It’s the Micro Plastic – The installation Micro-Plastic :: Mega-Problem addresses and illustrates the origin and distribution of micro-plastic within our global bodies of fresh and salt water. Over time shopping bags, plastic bags, beverage bottles, canisters, even lost fishing nets (so called ‘Ghost Nets’) become shredded, ground down and eventually milled into fine particles by wave motion and in huge garbage whirls - known as micro plastic. Even certain cosmetic products used to exfoliate skin in soaps, creams and other products contain ‘so called’ micro beads which are also micro plastic. Fish, crab, mussels, even whales and other marine life in rivers and oceans mistake these small plastic particles for edible feed and swallow them. It is through the consumption of seafood and other marine life that micro plastic arrives in the human food chain. Micro plastic is particularly dangerous to human as well as marine life because it attracts and concentrates poisonous substances such as insecticides (DDT), carcinogenic plastic softeners (PCB) and other hazardous chemicals. As micro plastic cannot be distinguished from other sediments, our water treatment plants are unable to separate it out – hence the vicious circle closes. Whilst Austria, like many other European countries, is recognized as a role model in recycling endeavours (including plastics), there is still a need for much greater public awareness and understanding of the serious threat to both the marine ecosystem and human life that is posed by micro plastics. We therefore hope that, through the artistic presentation of the micro plastic problem, the event will act as a catalyst for much greater public debate of the issues and a demand for further far reaching initiatives against plastic littering. Micro plastic has already been identified as one of the main causes of the progressing destruction of our seas and oceans – at a time when the full extent and long term effects of micro plastic are not even remotely understood. The plastic and packaging industry has recognized the issue and commenced to develop biologically degradable products. Nonetheless, it will take many years, if not decades, until these new products are sufficiently mature for wider use. In the meantime, every year some 20,000 tons of plastic waste find their way into the marine environment – and since plastic does not biologically degrade, this waste becomes concentrated in huge garbage whirls in our oceans. If we do not act against this, there will be more plastic garbage than fish in our seas by 2050 according to a study of the UN…. What can we do against micro plastic? Avoid Use - If possible, don’t buy products in plastic packing - Don’t by cosmetic products containing plastic beads - Re-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags) Recycle - Don’t dispose of plastic waste into the natural environment – recycle into correct recycle   bins (separate for PET and other packaging, shopping bags) Inform - Relay the information on micro plastic to your family members, friends and   acquaintances.

Micro-Plastic :: Mega-Problem How do plastics and plastic softeners get into our food?