A plant-based answer to microplastics?
Microplastics are now found everywhere. In oceans and rivers, in drinking water, and even in human tissue. It's becoming increasingly clear that these tiny plastic particles aren't innocent passersby, but pose a structural problem for the environment and public health. The question is no longer whether we're dealing with them, but how we deal with them.
Recent research shows that the solution may not come from more chemistry, but from nature itself.
Microplastics
Microplastics are created through the breakdown of larger plastic products or are produced directly, for example, for industrial applications. In everyday life, they are released through, among other things:
- cutting on plastic cutting boards
- drinking from plastic bottles
- plastic tea bags and coffee cups
- heating of plastic, such as with hot drinks
Microplastics can be released, particularly under heat and mechanical stress (cutting, rubbing), and end up in food or drinks. Completely avoiding them is difficult, but making conscious choices can significantly reduce exposure.
Chemistry as the usual solution
When environmental problems come to light, technological or chemical solutions are often sought. This also applies to microplastics, where synthetic polymers and flocculants are used to filter plastic particles from water or to clump them together.
The downside? Many of these substances are not biodegradable themselves and can create new problems for ecosystems and water quality. There's a risk that solving one problem will create another.
A surprising alternative from plants
In a recent study, scientists investigated whether plant fibers from okra and fenugreek could have the same effect as synthetic polymers in removing microplastics from water (1).
Okra, a fruit commonly used in African and Indian cuisines, and fenugreek, a plant also known for its uses in food and supplements, contain natural polysaccharides. These substances have been shown to bind microplastics together, causing them to clump together and sink to the bottom.
The results were striking:
- up to 90% reduction of microplastics in water
- comparable or even more effective than some commercial chemical solutions
- completely biodegradable
In other words, a natural mechanism was found to effectively address an industry-induced problem.
What does this mean for everyday life?
While the research is promising, it's still too early to speak of a practical application for home use. Adding okra or fenugreek to drinking water daily is not currently a realistic or desirable solution.
However, the research does underscore something fundamental. Natural systems often offer solutions that are less burdensome than synthetic alternatives. This opens the door to further research and sustainable innovation, in parallel with reducing plastic use at the source.
Responsible choices
Until such solutions are widely applicable, much of the responsibility lies with conscious choices in daily life. Small adjustments can make a big difference:
- use reusable shopping bags
- choose wooden or bamboo cutting boards
- drink water from glass instead of plastic
- avoid plastic tea bags and coffee cups
- limit the use of disposable packaging
Minimizing plastic in places where it is heated or comes into direct contact with food is an important first step.
Sustainability as a continuous process
Many brands, including young companies, face the challenge of balancing sustainability and affordability. Switching to glass or biodegradable packaging requires investment, but it's an essential step toward reducing plastic use in the long run.
The movement toward more sustainable materials and conscious product development is not an end point, but a continuous process, driven by new insights, research, and responsibility for people and the environment.
Nature as inspiration
Research on okra and fenugreek shows that nature is often more advanced than expected. While industrial solutions can be complex and burdensome, plant-based alternatives sometimes prove simpler, more effective, and more sustainable.
The challenge for the coming years lies not only in developing new technology, but also in revaluing natural processes and reducing problems at the source.
Because sometimes the solution lies not in more innovation, but in looking smarter at what already exists.
References
- Srinivasan, R., Bhuju, R., Chraibi, V., Stefan, M. C., Hien, N., Ustundag, D., La Neice Gill, J., Rasmussen, N., Saurenmann, B., Bracerra, J., Fowler, M., White, H., & Azadah, M. (2025b). Fenugreek and Okra Polymers as Treatment Agents for the Removal of Microplastics from Water Sources. ACS Omega , 10 (15), 14640–14656. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c07476
