Combating Ocean Pollution: Strategies For A Sustainable Future

Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to marine life and human health. With millions of tons of plastic contaminating our seas, it is essential to address this problem through systemic change. While cleanup efforts are commendable, they are not a long-term solution. The key to tackling ocean pollution lies in a combination of individual actions and collective efforts.

- Reducing the use of single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives.

- Participating in river and beach clean-up initiatives to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean.

- Properly disposing of waste, especially hazardous materials and non-biodegradable items.

- Advocating for effective policies and regulations to ban or limit the use of harmful plastics.

- Supporting organisations dedicated to ocean conservation and participating in campaigns to raise awareness.

Reduce plastic consumption

Reducing plastic consumption is one of the most effective ways to combat ocean pollution. Here are some ways to reduce plastic consumption and, in turn, ocean plastic pollution:

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. The best way to reduce their consumption is by refusing any single-use plastics that you do not need and purchasing and carrying reusable versions of those products, such as reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and dry cleaning garment bags.

Boycott Microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic scrubbers found in many beauty products, such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, and body washes. Due to their small size, they can slip through water treatment plants and are often mistaken as food by marine animals. Opt for products with natural exfoliants, like oatmeal or salt, instead.

Purchase Items Secondhand

Consider buying secondhand items (plastic or otherwise) from thrift stores, garage sales, or online. This reduces the demand for new plastic products and helps reuse existing plastic items.

Buy in Bulk and Look for Eco-Friendly Packaging

Single-serving yogurts, tiny packages of nuts—consider the product-to-packaging ratio of items and select larger containers instead of buying several smaller ones. Look for opportunities to buy staples like rice and pasta from bulk containers and store them in jars at home. Choose products in non-plastic packaging, such as a glass jar of honey instead of a squeezable plastic bottle.

Choose Clothing Made from Natural Fibers

Synthetic fibres found in materials like nylon, acrylic, polyester, and fleece are a significant source of microplastics in the ocean. These fibres are shed from our clothes and end up in the ocean through our laundry machines and wastewater plants. Opt for clothing and textiles made from natural materials, like cotton and wool, instead.

Support a Bag Tax or Ban

Urge your local government representatives to introduce or support legislation that discourages the use of plastic bags. Many cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, have already implemented such measures, and your support can help make a difference in your community.

Participate in Beach or River Cleanups

Join local organisations or international events, such as the Global Ocean Cleanup or the International Coastal Cleanup, in cleaning up your local beach or waterway. This is a direct and rewarding way to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean and protect marine life.

Support Legislation to Curb Plastic Production and Waste

In addition to individual actions, supporting legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable is crucial. Advocate for laws that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeaway containers, and bottles.

Recycle Effectively

Recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean and reduces the amount of "new" plastic in circulation. Understand what types of plastic can be recycled in your area and actively follow recycling symbols on plastic products. However, remember that reducing plastic consumption is still a better option than solely relying on recycling.

Improve waste disposal practices

Improving waste disposal practices is a critical aspect of reducing ocean pollution. Here are some detailed suggestions to enhance waste disposal practices and mitigate ocean pollution:

Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Plastic pollution is one of the most significant threats to ocean health, with low recycling rates and poor waste management. By reducing the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, and take-out containers, we can make a significant impact. Refuse any unnecessary single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives, such as grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups. Encourage businesses to offer more sustainable options and support legislation that curbs plastic production and improves waste management.

Properly Dispose of Hazardous Substances

Hazardous chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, and cleaning products should be disposed of properly. Choose non-toxic alternatives whenever possible and ensure that these substances do not end up in waterways or the ocean.

Support Legislation for Improved Waste Management

Advocate for and support legislation that reduces plastic production, holds plastic producers accountable for their waste, and promotes improved waste management practices. This includes local, national, and international laws and policies that address the plastic pollution crisis.

Participate in Beach and Waterway Cleanups

Get directly involved by participating in or organizing cleanups of local beaches, rivers, or waterways. This prevents plastic and other waste from reaching the ocean and is a rewarding way to make a difference.

Avoid Products with Microbeads

Microbeads, found in some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes, are a growing source of ocean plastic pollution. Avoid products containing "polythelene" and "polypropylene" to reduce the presence of these tiny plastic particles in the ocean and waterways.

Educate and Advocate for Better Waste Disposal

Share information about proper waste disposal practices with friends, family, and the community. Educate others about the impact of plastic pollution and encourage eco-friendly choices. Advocate for better waste management policies and support organizations working to reduce plastic pollution.

Reduce chemical fertiliser use

Chemical fertilisers are a major source of ocean pollution. They are a key contributor to poor water quality, as they contain phosphorus, which is water-soluble and acts as 'junk food' for algae. This leads to algae blooms, which reduce the clarity and visibility of the water, thereby reducing photosynthesis by oxygen-producing aquatic plants, and thus the oxygen levels in the water. This can result in fish kills and a depletion of the water habitat for fish, wildlife and humans.

To reduce chemical fertiliser use, it is important to adopt nutrient management techniques. Farmers can improve their nutrient management practices by applying nutrients (fertiliser and manure) in the correct amount, at the right time of year, with the right method, and with the right placement. This can significantly reduce how much fertiliser reaches water bodies.

Farmers should also ensure year-round ground cover by planting cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on farm fields when the soil is most susceptible to erosion and loss into waterways.

Another way to reduce chemical fertiliser use is to implement conservation tillage, which involves reducing how often and how intensely fields are tilled. This can improve soil health, reduce erosion, runoff and soil compaction, and decrease the chance of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff.

Finally, farmers can plant field buffers, such as trees, shrubs and grasses, along the edges of fields, particularly those bordering water bodies. These planted buffers can help prevent nutrient loss from fields by absorbing or filtering out nutrients before they reach a water body.

Opt for reusable bottles and utensils

Opting for reusable bottles and utensils is a great way to reduce ocean pollution. Plastic bottles and utensils are among the most common items found in our oceans and waterways, and they can take hundreds of years to decompose. By choosing reusable options, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans.

The average person uses 13 plastic water bottles per month. By switching to a reusable water bottle, you can help cut down on plastic bottle use by approximately 156 bottles per year. That's a significant reduction in plastic waste! Reusable bottles are also better for your wallet, saving you money in the long run.

But it's not just about water bottles. Single-use plastic utensils, such as straws, spoons, and forks, are also major contributors to ocean pollution. These items are often used for just a few minutes but can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries. By choosing reusable utensils, you can further reduce your plastic footprint and help protect our oceans.

The benefits of reusable bottles and utensils go beyond just reducing plastic waste. These items are often made from more durable materials, such as stainless steel or glass, which can be washed and reused multiple times. This not only saves you money but also reduces the amount of resources needed to produce new bottles and utensils.

Making the switch to reusable bottles and utensils is a simple yet powerful way to help protect our oceans. It's a small change that can have a big impact on the health of our marine ecosystems. So, the next time you reach for a plastic bottle or utensil, consider opting for a reusable alternative instead. Our oceans will thank you!

Support ocean clean-up organisations

There are many organisations dedicated to cleaning up the ocean and protecting marine life. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• The Ocean Conservancy: One of the oldest organisations dedicated to safeguarding the ocean, it was founded by Bill Kardash in 1972. It works worldwide to protect the ocean, its ecosystems and inhabitants, and the communities that depend on it. It also helps develop and implement better government policies and sustainable fishing practices.
• The Ocean Cleanup: A non-profit foundation founded by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat in 2013, it develops new technologies to remove plastic debris from marine ecosystems. It aims to clean up to 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.
• Clean Ocean Action: This organisation works on the Eastern coast of the United States of America to improve and protect the quality of marine waters. It uses science, law, research, education and community engagement to protect national and regional waterways.
• CORAL: Working at local, regional and global levels, CORAL connects with coastal communities and uses innovative science and technologies to protect coral reefs. It is also at the forefront of new research focusing on how corals adapt to changing ocean conditions.
• The Sea Life Trust: A registered charity organisation, it works to protect the oceans, their wildlife and ecosystems. It supports local and global conservation campaigns and runs two marine wildlife sanctuaries: the Beluga Whale Sanctuary off the coast of Iceland, and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in the UK.
• Surfrider Foundation: A powerful activist community and network that works and volunteers for the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches.
• Marine Conservation Institute: This organisation focuses on helping create a worldwide network of Blue Parks, which are highly protected areas within the ocean. It aims to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
• Oceana: One of the largest international advocacy organisations focused on ocean conservation, it creates and implements strategic, directed campaigns focused on specific outcomes related to ocean biodiversity and conservation.
• Ocean Blue Project: A Virginia-based national, nonprofit ocean cleanup organisation working in 15 states in the USA, with goals to save the ocean by removing microplastics.
• 4Ocean: This organisation runs a global ocean cleanup operation with a full-time crew recovering harmful marine debris. It also educates and empowers people to fight against plastic pollution.

Frequently asked questions