How Plastic Silverware Impacts Ocean Pollution And Health

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing environmental issue that requires global cooperation to address. It is caused primarily by littering, with disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, bottles, and industrial fishing gear ending up in waterways and eventually in the ocean. The economic costs of plastic pollution are significant, impacting tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and clean-up efforts, with annual estimates ranging from $6-19 billion USD. Plastic pollution also poses a threat to marine life, with ingestion and entanglement in plastic debris leading to health issues and death for various species. While there is no single solution to this complex problem, a combination of strategies, including single-use plastic bans, improved recycling capacity, waste management systems, and the development of eco-friendly alternatives, can collectively contribute to reducing plastic leakage into the oceans and mitigating its harmful effects.

Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a critical global issue. While plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources, rivers are the main source of this pollution. Rivers carry trash over long distances, connecting almost all land surfaces to the oceans.

A recent study estimates that more than a quarter of all plastic waste in the ocean could be coming from just 10 rivers, eight of them in Asia. These 10 rivers carry 88-99% of river-borne plastic that ends up in the ocean. The rivers are the Yangtze, Yellow, Hai, Pearl, Amur, Mekong, Indus, and Ganges in Asia, and the Niger and Nile in Africa. The Yangtze alone dumps up to an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of plastic waste into the Yellow Sea.

The plastic in these rivers comes from a variety of sources, including bottles and bags, as well as microscopic fibers and beads. The plastic is often mismanaged and not properly disposed of or recycled, ending up in rivers and eventually the ocean. This is particularly true in middle-income countries, where plastic usage is growing, but waste management systems are inadequate.

The impact of river-borne plastic pollution on the ocean is significant. Plastic can harm and kill marine organisms, transfer harmful contaminants through food webs, and have economic costs for industries such as tourism, fisheries, and shipping.

To combat river plastic pollution, organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are working with governments, corporations, and the scientific community to develop solutions. Their Interceptor™ technology aims to prevent plastic from entering the world's oceans. Additionally, countries like China are taking steps to improve waste management and reduce plastic waste imports. Raising public awareness and implementing better waste management practices in polluted regions are also crucial in tackling this issue.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The GPGP is bounded by the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a large system of swirling ocean currents. The gyre's rotational pattern draws in waste from across the North Pacific, including the coastal waters of North America and Japan. The gyre's circular motion traps the debris in its stable centre, where it can remain for decades or even centuries. The amount of debris in the GPGP accumulates because much of it is not biodegradable. Plastics, for example, do not wear down; instead, they break into increasingly tiny pieces called microplastics. These microplastics cannot always be seen by the naked eye, and even satellite imagery does not reveal a giant patch of garbage. Instead, the GPGP appears as a cloudy soup, intermixed with larger items such as fishing gear and shoes.

The GPGP is estimated to cover a surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres, twice the size of Texas or triple the size of France. It contains 1.8 trillion pieces larger than 0.5 mm, with a mass of approximately 100,000 tonnes. The patch is believed to have increased by ten times each decade since 1945, and it is rapidly accumulating. While microplastics dominate the area by count, 92% of the mass of the patch consists of larger objects. Some of the plastic is over 50 years old, and includes items such as plastic lighters, toothbrushes, water bottles, pens, baby bottles, cell phones, plastic bags, and nurdles.

The GPGP is primarily composed of plastic waste from fishing activities at sea. A 2022 study reported that 75% to 86% of the plastic pollution in the GPGP comes from fishing and agriculture, with most emissions originating from Japan, China, South Korea, the US, and Taiwan. Discarded fishing gear such as buoys, lines, nets, crates, eel traps, and oyster spacers are commonly found in the patch. The strong, buoyant plastics used in fishing gear are transported over long distances by converging currents before accumulating in the patch. Once these plastics enter the gyre, they are unlikely to leave until they degrade into microplastics.

Plastic waste and climate change

Plastic waste is a significant contributor to climate change. As plastic is derived from fossil fuels, it emits greenhouse gases at every stage of its life cycle, from extraction to disposal. The production, refining, and manufacture of plastics are carbon-intensive activities, with the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels for plastic factories emitting 1.5 to 12.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. The incineration of plastic waste also releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.

The problem of plastic waste is not limited to the emissions associated with its production and disposal. Plastic waste, especially single-use plastics, contributes to environmental degradation and pollution. Rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution, with plastic leaking into oceans from thousands of sources worldwide daily. This plastic pollution has far-reaching consequences for marine life, human health, and the economy. Marine organisms that ingest plastics may suffer harm or death, and plastics can also act as a pathway for transferring harmful contaminants through food webs, impacting all life forms, including humans. The economic costs of plastic pollution in sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and shipping are estimated at a minimum of $8 billion USD annually.

The impact of plastic waste on climate change is further exacerbated by its persistence in the environment. Plastic can take over 1,000 years to decompose, and during this time, it can break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by wildlife and humans, leading to health issues such as punctured organs, intestinal blockages, hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and even cancer. Microplastics have been found everywhere on Earth, from Mount Everest to the Marianas Trench, underscoring the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.

Addressing plastic waste is crucial in mitigating its impact on climate change. Strategies such as reducing overall plastic use, eliminating non-essential plastics, improving waste management systems, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives are essential. However, it is important to note that some proposed solutions, such as transforming plastic waste into fuel, may not adequately address climate change concerns. As the international community strives to move away from fossil fuels, the interconnectedness of plastics and climate change must be recognized to effectively tackle both crises.

While there is no single solution to the complex issue of plastic waste and its impact on climate change, a comprehensive approach that considers the entire life cycle of plastics and involves collaboration between governments, industries, and communities is necessary. By reducing plastic production, improving recycling and waste management practices, and transitioning to more sustainable alternatives, we can jointly tackle the climate crisis and plastic pollution crisis.

Plastic pollution and marine life

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a grave threat to marine life. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually. The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems is diverse and far-reaching, with plastic entanglement and ingestion being the primary causes of harm to marine creatures.

Plastic debris in the ocean, such as discarded fishing gear and single-use plastics, can ensnare and entangle marine animals, hindering their movement and escape abilities. This entanglement often leads to injuries, starvation, increased vulnerability to predators, and even death. Large marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are particularly susceptible to entanglement in ghost fishing gear, resulting in an estimated 300,000 fatalities each year.

Ingestion of plastic is another critical concern for marine life. Sea turtles, for instance, often mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural prey, or ingest plastic fragments that resemble seaweed. This ingestion can lead to choking, internal injuries, and a false sense of fullness, causing starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and this issue extends to other species as well. Seabirds, attracted to small plastic fragments on the water's surface, often consume them, leading to detrimental effects on their health and survival.

Moreover, plastic pollution in the ocean acts as a vector for the transfer of harmful contaminants. Persistent organic pollutants adhere to the surface of plastic debris, and when marine organisms ingest this polluted plastic, they absorb these toxins into their bodies. This phenomenon, known as biomagnification, results in a higher concentration of toxins in the fatty tissues of animals higher up the food chain, such as orcas, whose young are then fed breast milk containing these accumulated chemicals.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate harm to individual marine organisms. It also disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Discarded fishing nets can smother and damage coral reefs, hindering their healthy growth. Additionally, plastic debris has been found to transport invasive marine species, further exacerbating the ecological disruptions in these environments.

Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Prevention is key, focusing on minimizing plastic leakage into the environment, improving waste management practices, promoting recycling and eco-friendly alternatives, and reducing the toxicity of plastics. By tackling this issue at its source, we can protect marine life and preserve the health of our oceans.

Strategies to reduce plastic pollution

The first step in reducing plastic pollution is to reduce plastic use. This involves a change in habits and mindset, such as refusing single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives. For example, instead of using plastic bags, straws, and takeout utensils, one can use reusable grocery bags, refuse straws, and carry reusable utensils. Single-use plastic bans are also being implemented at the country level, with Europe banning the sale of single-use plastic items such as drinking straws, cutlery, and cotton buds within its borders in 2021.

Another strategy is to improve waste management and recycling capacity. This includes funding critical waste management systems in high-risk regions and improving recycling infrastructure. Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled, and about 22% of plastic waste worldwide is either not collected, improperly disposed of, or littered. Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, and better waste management can help prevent plastic from entering waterways.

Additionally, individuals can contribute by borrowing items instead of buying new ones, reducing consumption, and properly recycling plastic waste.

Businesses can also play a role by offering alternative plastic-free products and packaging. For example, packaging providers are launching ocean plastic products and packaging, such as dissolvable plastics, biodegradable additives, and compostable polymers. However, it is important to approach new materials with caution and fully understand their environmental impact.

Finally, organizations like the Plastic Pollution Emissions Group aim to address this issue by providing science-based evidence to inform governments of the most effective strategies to reduce plastic leakage into the oceans. This includes evaluating mitigation strategies at the country and global levels and supporting countries in choosing the best strategies within their resource capacities and social contexts.

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