Reducing Ocean Plastic Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Future

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. With millions of tons of plastic waste contaminating our seas, it is essential that we take collective action to address this global problem. The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean originates from land, ending up in the sea through wind, water streams, and sewage systems. While some efforts have been made to clean up the oceans, the most effective approach is to focus on preventing plastic from reaching our rivers and coastlines in the first place. This involves individual behavioural changes, such as reducing single-use plastic consumption and proper recycling, as well as systemic changes, including improved waste management and legislation to curb plastic production. By working together and implementing sustainable practices, we can significantly reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and protect our marine environments for future generations.

Reduce single-use plastic

Reducing single-use plastic is one of the most effective ways to tackle plastic pollution in the ocean. Single-use plastics are goods made from fossil fuel-based chemicals and are thrown away after one use. They include plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, straws, cups, utensils, and containers.

Refuse and Reduce

The first step is to refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and containers. You can also reduce your use of these items by opting for reusable alternatives. For example, carry a reusable water bottle, coffee mug, utensils, and food storage containers with you when you're on the go. You can also refuse plastic bags at stores by bringing your own washable, reusable bags.

Reuse and Repurpose

Instead of throwing away single-use plastic items, find ways to reuse or repurpose them. For example, stash plastic utensils and containers to reuse for crafts, gardening, or donating to a daycare or shelter. You can also cut open plastic bottles and use them as plant watering spouts or to protect fragile plants from slugs and snails.

Recycle

Recycling is another important way to reduce single-use plastic waste. However, it's important to recycle properly and understand what types of plastic your local recycling program accepts. Some plastics cannot be recycled and can contaminate the recycling process if mixed with recyclable plastics. Look for recycling symbols on products and check with your local recycling center to ensure you're recycling correctly.

Support Legislation and Businesses with Sustainable Practices

In addition to individual actions, supporting legislation that reduces plastic production and improves waste management is crucial. Advocate for policies that ban or limit single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. Also, support businesses that have ditched single-use plastics and recognize and promote local restaurants and companies that use sustainable practices.

Recycle effectively

Recycling is second nature to many people, but when it comes to plastics, most householders are uncertain about what can and can't be recycled. To recycle effectively, it's important to understand the rules in your area and actively follow the recycling symbols on plastic items.

In the UK, for example, there is no unified recycling system, and councils have different rules about what can and cannot be recycled. Some plastics can never be recycled, and when placed with recyclable plastics, they can contaminate the process and simply move the plastic pollution issue to a new location.

To recycle effectively and help reduce plastic pollution, it is essential to know what types of plastic your local recycling centre accepts. You can do this by checking with your local recycling centre or using online resources, such as Earth911's recycling directory. By following the recycling symbols and guidelines, you can ensure that your plastic waste is properly recycled and diverted from the ocean.

Additionally, recycling should be complemented with conscious consumption choices. Refuse single-use plastics whenever possible, and opt for reusable alternatives such as grocery bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups. By reducing the demand for single-use plastics, you can help minimise the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean.

Remember, recycling is just one part of the solution to plastic pollution. It is also crucial to support legislation that addresses plastic production and waste management, participate in beach cleanups, avoid products containing microplastics, and support organisations dedicated to tackling plastic pollution.

Boycott microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that are added to cosmetic and personal care products such as face scrubs, toothpastes, body washes, and shower gels. They are designed to help with exfoliation and are washed down the drain after use. However, due to their small size, they often slip through wastewater treatment plants and end up in oceans and other bodies of water. This has led to a growing concern about their impact on marine life and the environment.

Microbeads are too small to be captured by water treatment systems, allowing them to enter our waterways and build up in bodies of water. They do not degrade over time and can be ingested by fish, potentially entering the human food chain. Additionally, they have the ability to absorb and concentrate toxins, causing indigestion issues and even death in marine animals. Their presence in our oceans and ecosystems far outweighs any benefits they may provide in personal care products.

Individuals can play a crucial role in reducing plastic pollution by boycotting products containing microbeads. We can immediately stop purchasing and using such products, checking ingredient labels for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene" to identify microbeads. We should also pressure governments and manufacturers to ban the use of microbeads and stop producing and selling products containing them. It is important to let retailers know that we will not buy products with microbeads because they are harmful to the environment.

Alternative Options

There are several natural alternatives to microbeads that are effective and environmentally friendly. These include beads made from jojoba plant oil, as well as products like salt, coffee, whole oats, and rosehip seeds, which can be used for exfoliation without damaging marine life. Companies have already begun to remove microbeads from their products and explore alternative ingredients, ensuring that our oceans and personal care routines can coexist sustainably.

Support legislation to curb plastic production

While individual action is important, it is not enough to solve the problem of ocean plastic pollution. To effectively tackle this issue, it is crucial to advocate for and support legislation that aims to curb plastic production and waste. Here are some ways to do this:

Support and Advocate for Legislation

Support existing legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution, such as the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States, which is a comprehensive federal bill. Additionally, there are state-level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, making plastic producers and distributors accountable for their products and packaging at the end of their life cycle. Support these initiatives and urge your local and national representatives to prioritize them.

International Efforts

At the international level, a global plastics treaty has been enacted, signed by 175 United Nations member states. This treaty will establish global rules and regulations to combat plastic pollution. Support and promote these international efforts to address the plastic pollution crisis.

Local Policy Adoption

Encourage the adoption of policies in your community that limit or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. These items are often the most common sources of plastic pollution and can be replaced with reusable alternatives.

Recycling and Waste Management

Advocate for legislation that improves waste management systems and increases recycling rates. Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled globally, and better waste management can help keep plastics out of the ocean. Support policies that hold plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate and encourage the development of more sustainable alternatives.

Participate in Cleanups

Get involved in beach or river cleanups to directly remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from entering in the first place. This can be done by joining local organizations or international events like the Global Ocean Cleanup or the International Coastal Cleanup. These efforts not only help address the immediate problem but also raise awareness and build momentum for legislative change.

Clean up beaches and rivers

Beach and river cleanups are one of the most effective ways to deal with ocean plastics and microplastics. They are also one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight ocean plastic pollution.

A study found that, for the first five years after entering the ocean from land, 77% of plastic remained on beaches or floated in coastal waters. This means that cleaning up beaches and rivers can prevent plastics from reaching the ocean in the first place.

There are a number of organisations that arrange beach cleanups for volunteers, such as The Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, American Littoral Society, and Ocean Blue Project.

Beach cleanups can also be organised locally, and there are always local cleans happening around the UK. For example, the Marine Conservation Society hosts a UK-wide cleanup in September called the Great British Beach Clean.

River cleanups are also important, as most plastic enters the ocean from rivers. Ocean Cleanup has river cleanup technology called Interceptors, which are solar-powered catamaran-like vessels that are put into the mouth of polluted rivers. So far, eight Interceptors have removed over 2.2 million pounds of trash from rivers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.

Another river cleanup technology is AlphaMERS, an Indian company that makes stainless steel mesh fences that block river trash. Thirty-four fences are currently installed in eight Indian cities.

A Dutch startup has also installed its first Bubble Barrier in an Amsterdam canal. A perforated tube placed diagonally at the bottom of a river pumps out air, generating a bubble curtain that pushes plastic waste to the side and into a catchment system. A Bubble Barrier in Katwijk, Netherlands, prevents plastics from reaching the North Sea, and others are being planned for Portugal and Southeast Asia.

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