Removing Plastic Pollution From Our Oceans: Innovative Solutions

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to ocean health and marine life. With only about 9% of plastics being recycled, the rest often ends up in landfills and oceans, causing harm to the environment, human health, and economies. The annual flow of plastic into the ocean is projected to triple by 2040, with plastic production continuing to increase. This has severe consequences for marine animals, coastal environments, and industries such as fisheries and tourism. To address this issue, various solutions are being explored, including innovative technologies, global initiatives, and individual actions. The removal of plastic pollution from oceans is a complex challenge that requires a combination of systemic changes, increased recycling, and the development of biodegradable plastic alternatives.

Reduce single-use plastics

Reducing single-use plastics is one of the most effective ways to tackle the plastic pollution problem in our oceans. Here are some ways to reduce single-use plastics:

Refuse and Reuse

The simplest way to reduce single-use plastic is to refuse any that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, and takeout utensils and containers. Instead, purchase and carry reusable versions of these products, such as grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and dry cleaning garment bags.

Support Legislation

Support local, national, and international legislation that reduces plastic production and improves waste management. For example, the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States is a comprehensive federal bill that aims to address the plastic pollution crisis. There are also state-level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, making plastic producers and distributors responsible for their products' entire life cycle.

Encourage Businesses to Offer Alternatives

When you refuse single-use plastic items, let businesses know that you would like them to offer more sustainable alternatives.

Participate in Cleanups

Join or organize a cleanup of your local beach or waterway. This is a direct and rewarding way to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean and remove existing plastic pollution.

Avoid Products with Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are a growing source of ocean plastic pollution. They are found in some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes, and they enter our oceans and waterways through sewer systems. Avoid products containing microplastics by checking the ingredient labels of your cosmetic products for "polythelene" and "polypropylene".

Support Charities and Campaigns

Support charities and campaigns that are challenging plastic pollution and pushing for environmental change. For example, the Marine Conservation Society in the UK hosts a week-long cleanup event in September called the Great British Beach Clean.

Reduce, Substitute, and Properly Dispose

Reduce plastic consumption, substitute plastic with compostable materials, and properly dispose of plastics that can't be recycled.

Support legislation to curb plastic production

While individual action is important, it is not enough to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. To make a significant impact, we need to address the systemic issues that contribute to plastic waste. This includes supporting legislation that aims to curb plastic production and improve waste management. Here are some ways you can get involved:

Learn about existing legislation

Educate yourself on the existing laws and regulations regarding plastic production and waste management in your country or state. For example, in the United States, the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is a comprehensive federal bill that addresses the plastic pollution crisis. At the state level, there are also initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, which holds plastic producers and distributors accountable for their products' entire lifecycle.

Advocate for stronger laws

Use your voice to advocate for stronger laws and regulations that reduce plastic production and improve waste management practices. Contact your local, state, or national representatives to express your support for legislation that addresses plastic pollution. You can also sign petitions, join campaigns, and participate in protests to show your support for these issues.

Support global efforts

On an international level, hundreds of organizations and businesses collaborated with United Nations member states to enact a global plastics treaty, which has been signed by 175 member states. This treaty sets global rules and regulations to reduce plastic pollution worldwide. Show your support for this treaty and encourage your government to commit to its implementation.

Encourage corporate responsibility

Another way to curb plastic production is to support initiatives that promote corporate responsibility for plastic waste. For example, legislation can be enacted to shift the burden of plastic waste from consumers to the plastics industry. This can be done by imposing taxes or bans on single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. These measures not only reduce plastic waste but also encourage companies to adopt more sustainable practices.

Vote with your wallet

As a consumer, you have the power to influence businesses and industries. Choose to support companies that are committed to reducing their plastic consumption and adopting eco-friendly alternatives. Avoid products with excessive packaging, especially single-use plastics. By making more conscious choices, you can send a strong message to corporations and encourage them to prioritize sustainability.

Turn plastic waste into energy

Turning plastic waste into energy is a promising solution to the plastic pollution crisis. With only 9% of plastic recycled globally, the remaining plastic waste ends up in oceans and landfills, causing detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems.

Cold Plasma Pyrolysis

A process called "cold plasma pyrolysis" can convert plastic waste into clean energy sources such as hydrogen, methane, and ethylene. This process involves heating organic materials at temperatures between 400°C and 650°C in an environment with limited oxygen. The incorporation of cold plasma helps recover valuable chemicals and materials, such as ethylene, which is the basic building block of most plastics.

Advantages

The advantages of cold plasma pyrolysis include:

• Recovering valuable materials: This process can extract valuable chemicals and materials from plastic waste, such as ethylene, which can be reused in industrial processes.
• Reduced environmental impact: By converting plastic waste into clean fuels, this method can help reduce the amount of plastic incinerated and lower carbon emissions.
• Rapid and cost-effective: With a reaction time of seconds, cold plasma pyrolysis is rapid and potentially cheaper than other methods.
• Business opportunities: Turning waste into a valuable product offers a range of business prospects.

Challenges and Concerns

However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and concerns associated with converting plastic waste into energy:

• Environmental and health considerations: The chemical recycling of plastics releases harmful pollutants such as nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxides, and particulate matter.
• Spontaneous ignition: The resulting fuel from plastic waste has a lower flashpoint, increasing the risk of spontaneous ignition.
• Feedstock variability: The raw products used in plastics vary across different regions, which can pose challenges during the pyrolysis process.
• Overreliance on plastics: Critics argue that waste-to-fuel programs do not address the core issue of plastic overconsumption and only increase their usefulness.

While turning plastic waste into energy shows promise, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks and explore a range of solutions to address the plastic pollution crisis effectively.

Improve waste management infrastructure

Improving waste management infrastructure is critical to tackling the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans. Here are some ways this can be achieved:

Improve waste collection and disposal systems

Currently, about 22% of plastic waste worldwide is either not collected, improperly disposed of, or ends up as litter. This uncollected waste often ends up in waterways and oceans, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. By investing in better waste collection systems, such as regular garbage collection services and proper disposal facilities, we can prevent plastic waste from entering our oceans.

Promote recycling and reduce plastic consumption

Only 9% of plastic is recycled globally, while half of all plastic waste still goes straight to landfills. By promoting recycling and providing more accessible recycling facilities, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean. Additionally, reducing plastic consumption and promoting reusable alternatives can also lessen the burden on waste management systems.

Implement legislation and policies

Legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste is essential. Governments can introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, which makes producers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging at the end of their life cycle. Policies that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items can also be effective in reducing plastic pollution.

Focus on middle-income countries

Most plastic emissions come from middle-income countries, where plastic usage is increasing, but adequate waste management systems are lacking. By providing support and investment in waste management infrastructure in these countries, the risk of plastic leakage into the oceans can be significantly reduced.

Educate and raise awareness

Educating communities about the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling can help reduce plastic pollution. Individuals can play a role by refusing single-use plastics, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting organisations addressing plastic pollution. Public awareness campaigns can also highlight the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems, encouraging behavioural changes to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste.

Clean up beaches and rivers

Beach and river cleanups are one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight plastic pollution in the ocean. They are also one of the most effective ways of dealing with ocean plastics and microplastics, as they prevent plastics from reaching the ocean in the first place.

How to Clean Up Beaches and Rivers

• Individuals can help by simply going to their local beach or waterway and collecting plastic waste on their own or with friends or family.
• People can also join a local organization's cleanup or an international event like the Global Ocean Cleanup or the International Coastal Cleanup.
• There are a number of organizations that regularly arrange beach cleanups for volunteers, including The Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, American Littoral Society, and Ocean Blue Project.

How to Prevent Plastic from Reaching the Ocean

Most plastic enters the ocean from rivers. Scientists have found that 1,000 rivers around the world are responsible for 80% of the plastic in rivers that ends up in the ocean. Therefore, cleaning up rivers is crucial to preventing plastic pollution in the ocean.

River Cleanup Technology

• The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit organization, has developed river cleanup technology called Interceptors. These are solar-powered catamaran-like vessels that are put into the mouth of polluted rivers. As the water flows, trash is guided by a barrier onto a conveyor belt that dumps it into a shuttle. The shuttle then carries the trash to dumpsters on a barge, which are brought to the riverside and emptied at a waste management facility.
• Another river cleanup technology is the Bubble Barrier. A perforated tube placed diagonally at the bottom of a river pumps out air, generating a bubble curtain. When the river current meets the bubble barrier, plastic waste is pushed to the side and into a catchment system. This technology enables ships and migrating fish to pass through the bubbles easily.
• AlphaMERS, an Indian company, makes stainless steel mesh fences that block river trash. The angle of the barriers directs the trash towards the shore where it is collected.

How to Support River and Beach Cleanups

• Individuals can support river and beach cleanups by donating to organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup, which aims to clean up 90% of floating ocean plastic pollution by 2040.
• People can also support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and makes plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate. For example, the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States is a comprehensive federal bill that aims to address the plastic pollution crisis.
• Individuals can also support organizations addressing plastic pollution, such as the Oceanic Society, Plastic Pollution Coalition, 5 Gyres, and Algalita.

Frequently asked questions