Cleaning Ocean Pollution: Is It Possible?

The health of our oceans is a pressing global issue. With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic polluting the oceans, the impact on marine life, ecosystems, fisheries, coastlines, tourism, and the food we eat is devastating. The question of how to clean up the oceans is complex and multifaceted. From beach cleanups to innovative technologies, there is a range of approaches to tackling this issue. However, the most effective strategy is to address the problem at its source by preventing plastic from entering rivers and coastlines, which contribute to around 80% of plastic waste in the oceans.

Stop plastic at the source

The ocean is basically turning into garbage soup, with millions of tons of plastic debris floating around in the water. This poses a serious danger to marine life, as animals can get tangled in the trash or ingest it, mistaking it for food. Plastic pollution in the oceans is essentially irreversible, as it takes hundreds of years to fully degrade, and the pieces of plastic are also leaching toxic chemicals.

Around 80% of marine plastic pollution originates on land, either swept in from the coastline or carried to rivers from the streets during heavy rain via storm drains and sewer overflows.

• Reduce your use of single-use plastics. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, takeaway containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then discarded.
• Support legislation to curb plastic production and waste. It's important to advocate for laws that reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and hold plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate.
• Participate in or organize beach or river cleanups. Getting involved in cleanups is a direct and rewarding way to fight ocean plastic pollution. You can join a local organization's cleanup or an international event.
• Avoid products containing microbeads. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes. They can slip through water treatment plants and are often mistaken for food by marine animals. Opt for products with natural exfoliants like oatmeal or salt instead.
• Support organizations addressing plastic pollution. There are many non-profit organizations working to reduce and eliminate ocean plastic pollution, and they rely on donations to continue their work.
• Wean yourself off single-use plastics. Take note of how often you rely on single-use plastics and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags, utensils, or mugs to make it a habit.
• Boycott bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle with you, and you'll save money and plastic. Tap water is also often the safer choice.
• Choose clothing made from natural fibers. An estimated 9% of the microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic fibers like nylon, acrylic, polyester, and fleece. When possible, opt for clothing and textiles made from natural materials like cotton and wool.
• Put pressure on manufacturers. If you think a company could be smarter about its packaging and use less plastic, make your voice heard. Write a letter, tag them on social media, or take your money to a more sustainable competitor.

Beach cleanups

These cleanups help prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean, promote marine conservation, preserve biodiversity, protect human health, raise community awareness, maintain the aesthetic and tourism value of beaches, and collect data for research. Beach cleanups also provide an opportunity for volunteers to contribute to ocean conservation and learn more about marine ecosystems.

While beach cleanups have many benefits, they also have some limitations. They provide a temporary solution as they do not address the root causes of pollution, such as overconsumption and improper waste disposal. They focus on cleaning up visible pollution on beaches, but they do not address the pollution already present in the ocean or its sources on land. Additionally, organising and conducting beach cleanups can be logistically challenging, especially in remote locations, and they rely on the availability and commitment of volunteers.

Despite these disadvantages, beach cleanups play a crucial role in raising awareness about marine pollution, engaging communities, and providing immediate relief to local ecosystems. They are often conducted in conjunction with other initiatives to address the issue of marine pollution more effectively, such as reducing single-use plastic consumption, improving waste management, promoting recycling, and advocating for sustainable practices.

Avoid agricultural runoff

Agricultural runoff is a significant contributor to water pollution, and it is important to implement strategies to avoid this issue. Here are some ways to avoid agricultural runoff and its negative impact on the ocean:

Adopting Nutrient Management Techniques

Farmers can improve nutrient management practices by applying the right amount of nutrients (fertilizer and manure) at the right time of year, with the right method and placement. This ensures that nitrogen and phosphorus, necessary for crop growth, are fully utilized and do not negatively impact water quality. Proper nutrient management can also help prevent eutrophication of water bodies, which leads to hypoxic "dead zones" harmful to aquatic life.

Conservation Drainage Practices

Implementing conservation drainage practices is crucial for managing water movement through soils. Strategies such as modifying drainage system design, utilizing woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and drainage ditch system modifications can help reduce nutrient loads while maintaining adequate drainage for crop production.

Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover

By planting cover crops or perennial species, farmers can prevent periods of bare ground on fields. This practice helps protect the soil from erosion and nutrient loss, especially during vulnerable times when the soil is more susceptible to these issues.

Field Buffers

Planting trees, shrubs, and grasses along the edges of fields, particularly those bordering water bodies, acts as a natural buffer. These planted buffers can absorb and filter out excess nutrients, preventing them from reaching nearby water bodies and contributing to pollution.

Conservation Tillage

Reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling fields can improve soil health and reduce erosion, runoff, and soil compaction. Conservation tillage practices allow the soil surface to remain undisturbed, minimizing the risk of pollutants reaching nearby waterways.

Livestock Management

Keeping livestock and their waste away from streams is essential. Installing fences along streams, rivers, and lakes can help block animal access, restore stream banks, and prevent excess nutrients from entering the water. Additionally, properly storing livestock manure in lagoons, covered stockpiles, or protected upland areas can minimize runoff risks.

By implementing these practices, farmers can play a crucial role in avoiding agricultural runoff and protecting ocean health. These strategies not only benefit the environment but also contribute to sustainable agriculture and the well-being of aquatic ecosystems.

Business incentives to eliminate plastic

Businesses have a crucial role to play in addressing plastic pollution, and there are several incentives for them to eliminate plastic use and promote sustainable practices. Here are four key paragraphs on business incentives to eliminate plastic:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): EPR is an environmental policy approach that holds producers and manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the management and disposal of post-consumer goods. This strategy ensures that companies are responsible for the proper recycling or disposal of their products, even after they reach the end of their useful life. Successful implementation of EPR can significantly reduce plastic waste in the environment. For example, Maine introduced the groundbreaking Extended Producer Responsibility program, making companies responsible for the recycling and disposal costs of their packaging waste.
• Taxes and Subsidies: Localities can implement taxes on plastic manufacturers to discourage plastic consumption and production. These taxes can be designed to be high enough to deter plastic use, with the revenue generated going towards environmental initiatives or cleanup efforts. Conversely, subsidies can be offered to companies that meet specific criteria for reducing plastic pollution. For instance, subsidies could be provided for using recycled materials, incorporating eco-friendly designs, or achieving significant reductions in plastic waste generation.
• Recycling Laws and Incentives: Governments can introduce recycling laws and incentives to encourage businesses to reduce plastic waste. Recycling laws can mandate the recycling of specific plastic materials and products, such as plastic containers and packaging. Incentives can take various forms, such as tax breaks, subsidies, or recognition programs for companies that actively reduce plastic consumption, recycle waste, or innovate sustainable alternatives. For instance, the deposit-refund strategy offers incentives or credits to businesses that properly dispose of plastic products, increasing the value of plastic waste.
• Product Bans: Local governments can ban certain plastic products, such as plastic bags, straws, and single-use plastics. This approach reduces the amount of problematic and hard-to-recycle plastic in the waste stream. By prohibiting specific plastic items, businesses are encouraged to seek alternative materials, design reusable options, or develop innovative packaging solutions. Product bans not only reduce plastic pollution but can also lower collection costs for low-value items.

These business incentives are essential steps towards reducing plastic pollution and protecting our oceans. By implementing these measures, companies can play a pivotal role in creating a sustainable future and preserving marine ecosystems for generations to come.

Waste management laws

The oceans are the support system of life on Earth, and it is our duty to respect, protect, and preserve them. To combat ocean pollution, a combination of awareness through education and legislation is required.

International Laws

The United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) has established laws and guidelines to respect, protect, preserve, and prevent the dumping of plastics and other harmful substances in the marine environment. Under Part XII, Section 1, Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment, articles 192 to 222 of UNCLOS are dedicated to pollution control and preservation. Specifically, Article 194 establishes measures to prevent, reduce, and control the release of toxic, harmful, or noxious substances by dumping, and Article 210 sets laws and regulations to effectively prevent their dispersal in the marine environment.

The London Convention (1972) and the London Protocol (1996) are international treaties that protect the marine environment from pollution caused by the dumping of wastes and other matter into the ocean. The London Protocol implements a precautionary approach, prohibiting all dumping except for those wastes or matter described in Annex 1 of the Protocol.

National Laws

In the United States, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, regulates the transportation and disposition (dumping) of specific materials into the ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for designating and managing ocean sites under this Act. The MPRSA also implements the requirements of the London Convention in the US.

Individual Actions

While legislation is crucial, individual actions can also make a significant difference in reducing ocean pollution. People can reduce their use of single-use plastics, support legislation to curb plastic production and improve waste management, participate in beach or river cleanups, and choose sustainable seafood and shopping options.

Frequently asked questions