If you’ve been hearing more and more about microplastics, you’re not alone. From baby bottles to breakfast bowls, these tiny plastic particles have quietly worked their way into nearly every part of modern life — and scientists are only beginning to understand the full impact they’re having on our health.
At Hive, we’re not about panic — we’re about making it easier to shop with confidence. That’s why we’re sharing what we know, what’s changed recently, and what we’re doing to keep plastic (in all its forms) out of your products.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5mm, formed as larger plastics break down over time. These can degrade further into nanoplastics (under 20µm) and even pico-plastics (under 2µm) — small enough to be absorbed into human cells. Most plastics never fully disappear; they just break into smaller and smaller pieces.
Where Are They Found?
It’s no longer just about plastic straws or packaging. Microplastics are being found in:
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Food (especially seafood, produce, and salt)
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Drinking water (bottled and tap)
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Household dust
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Baby products like diapers and bottles
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Plastic packaging — which can “shed” microplastics into the food or product it holds
In fact, a 2024 study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that people may ingest over 100,000 microplastic particles per year, many of them through food and beverage packaging.
Why They’re Dangerous
Emerging research has shown microplastics don’t just pass through the body:
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A 2024 study in Toxics found that microplastics can accumulate in the liver and kidneys, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation
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A 2025 Nature Reviews article warned that nanoplastics may disrupt the gut microbiome, affect immune function, and penetrate the blood–brain barrier
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Microplastics have also been detected in placental tissue, raising urgent questions about long-term exposure in infants and children
What We're Doing About It
At Hive, we created the Hive Five to filter out greenwashing and make it easy to find products that are safe, transparent, and low-waste — including when it comes to microplastics.
Clean Packaging
We prioritize:
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Plastic-free options like glass, aluminum, or paper
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Post-consumer recycled HDPE #2 and PET #1 when plastic is unavoidable
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Clear labeling with tags like Plastic-Free or Plastic-Minimal
Ingredient Integrity
We avoid materials likely to shed microplastics and prioritize:
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Stainless steel, silicone, bamboo, and glass for hard goods
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Organic cotton, wool, cellulose, and bamboo rayon for soft goods
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Certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX, BPI Biodegradable, and LFGB Food Grade
Our Food Standards: Love Grown Is Clean Label Project Certified
We’re proud to share that Love Grown Cereal — one of our most popular breakfast picks — is now Clean Label Project Certified, meaning it has been tested for over 200 contaminants, including microplastics, heavy metals, and plasticizers like BPA and phthalates.
This distinction reflects our belief that food safety goes beyond nutrition — it’s about what’s not in your bowl, too.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
You don’t have to do it all — but here’s where to start:
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Choose plastic-free or plastic-minimal packaging
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Avoid microwaving food in plastic
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Swap disposables for reusables made from glass, steel, or silicone
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Use natural fibers in towels, baby wipes, and period products
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Shop products with Hive Five tags and certifications that screen for plastic contamination
Our Promise to You
As research evolves, so will our standards. We’ll continue to update product pages and maker requirements to reflect the latest science — and we’ll keep sharing what we learn with you.
You don’t have to track every study. You just need a place you trust. We’re here to be that place.
👉 Explore Hive Five–Certified Products →
