through the environmental breakdown of larger plastic products. Bags, bottles, fishing gear, and synthetic clothing fragment over time through UV exposure, wave action, and mechanical wear.
Impact on Marine Life
Microplastic contamination in our oceans is widespread, and the consequences for marine ecosystems are severe.
Ingestion & False Satiety
Marine fish consistently mistake microplastics for prey. The accumulation of non-nutritive plastic creates a false sense of fullness, reducing feeding and leading to energy depletion, weight loss, and starvation.
Physical & Immune Damage
Ingested plastics cause internal abrasions and obstructive damage in the gastrointestinal tract. Foreign particles trigger chronic inflammation and suppress immune function, leaving marine life more vulnerable to disease.
Toxic Bioaccumulation
Through trophic transfer, microplastics move up the food chain from small organisms to larger predators, concentrating toxins at each level. This threatens entire marine ecosystems with cascading effects.
Fish from regions with high coastal population density and poor waste management — such as parts of the Asia-Pacific — show significantly higher microplastic concentrations, pointing to land-based sources as a primary contributor.
Impact on Human Health
Microplastics aren't just an environmental issue — they pose direct risks to human health.
Chemical Additives
Microplastics are not pure polymers. They contain chemical additives such as phthalates, flame retardants, and stabilizers that can leach into the body and disrupt physiological processes at a cellular level.
The “Trojan Horse” Effect
Microplastics act as vectors for harmful pathogens like Vibrio species. By carrying these organisms into the body, they can cause greater damage than either the plastic particle or the contaminant would alone.
The Scale of the Problem
5g
of plastic ingested per person, per week
700K+
microfibers released per single wash-dry cycle
17M
fibres possible from a 5 kg synthetic load
Major Sources
How Refyber Helps
Most households have dryer filters that catch microfibers — but those collected fibres typically end up in the trash, and ultimately back in the ocean via landfill. Refyber breaks that cycle.
Collect
We gather microfibers that would otherwise be discarded from dryer lint traps.
Repurpose
The collected microplastics are transformed into eco-paper — a tangible, useful product.
Educate
Through workshops and community outreach, we raise awareness and inspire action on textile waste.
By repurposing microplastics into eco-paper, we break the cycle of harm and create opportunities for education and awareness — making a positive physical impact at the same time.