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1.2. Definition of linear economy
With the above statement and video, your students can attempt to give the definition of the linear
economy themselves.

A linear economy is a traditional model based on a “take-make-dispose” pattern. This
results in more waste, as this strategy relies on the collection of raw materials,
Page | 7 transformed into as many products as possible, which will then be discarded. (Dieguez,
7
2020)
1.3. Ecological disadvantages of linear economy
In order to collect all these raw materials, high amounts of both energy and water must be
consumed, where discarding these products results in the emission of toxic substances, as well as
the disruption of forests, lakes and other natural capitals. (Kenniskaarten - het Groene Brein, 2017)

Most of the plastic we discard every day ends up in landfills, taking up to 1,000 years to decompose
and leaching potentially toxic substances into the soil and water. (UNEP, 2018) Additionally, plastic
is also the most common sort of marine debris that can be found in different shapes and sizes in
our ocean.

1.3.1. Microplastics
Definition of microplastics and different types
Now picture the size of a sesame seed, which is not bigger than 5 millimeters! The
plastics that are less than this in length are called “microplastics”. Microplastics can
come from a different type of sources, including from larger plastic debris, degrading
into very small pieces and also from microbeads.
Microbeads (a type of microplastic), are intentionally manufactured to be very tiny pieces of
polyethylene plastic and can be found in various beauty products, such as face cleansers and
toothpastes, used as exfoliants. Due to their tiny size, these particles can easily pass through water
filtration systems and end up in the ocean, posing a potential threat to aquatic life. (US Department
of Commerce, 2022)

Other types of microplastics, that are designed small for commercial purposes, are fibers and
nurdles. Plastic fibers are found in clothes and end up in the ocean even from the first wash, as
they get loose from them and pass through waterways. On the other hand, nurdles are small
pellets that through a specific process make larger plastic shapes.

As mentioned above, microplastics can either be intentionally produced or by degraded larger
plastic pieces. The second case depends on factors such as polymer type, age, and environmental
conditions like temperature, weathering irradiation, and pH. (Youmatter, 2020)

Where can microplastics be found?
These tiny particles blow around between sea and land, so people might be inhaling
or eating plastic from any source. Plastic is designed to last, requiring a lot of time
to break down. Taking these two together microplastics can be found almost
everywhere like:

• Bottled water
• Tea bags
• Beer
• Rain

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.