Microplastic remediation is the process of cleaning up, treating, and containing microplastics in environments like soil, water, and sediment. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, formed when larger plastic items break down. They range in size from about 5 millimeters to 1 nanometer. [1] Cleaning up microplastics is an ongoing effort needed to help restore environments affected by these tiny plastics.

Microplastics can be removed using physical, chemical, or biological methods, such as advanced oxidation, bioremediation, coagulation, membrane filtration, and hand removal. These methods help break down microplastics and stop them from entering the environment. However, some of these techniques are not common, costly, and do not fully solve the problem of microplastics continuously entering the environment in the United States. [2]

While efforts focus on directly removing microplastics, the most important step in reducing them is prevention. Many companies in the United States produce plastic products that contribute to the growth of microplastics. Policies that encourage the collection and reuse of plastic items help prevent microplastics from forming. Studies show that global plastic production increased from 258 million U.S. tons in 2000 to 507 million tons in 2019. [3] Recent laws, like the Microplastic Safety Act of 2025, require the FDA to study the health effects of microplastics in food and water within one year. The study will examine impacts on children, the endocrine system, cancer, chronic illnesses, and reproductive health. [4] Another proposed law, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2023, aims to reduce single-use plastics and hold producers accountable for preventing microplastic pollution.

Microplastic remediation is a global effort that supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It connects to SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation; SDG 12, which addresses the production and use of plastics that create microplastics; and SDG 14, which relates to protecting aquatic life from microplastics in water and sediment.

Remediation of Microplastics in Air

Microplastics can travel through the air and have been found in air and dust samples from indoor and outdoor areas in places like China and London. Indoor levels of microplastics are often higher than outdoor levels. More research is needed to understand how microplastics in the air affect human health. Scientists have discovered that microplastics can move through the air as dust, from soil erosion, car exhaust, and even ocean spray. Breathing in microplastics can lead to breathing problems, harm reproductive health, cause body inflammation, create cell damage, and hurt lung tissue. [1]

Removing microplastics from the air is difficult. One effective method is to improve indoor air flow and reduce microplastic production by using fewer synthetic fabrics. Using HEPA filters when vacuuming can also help, as these filters may remove microplastics from the air along with other tiny particles.

Burning plastic to create energy is a major source of airborne microplastics. Studies show that replacing plastic burning with renewable energy sources, like solar or wind power, can help reduce microplastics in the air by removing a key source of pollution.

Remediation of Microplastics in Water

Microplastics can be removed from water using filtration, adsorption, or absorption.

Absorption methods use sponges made of cotton and squid bones, which can remove over 99% of microplastics. Microplastics become harmful in water because they absorb toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and germs from the environment. These substances can harm marine animals and disrupt food chains.

Scientists have found that using plant-based materials from Fenugreek and Okra as flocculants can help remove microplastics from water. The flocculation process uses the special structure of these materials to help capture microplastics. Once the microplastics are attached to the materials, the materials sink to the bottom and can be removed through filtering. Using these materials in this process removes about 80% of microplastics from water.

Polyacrylamide is also a good flocculant for removing microplastics from water.

Biofilters, like biochar filters, are used in wastewater treatment plants. Biochar helps absorb microplastics and can remove up to 97% from wastewater.

People have tried using nets and large bags to physically collect microplastics from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This method uses two ships to pull large nets or bags, similar to those used for catching plankton, to gather the plastics.

Remediation of Microplastics in Soil and Sediments

Microplastics are often found in soil and sediments. Scientists are working on ways to reduce microplastics in soil using methods like breaking them down with light, using chemicals to remove them, or using living things to clean them up. Another method called density separation has been shown to help remove microplastics from sediments.

Density separation works by adding salt, such as NaCl or ZnCl, to water until it is very salty. Sediments are then dissolved in this salty water. Because microplastics are less dense than the salty water, they float to the top and can be removed by pouring off the water.

In soils and sediments, tiny living things like bacteria or fungi can break down microplastics. These microorganisms are placed in a special container called a bioreactor with the soil or sediment. This process allows the microorganisms to eat the plastics and break them down.

Microplastics in soil and sediment can change the structure and quality of soil. Over time, this can cause problems like increased erosion and harm to agriculture. Prolonged exposure of soil to microplastics may reduce soil health and lower crop production.