Ocean Plastic Pollution: Solutions For A Cleaner Future

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that requires collective action from individuals, communities, and governments. While individual efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic are essential, they are not enough to address the scale of the problem. To make a significant impact, we need systemic changes, such as legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate. This includes advocating for a ban on microbeads and other microplastics that contribute to marine litter. By combining individual behavioural changes with advocacy for legislative action, we can make a meaningful difference in tackling ocean plastic pollution.

Refuse single-use plastics

Refusing single-use plastics is one of the most effective ways to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. Single-use plastics include items such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and containers. By refusing these items, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans.

One way to refuse single-use plastics is to carry reusable alternatives with you. For example, instead of using plastic bags, you can bring your own reusable grocery bags. You can also purchase reusable versions of other single-use plastic items, such as bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and produce bags. By investing in these reusable alternatives, you can help reduce the demand for single-use plastics and minimise your contribution to plastic pollution.

Another way to refuse single-use plastics is to be mindful of the products you purchase. Many everyday items, such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, sunscreen, and washing powder, contain microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. These microplastics are often washed down the drain and contribute to marine plastic pollution. By choosing natural alternatives or products that do not contain microplastics, you can help reduce this type of plastic pollution.

Additionally, it is important to understand the recycling guidelines in your area. Recycling is a crucial step in reducing plastic waste, but it can be confusing due to the varying rules across different councils. Take the time to learn about the specific recycling symbols and what your local council accepts for recycling. This knowledge will help ensure that you are recycling correctly and not inadvertently contributing to plastic pollution through contaminated recycling.

Finally, when you refuse single-use plastic items, it is helpful to communicate your preferences to businesses. Let them know that you would like them to offer more sustainable alternatives. This feedback is valuable for businesses as it demonstrates consumer demand for environmentally friendly options. By refusing single-use plastics and advocating for change, you can make a significant impact in reducing plastic pollution in our oceans.

Use reusable alternatives

One of the best ways to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean is to use reusable alternatives to single-use plastics. This includes refusing any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeaway utensils and containers, and instead purchasing and carrying reusable versions of these products. This can include reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups and dry cleaning garment bags. When you refuse single-use plastic items, it is also helpful to let businesses know that you would like them to offer alternatives.

It is important to note that changing individual behaviours is not enough to stop ocean plastic pollution. We also need legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate.

In addition to using reusable alternatives, recycling is another way to reduce plastic pollution. However, it is important to understand what your area allows to be recycled and to actively follow recycling symbols on plastic products. Without a unified recycling system, different councils have different rules around what can and cannot be recycled. Some plastics cannot be recycled and can contaminate the process if mixed with recyclable plastics.

To further reduce plastic pollution, it is important to avoid using products that contain microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. Microplastics are commonly found in "down the drain" products such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, sunscreen and washing powder. By choosing alternatives that do not contain microplastics, you can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering our oceans.

Support legislation to reduce plastic production

While individual actions are important, they are not enough to stop plastic pollution in the ocean. We need to support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate. This includes advocating for laws that ban single-use plastics and microbeads, commonly found in facial scrubs, toothpaste, sunscreen, and washing powder. These tiny plastic particles, less than 5mm in size, are a significant source of ocean pollution.

To support legislation effectively, it is essential to understand the current recycling system in your area and actively follow recycling symbols on plastic products. This knowledge will help reduce plastic pollution by ensuring that only recyclable materials are placed in recycling bins, preventing contamination and the relocation of plastic pollution to new areas.

Another way to support legislation is by encouraging businesses to offer alternatives to single-use plastic items. When refusing single-use plastics, let businesses know that you would like them to provide reusable options. This sends a clear message to companies and helps build momentum for legislative change.

Additionally, we can advocate for laws that improve waste management systems. This includes supporting initiatives that promote proper disposal and recycling of plastics, as well as holding plastic producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. By ensuring that plastic waste is managed effectively, we can reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans.

Finally, we can join or support organisations that are actively lobbying for legislation to reduce plastic production. These organisations often have the resources and expertise to effectively advocate for legislative change. By joining their efforts, we can amplify our voices and increase the likelihood of successful policy changes to address plastic pollution in the ocean.

Join a community to fight plastic waste

Joining a community to fight plastic waste is a great way to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. One such community is the Oceanic Society, which has members worldwide who are committed to taking joyful daily actions that improve ocean health. Members of this community have taken part in a 7-day challenge and cleaned up San Francisco's Ocean Beach.

Another way to join a community to fight plastic waste is to lobby for a ban on microbeads. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size and are widely used in 'down the drain' products such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, sunscreen and washing powder. By campaigning for a ban on these products, you can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans.

You can also join a community to fight plastic waste by participating in beach clean-ups or other local initiatives. These efforts help to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean and can have a significant impact when done consistently.

Finally, you can advocate for legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate. This can include supporting campaigns for a unified recycling system, as currently, most UK householders are uncertain about what can and cannot be recycled when it comes to plastics. By joining a community that advocates for such legislation, you can amplify your voice and create a stronger impact.

Understand your local recycling rules

Recycling is a great way to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. However, it can be confusing to know what can and can't be recycled, as different councils have different rules. To help, you can:

• Find out what your local recycling rules are and follow them. This includes understanding the recycling symbols on plastics.
• Only put items in your recycling bin that you know can be recycled in your area. This is important because some plastics can never be recycled, and if they're mixed with recyclable plastics, they can contaminate the process and simply move the plastic pollution issue to a new location.
• Refuse single-use plastics that you don't need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils and containers. Instead, carry reusable versions of these products with you, such as grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils and coffee cups.
• Help businesses by letting them know that you would like them to offer alternatives to single-use plastic items.

Frequently asked questions