![assorted microplastics shown resting on two fingertips, with a pile of microplastics in the background. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/02/2017_Waste_microplasticCloseupFingers01_ifasTylerJonesCROP1650x470TINY.png)
You might have heard about "microplastics," a term that has been in the news in recent years. But, do you know what microplastics are? What damage they can cause? Or, how to help lessen the impacts? We've got you covered. Microplastics ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Water![a tangle of fishing line, plastic beads and other plastic waste on a beach. [credit: unsplash.com, soren funk]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/03/2025_Water_microplasticsBeach01_unsplashSorenFunk_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
We're hearing a lot about microplastics in the news, but what exactly are they and what can I do to reduce the impact of microplastics in our environment? Well, first, what are they? Microplastics are defined as plastic particles no larger ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Water
Virtually all of the plastic ever produced has been created since WWII. Prior to that, plastic products and packaging as we know them did not exist. Products made from plastic dominate our lives, and in many ways have improved the quality of ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
An Introduction to World Environment Day On June 5th ,1972, the first-ever global conference that put international environmental issues at the forefront, took place in Stockholm, Sweden. The “Conference on the Human Environment” gathered ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Work & Life
Plastic is seemingly everywhere these days, including many items we see or use during the holidays. Maia McGuire, UF/IFAS Extension associate director for Florida Sea Grant, is an expert on plastic waste and microplastic pollution. She ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Work & Life
Plastic pollution has been a known problem for decades, but more recently researchers have been focusing on this idea of microplastics, that is, plastic particles about 5mm in size or smaller. Where do microplastics come from? What are the threats? ... READ MORE
Category: Natural ResourcesThat plastic bottle that you saw floating ashore will eventually enter our food chain. This is Part 2 of a blog series covering plastic pollution in Earth's oceans. Read Part 1 here. Impacts on climate change Oil, gas, and coal are the fossil-fuel ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Water, WildlifePlanet Earth's Ocean has got 5 trillion problems and it’s all plastic. What is plastic From the Greek πλαστικος (plastikos), the term “plastics” literally means “fit for molding”. Plastic derives from cellulose and fossil ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water, Wildlife
For almost 40 years, the Ocean Conservancy has held the International Coastal Cleanup in September. Across the planet hundreds of thousands of volunteers clean marine debris from their shorelines. The data collected is used by local agencies ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural ResourcesGoing along with the International Coastal Clean Up, UF/IFAS Extension will be promoting September as Microplastics Awareness month. The most common form of microplastic are fibers.Photo: UF IFAS St. johns County If you have not heard, microplastics ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Water