Most people will never know what's actually in their food. Unplastic members do.

A Research Season is our focused, member-voted phase of independent lab testing — typically lasting 3–4 months. We design each season with great care, formulating the actual studies from the ground up. This includes planning the methodology — deciding exactly which products to test, how many samples to analyze (usually 3–5 replicates per product for statistical reliability), the precise contamination parameters (microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, BPAs, etc.), and the best lab protocols to deliver accurate, reproducible results.
The process is shaped by member input: we start by proposing options based on community interest, then refine and finalize the studies once members vote on categories, brands, and the specific health questions they want answered. We incorporate member requests for particular products, brands, and details — ensuring the research addresses what matters most to the group. We then run the studies with full transparency and rigor, and once complete, share clear, verified reports exclusively with active members. While the season is active, you also have full access to the growing library of past measurements. When one season wraps up, the next begins — with fresh voting, new studies, and continued expansion as membership grows. This structured, repeatable approach lets us deliver high-quality, meaningful science at scale — powered by you.

Membership is $17 per Research Cycle (one-time payment for the full active period of that cycle). This funds the lab testing voted on by the community. You’ll have full access to results, voting power, and the growing library while the cycle is active. Renew for the next cycle when it launches to continue.

Yes — full money-back guarantee, no hassle. If at any point during the Research Cycle you feel impatient, change your mind, or simply don’t want to continue supporting the science, email us and we’ll refund you right away. We see members as partners in this mission, not customers — if it’s not right for you, we want you to feel good about stepping away.

You can cancel anytime — no questions asked. Our members are patrons of independent science: if you pull your funding, we completely understand. Your support is voluntary, and we’re grateful for every cycle you choose to be part of.

Unplastic Labs is 100% independent — no corporate funding, no brand partnerships, no outside interests. All testing is member-funded and member-directed. We do as much as possible in-house and collaborate with trusted experts when needed. Every report is transparent and verified.

We’re committed to the highest standards of rigor and transparency in every step of our process — because reliable data is the foundation of everything we do.Our studies are designed methodically from the start: we carefully select representative samples based on member votes, testing multiple replicates per product (typically 3–5 or more, depending on the category) to account for natural variability and ensure robust statistics. We follow established best practices for microplastics analysis, including:

• Sample preparation: Thorough cleaning of equipment, use of glass/metal tools only, filtration of all solutions, and strict protocols to minimize contamination.

• Extraction and isolation: Density separation, chemical digestion (when needed), and vacuum filtration to isolate particles without introducing bias.

• Analysis: Microscopic enumeration followed by polymer identification using spectroscopic methods (e.g., µ-Raman or FTIR), with careful attention to particle size, shape, color, and morphology.

• Quality control: Every batch includes procedural blanks (field and lab), equipment blanks, and positive controls (spiked recoveries) to monitor and correct for any background contamination. We run laboratory blanks for every 10–20 samples and document variability across analysts to maintain consistency.

All findings are verified, documented, and shared in clear, easy-to-understand reports — exclusive to active members during the cycle. We operate with complete independence — no corporate influence, no brand partnerships — so the science stays objective and trustworthy. Our goal is to deliver data you can rely on to make informed choices, not just numbers to fill a page.This level of care ensures our results stand up to scrutiny and give you confidence in what’s really in the products you use every day. If you ever have questions about a specific study’s methods, we’re happy to share more details — transparency is core to who we are.

You’ll get immediate access to all results from the current cycle so far, plus voting power for the remainder. You’ll also have full library access while active. Joining late still gives you everything — the same complete experience as early joiners.