Sweet Microplastics
the invisible threat to beekeepers and their honeybees
What’s Happening?
[Introductory section]
This section is introducing:
What microplastics are.
The idea of microplastic affecting bees.
[potential] Quotes from a beekeeper on what it’s like to battle plastic when raising honeybees.
A basic hook of where the research is at.
Read More
How does it affect bees?
[information section]
This section is for:
How the microplastics hurt bees’ brains and changes their behaviour.
How it changes their microbiota.
Emerging research on the long-term effects.
Editing Note: this video needs to be edited and polished more, and bee ecosystem and microplastic facts will be added on screen in the final draft.
The point of this video is to give a brief interlude during the stressful topic of plastic pollution, so it’s meant to be inspiring and a brief break.
This is where I’ll use textural, aural, and visual modes.
What does this mean for our honey?
[food and microplastics]
This section is for:
Instances where microplastics have been found in honey.
This is partly a “why should you care” section, highlighting the daily occurrences when you could be coming across microplastics without even knowing it.
This is also to keep fear mongering and doomerism to a minimum, as it’s a stressful topic but not an impossible one.
If the aforementioned interview with a beekeeper happens, this is another place where their thoughts and opinions will be included.
Editing Note: The image that goes here is currently undecided. It may end up being an interactive component.
What can I do?
[This is the resources section].
This includes:
Nonprofits that promote the health and safety of bees.
Native plant websites that will help individuals figure out what to plant to support local bees.
Current advice on how to curb the spread of microplastics.
An encouragement to shop local and support beekeepers who can’t do much to stop microplastics, but still do their best to keep their bees healthy.
Sources
Editing note: The sources may end up being hyperlinked throughout the page as well, but a dedicated source list at the bottom will be added either way.
Graphic, visual, and animated element citations will be added here as well.
Bashir, Sadaf, et al. “Dancing with Danger-How Honeybees Are Getting Affected in the Web of Microplastics-a Review.” NanoImpact, vol. 35, Elsevier, July 2024, p. 100522, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2024.100522.
Pasquini, Elisa et al. “Microplastics reach the brain and interfere with honey bee cognition.” The Science of the total environment vol. 912 (2024): 169362. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169362
Shavali Gilani, Parisa, et al. “Microplastics Comprehensive Review: Impact on Honey Bee, Occurrence in Honey and Health Risk Evaluation.” Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 62, no. 8, Mar. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70030. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Sheng, Dong, et al. “Plastic Pollution in Agricultural Landscapes: An Overlooked Threat to Pollination, Biocontrol and Food Security.” Nature Communications, vol. 15, no. 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Sept. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52734-3. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
