Microplastics Are Everywhere — Our New Survey Reveals How Much Americans Know and Don’t Know
Microplastics Are Everywhere — Our New Survey Reveals How Much Americans Know and Don’t Know
Author: 5 Gyres and Team Grove
Let’s be honest: microplastics sound like something out of a science fiction novel. Tiny plastic particles hiding in our air, water, food — even our bodies? It’s unsettling. And for most of us, confusing.
That’s why Grove teamed up with our research partners at The 5 Gyres Institute to get clarity. Through Ipsos Public Affairs, we surveyed Americans across the country to understand their awareness, concerns, and what they want to see from companies and policymakers. What we found was clear: people are worried — and ready to act — but they’re still missing critical information and tools.
Let’s break down the findings, share what you can do today, and connect you with the resources to go deeper.
What we learned: a national snapshot
1. Most Americans have heard about microplastics and are concerned about them — but less than half understand what they really are
77% of Americans have heard of microplastics and 90% are concerned about their effect on the human body — but most people don’t understand them — or how they can be avoided.
If you’ve seen headlines about plastic in the ocean or heard about synthetic fibers shedding in your laundry, you’ve probably encountered the term. But when it comes to where microplastics come from, how they get into our homes and bodies, or what role our daily habits play, most people are still unsure.
Only 49% of Americans say they’re somewhat or very familiar with microplastics — which means over half of the country isn’t confident in what they actually are. Even among those who had heard of them, the knowledge gaps were striking:
51% didn’t know that microplastics often come from larger plastic items breaking down
56% didn’t realize that more than 60% of today’s clothing is made from plastic-based fibers like polyester and nylon
Nearly half didn’t realize that microplastics are sometimes intentionally added to products like face scrubs, detergents, or even toothpaste
So what are microplastics, exactly?
They’re tiny plastic particles — smaller than a grain of rice — that can be either intentionally manufactured (think microbeads or glitter) or the result of plastic waste degrading or breaking down over time in landfills or the environment. Once released, microplastics spread through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. They even leach from everyday products and clothing — meaning they’re not just around us, they’re in us all.¹ ² ³
But here’s the encouraging part: people who are already familiar with microplastics are 2.36x more likely to understand their origins. That means once awareness starts to grow, understanding follows — and with it, the power to make meaningful changes.
2. For the vast majority of Americans, concern is deep and personal
If there’s one thing our survey made clear, it’s this: people are worried.
Across the board, Americans expressed a strong emotional reaction to microplastics — especially when the conversation shifted from environmental harm to personal health. In fact, 90% of respondents said they were concerned about microplastics being found in nearly every part of the human body studied. That includes blood, lungs, placenta, and even brain tissue — all of which have recently made headlines.⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷
Here’s where concern showed up strongest:
89% worry about microplastics in seafood and fish
89% are concerned about the impact on wildlife
88% fear the long-term risks to human health
89% specifically cited concern about chronic illnesses like cancer and hormonal disruption
And despite the information gaps mentioned earlier, a striking 85% of Americans said they’re concerned based on what little they do know — a clear signal that this issue isn’t just about facts. It’s about feeling unsafe in your own home and wanting to protect your family. That concern spans age, geography, and political views. Microplastics don’t discriminate, and people know it.
3. 86% of Americans are ready for action — especially from companies
With all this concern, it’s no surprise that Americans are hungry for solutions. But what stood out most in our findings was who they expect to step up, and it’s not just policymakers.
Yes, people want stronger regulations. But they’re also looking straight at companies — asking them to lead, to innovate, and to make sustainability easier for everyday people — which is fair when you consider that corporations are most responsible for the plastic crisis we find ourselves in after a generation of intentional plastic usage and changes to consumer behavior.
Here’s what consumers said they want most:
86% support banning intentionally added microplastics (like microbeads) in personal care products
87% favor replacing conventional plastic with compostable or biodegradable materials
86% want brands to offer refillable or reusable options
85% support installing microfiber-catching filters in all washing machines
58% want product labels to clearly indicate if microplastics are present
Yet, only 54% of respondents trust that companies are actually doing enough to reduce microplastic pollution. Meanwhile, a staggering 82% believe the private sector needs to take more meaningful action. The gap between brand promises and action and customer expectations is wide — and growing.
People are also eager to learn more for themselves. A full 78% said they want guidance on how to limit their plastic footprint and microplastic exposure. But they feel lost. Roughly 70% said they’re unaware of specific tools, products, or solutions — and 66% didn’t know which companies or resources to trust.
In other words, there’s a huge opportunity here. Not just to educate, but to empower. Brands that help consumers take tangible steps — and clearly communicate those steps — will be the ones that earn long-term trust and loyalty.
What you can do today: tips to protect your health, home, and planet
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. But small steps? They matter. Here’s where to start:
At home:
Limit plastic consumption. The less plastic in your home, routine, and life — the better.
Read your labels. Avoid ingredients like polyethylene or polypropylene in skincare, toothpaste, or body scrubs — they’re microplastics in disguise — as well as microbeads made from any synthetic materials.
Avoid intentional microplastics. Beyond microbeads, ditch glitter and plastic confetti for your next party and be mindful of tiny plastics that were purposely manufactured that way.
Choose natural fibers. When buying clothes, look for cotton, hemp, or wool instead of polyester, nylon, acrylic, lycra, spandex, and other petroleum-based materials.
Catch microfibers before they escape. Install washing machine and dryer filters to reduce fiber pollution when washing clothes and use an air filter device to capture other microfibers in your home’s air circulation.
Rethink food storage. Store food and beverages in non-plastic containers and transfer food to ceramic or glass before microwaving to avoid plastic leaching into your leftovers.
Refill, reuse, rethink. Opt for refillable containers and plastic-free packaging where you can — glass, aluminum, paper, and compostable options are your friends.
In your community:
Support better policies. Contact your lawmakers about legislation that bans microbeads, mandates filters, funds innovation in sustainable materials, and otherwise disincentivizes the use of plastics.
Hold brands accountable. Ask for transparency, question greenwashing, and choose companies that prioritize clear, honest sustainability.
Keep learning — and share what you know. Conversations spark action. And action, when multiplied, becomes change.
Understand the problem. Be part of the solution.
If you want to learn more, you’re not alone and there is more you can do. Here’s how you can get started:
Learn more about at www.Grove.co/microplastics
Read the full 5 Gyres survey report and methodology
Advocate for change with 5 Gyres’ Microplastics-Free US campaign
Check out more Home Planet articles on microplastics
Reduce your plastic consumption with Grove and Go Beyond Plastic™
Microplastics may feel invisible, but the impact is anything but. The good news? The more we understand, the more power we have to change things — for our families, our homes, and our planet.
You’ve got the power. And we’ve got your back.
About The 5 Gyres Institute
The 5 Gyres Institute (5 Gyres) is a leader in the global movement against plastic pollution, with 15 years of expertise in scientific research, engagement, and education. With the original goal to answer a few key scientific questions about ocean plastics, co-founders Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins led 19 research expeditions in all five subtropical gyres, as well as many of the world’s lakes and rivers. 5 Gyres continues to lead with scientific research to drive upstream solutions through education, advocacy, and community building. Learn more about 5 Gyres by visiting https://www.5gyres.org/.
Sources
1 Toussaint, K. (2024, April 23). Microplastics are full of toxic chemicals that are leaching into your skin. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/91110811/microplastics-toxic-chemicals-absorb-into-skin
2 Yang, J., Baldwin, L., Corkery, A., & Chambers, A. (2024, March 21). Why you may be eating and drinking more microplastics than you thought. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-you-may-be-eating-and-drinking-more-microplastics-than-you-thought
3 Center for International Environmental Law. (2024, February 1). Breathing plastic: The health impacts of invisible plastics in the air. https://www.ciel.org/breathing-plastic-the-health-impacts-of-invisible-plastics-in-the-air/
4 Leonard, S. V. L., Liddle, C. R., Atherall, C. A., Chapman, E., Watkins, M., Calaminus, S. D. J., & Rotchell, J. M. (2024). Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types, concentrations and characterisation using μFTIR. Environment International, 188, 108751. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024003374
5 Jenner, L. C., Rotchell, J. M., Bennett, R. T., Cowen, M., Tentzeris, V., & Sadofsky, L. R. (2022). Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy. Science of The Total Environment, 831, 154907. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722020009
6 Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., Papa, F., Rongioletti, M. C. A., Baiocco, F., Draghi, S., D'Amore, E., Rinaldo, D., Matta, M., & Giorgini, E. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environment International, 146, 106274. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020322297?via%3Dihub
7 Nihart, A. J., Garcia, M. A., El Hayek, E., Liu, R., Olewine, M., Kingston, J. D., Castillo, E. F., Gullapalli, R. R., Howard, T., Bleske, B., Scott, J., Gonzalez-Estrella, J., Gross, J. M., Spilde, M., Adolphi, N. L., Gallego, D. F., Jarrell, H. S., Dvorscak, G., Zuluaga-Ruiz, M. E., West, A. B., & Campen, M. J. (2025). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nature Medicine, 31(4), 1114–1119. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1
