Microplastics might already be inside us all: Volvo Ocean Race warns of ‘chemical burden’ coming from waste littering the seas

“Yes, we will all be moved by seeing pictures of affected animals, but if we know that it’s coming back to affect us, then it’s a stronger message for everyone,” said VOR sustainability education programme manager Lucy Hunt.

Hong Kong uses around 5.2 million single-use plastic water bottles a day, while 15,000 tonnes of waste is collected by the government from Hong Kong’s beaches each year.

Plastic is the most common type of marine debris found in the ocean. Particles falling under 5mm in length are considered to be microplastics.

Microplastics can be formed via degradation of larger plastics and found in health, beauty or household products, all of which facilitate easy passage through water filtration systems. They are a contributor to the depressingly named “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” and may have wriggled even closer to home: our bodies.

“It’s really important to see if it’s in our blood because microplastics have endocrine disruptors in them and there will be a knock-on effect on our health,” Hunt said.