A new study has brought a new perspective to the table – or more accurately, to our waters. While the health benefits of vegetables have long been known around the globe, new research is showing a potentially revolutionary role for plants in environmental conservation.
Microplastics, the tiny fragments of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters, have become a danger to our ecosystems. The quest to find an effective method to remove microplastics from our drinking water has been ongoing, and it appears that the answer might just be rooted in nature itself.
A team of scientists at Tarleton State University has been exploring the use of certain plants like okra, cactus, and aloe to purify water from these harmful microplastics. Their research indicates that extracts from these plants can efficiently attract and capture microplastics, thereby cleansing the water and removing these pollutants from our drinking water.
The research underscores the potential of leveraging natural resources in developing environmentally friendly technologies for a sustainable future. Turning to vegetables might just be the innovative solution we need.
Within our own .earth web domain tribe, we have several organizations that are working to eliminate microplastics in the environment:
- PlasticsRebellion.Earth: The organization fights against plastic polluters such as Coke for a more plastic-free world. Learn more here.
- CCAPP.Earth: Citizens Concerned About Plastic Pollution (CCAPP) believes that as individuals and as a community we can do a lot. Working in Ulster County, NY CCAPP’s goal is to encourage action to reduce use and limit production of single-use plastic. Learn more here.
- Tru.Earth: The company makes environmentally safe laundry detergent, but without the big plastic jugs.Learn more here.
- Vuma.Earth: If you have an idea to make your community, or the world, a better place, Vuma gives you the tools to make that happen. And fortunately, they are doing that with plastic bags. Learn more here.
- Viable.Earth: This content-creation company covers sustainable businesses including using seaweed to make edible packaging instead of plastics.Learn more here.
With the Earth Day 2024 theme being “Planet vs. Plastics,” we will be highlighting more content around solutions for countering today’s environmental problems regarding plastics in the coming weeks. In addition, stay tuned for more information regarding our annual .earth web domain Earth Day promotion!
Is your organization working to combat the impacts of microplastics? The .earth web domain is ideal for enhancing your brands and communicating your mission of eliminating these harmful toxins from our planet.
To learn more about the .earth web domain, visit Voices.Earth. In addition, many organizations and individuals are sharing their voices about the benefits of a .earth domain in our Voices.Earth podcast series.
