2% FILM Plastic bags, packaging

17% FRAGMENT Small pieces of plastic broken off (or degraded) from larger pieces;  microbeads* used in toothpaste or cosmetics.  *Banned in US in 2015 

Trace PELLET/BEAD Nurdles, microbeads

5 Types of Microplastics in Wastewater Effluent

SOURCES: Percentages are averages from a study of eight WWTPs, employing varying treatment technologies, near San Francisco/ Elservier/ USGS

1% FOAM Polystyrene, cigarette filters

80% FIBER Synthetic fabric, non-flushable wipes, clothing, fishing line

SYNTHETIC FIBERS shed from garments in washing machines and drain with the effluent water at much higher volumes than personal care products and cosmetics. More than 1,900 microplastic fibers can be released from a single synthetic garment in one wash cycle. These fibers can pass through the most commonly used screen filters in wastewater treatment facilities.