Microplastics are small pieces of plastic in the form of tiny microscopic particles that pollute the environment and in particular the water of our aceans. Although it is still debated from what size they can be considered microplastics, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the parameter of less than 5mm in diameter to classify them.These come from a wide variety of sources, including cosmetics, plastic paints, clothing, fishing items, everyday plastic waste, and industrial processes.

Due to the fact that it does not biodegrade and only disintegrates into smaller parts, these microplastics end up being absorbed or ingested by many organisms, staying in their bodies, tissues4 and after their death due to poisoning, as they cannot differentiate between their food. marine, increasing the problem, among seabirds, fish, sharks, aquatic mammals, such as a beached whale that died from ingesting plastic. The complete cycle and movement of microplastics in the environment is not yet fully known, but it is a topic that is currently being investigated.5 The possible consequences of these microplastics that end up housed in the human body, which have been found in some foods from the sea, such as salt, bottled water and tap water.

A large part of the products susceptible to incorporating these agents in their manufacture can be found in our supermarket basket, so we demand with this metric that the reduction of these microplastics be part of the environmental strategies of large distribution within its Policy for water protection