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Bright-Colored Plastics Pose Higher Risk of Becoming Microplastics, Study Finds

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Retailers are encouraged to shift away from using brightly colored plastics in products like drink bottles, outdoor furniture, and toys, following a groundbreaking study led by the University of Leicester. The research revealed that brightly colored plastics degrade into microplastics significantly faster than their darker counterparts, posing an increased environmental risk.

Source: UN Environment Programme/YouTube

This study, conducted in collaboration between UK scientists and the University of Cape Town, discovered that red, blue, and green plastics become highly brittle and fragmented when exposed to natural elements over three years. Conversely, plastics colored black, white, and silver remained substantially intact under similar conditions.

Exposing plastic bottle caps of various colors on a university rooftop and retrieving plastic debris from a remote South African beach were among the methods used. Dr. Sarah Key, who spearheaded the project, noted the consistency in results despite the different environments: “It’s amazing that samples left to weather on a rooftop in Leicester and those collected on a windswept beach at the southern tip of the African continent show similar results,” she said.

The presence of microplastics has become a widespread environmental issue, with these particles being found in remote locations and even within human bodies, raising concerns about potential health implications. This new study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, provides the first concrete evidence that the color of plastic plays a crucial role in its degradation process.

Brightly colored plastics not only degrade quickly but are also less likely to be recycled effectively. Adam Herriott, a senior specialist at the anti-waste charity Wrap, explained the challenges of recycling mixed-color plastics, which often result in less desirable gray or greenish outputs. The research advocates for the avoidance of vivid colors, especially in high-litter items such as crisp packets and bottle tops, to enhance recyclability and reduce environmental impact.

These findings urge manufacturers to consider both the recyclability and the environmental longevity of their products. For items that are frequently used outdoors or exposed to sunlight, avoiding colors like red, green, and blue could substantially extend their lifespan and reduce their contribution to microplastic pollution.