Helena Joyce
Plastic pollution has become one of the most serious threats humanity faces. Plastics have been around for just over a century, but plastic pollution has been a global crisis for several decades. By 2015, 60% of all plastic ever produced had become waste, and today, plastic waste is everywhere: in the air, soil, freshwater, and sea. It has been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. Plastic pollution has negatively impacted hundreds of species of wildlife and ecosystems, and ultimately, it harms humans too.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution's impact on wildlife
Plastic pollution has been a global crisis for over a century, since the creation of the first fully synthetic plastic in 1907. The issue has become increasingly pressing in the last few decades, with plastic production doubling in the last 20 years.
Plastic pollution has a devastating impact on wildlife, affecting millions of animals every year. From the tiniest creatures in the soil to large marine mammals, no species is immune to the dangers of plastic waste.
Marine life is particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution. It is estimated that 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic are currently in the world's oceans, with plastic waste being found everywhere from the Arctic ice sheets to the sea floor. Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, causing intestinal injuries and death. Research has also found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish sold at markets in California.
Sea turtles are another species that is frequently affected by plastic pollution. They often mistake floating plastic garbage for food, which can lead to choking, internal injuries, and starvation. Tragically, half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
Endangered species are also at risk, with nearly 700 species, including the Hawaiian monk seal and Pacific loggerhead sea turtle, known to eat and get entangled in plastic litter.
Plastic pollution is not just limited to the oceans. Microplastics have been found in soil, groundwater, and drinking water systems, affecting terrestrial animals and the food we grow. A 2020 study found that terrestrial microplastic pollution has led to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures, resulting in less fertile soil and land.
Birds are also impacted by plastic pollution, with nearly every species of seabird consuming plastic. Land-based birds are not immune either, as they can mistake small plastic items for food.
The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife is far-reaching and devastating, affecting the health and survival of countless species. With plastic production projected to increase in the coming years, the crisis is only expected to worsen unless urgent action is taken to address it.
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Plastic pollution in drinking water
Plastic pollution has been a global crisis for over a century, with the first fully synthetic plastic invented in 1907. The crisis has only worsened over time, with the last two decades seeing a doubling of global plastic production. Plastic pollution is a major threat to the environment, human health, and economies. It affects all ecosystems, including freshwater systems, and is a significant contributor to climate change.
The primary source of plastic pollution in drinking water is the improper disposal of single-use plastic products, such as bottles, food wrappings, and bags. These items make up a significant portion of marine debris and can end up in waterways, eventually reaching freshwater systems. Additionally, microplastics can be released into the environment during the manufacturing process, with a significant proportion of plastic pollution in oceans originating from industrial fishing activities.
The impact of plastic pollution in drinking water extends beyond human health. It also affects ecosystems and biodiversity. Research has shown that plastic debris in oceans accumulates pollutants and transports them through ocean currents. Marine life that ingests plastics coated with these pollutants can absorb them into their bodies, leading to detrimental effects on growth and survival. This has consequences for the human food chain, as fish and other marine organisms are consumed by humans.
To address plastic pollution in drinking water, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Improving waste management strategies and reducing the consumption of single-use plastics are crucial steps. Additionally, global efforts to phase out harmful plastic products and adopt strong national plans for plastic reduction and recycling are essential. By tackling plastic pollution at a systemic level, we can help mitigate its presence in drinking water and protect both the environment and human health.
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Plastic pollution in the ocean
Another significant source of plastic pollution in the ocean is abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, buoys, and crates. This type of marine debris can entangle and kill marine animals, including endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles. It is estimated that thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year due to ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it.
Plastic pollution also has indirect effects on marine life. Microplastics, which are small particles that break down from larger plastic items, can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides and dyes and later release them into the ocean. These microplastics have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air, eventually making their way into human blood, lungs, and feces. The impact of microplastics on human health is still being studied, but it is a growing concern.
To address the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean, a systemic transformation is needed to transition to a circular economy. Improving waste management strategies and reducing plastic consumption are crucial steps. Some governments have taken steps to limit or ban the use of single-use plastic bags, and international efforts, such as the UN's global treaty negotiations, are also underway to tackle this global crisis.
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Plastic pollution in less-wealthy nations
Plastic pollution has been a global crisis for over half a century, with the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, produced in 1907. However, the rapid growth of the global plastics industry didn't occur until the 1950s. The annual production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold over the past 70 years, with a more recent surge in the last two decades, doubling the global production of plastic.
Less-wealthy nations bear the brunt of the plastic pollution crisis. The social and environmental costs of the plastic boom have disproportionately burdened poorer people in the developing world. Low- and middle-income countries face unique challenges due to their limited capacity to control or regulate plastic production and ineffective waste management systems.
The costs of plastic across its life cycle, from production to disposal, are significantly higher for low- and middle-income countries than for high-income countries. For example, the mismanagement of plastic waste, which refers to plastic that is not recycled, incinerated, or properly landfilled, costs low- and middle-income countries at least $149 per kilogram of virgin plastic, compared to only $17 per kilogram for wealthier nations. This disparity arises from the lack of infrastructure in less-wealthy nations to manage the waste generated domestically or imported from other countries.
The health risks associated with plastic pollution are also more acute in these countries. Toxic air emissions and chemical spills from petrochemical plants have detrimental effects on human health, and it is estimated that plastic pollution causes up to a million deaths each year in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, the release of toxic chemicals from discarded plastic in large dump sites poses significant risks to both human health and the environment.
The overconsumption of single-use plastics, which account for 40% of annual plastic production, has exacerbated the problem. Innovative solutions, such as bamboo straws and refill-reuse systems, have been explored in countries like the Philippines and India. However, the plastic crisis in less-wealthy nations ultimately stems from the global plastics system, which deprives these countries of decision-making power in plastic production and design considerations.
To address plastic pollution in less-wealthy nations, domestic policies to improve waste management are crucial. Additionally, richer countries can contribute through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure and the adoption of global treaties to regulate plastic production and waste management.
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The history of plastic production
Plastic pollution has been a global crisis for decades, with the first recorded instance of plastic pollution dating back to the 1930s. However, the history of plastic production goes back even further, and understanding this history is crucial to addressing the current crisis.
The development of plastics began with natural materials that exhibited plastic properties, such as shellac and chewing gum. The next step involved chemically modifying natural materials like rubber, nitrocellulose, collagen, and galalite. Around 100 years ago, the first fully synthetic plastics were invented, marking a significant milestone in the history of plastic production.
In 1855, Alexander Parkes created "Parkesine," derived from cellulose and capable of being moulded into various shapes. This invention was presented at the Great International Exhibition in London in 1862. However, it was Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland who created the first fully synthetic plastic, "Bakelite," in 1907 or 1909. Bakelite stood out due to its durability, heat resistance, and suitability for mass production. It could be shaped into almost anything, from electrical insulators to toys.
The plastic industry experienced rapid growth in the 1950s, with the production of LDPE (low-density polyethylene) bottles, the commercialisation of polyester fibres, and the introduction of Tupperware and Velcro. After World War II, the development and production of new plastic products accelerated, revolutionising medicine, space travel, transportation, and everyday life. However, this also led to a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of the plastic produced annually.
Today, plastic pollution is a critical global issue, with plastic waste dumped into oceans, rivers, and lakes daily. While all countries contribute to plastic pollution, it is the developing nations in Asia and Africa with inefficient or non-existent garbage collection systems that often bear the brunt of the problem. To address the crisis, systemic transformations and improved waste management strategies are necessary, alongside a reduction in plastic production and a transition to a circular economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution has been a global crisis since at least the 1950s, when the production of plastic surged. By the end of the 20th century, plastics were known to be persistent polluters of many environmental niches, from Mount Everest to the bottom of the sea.
Plastic pollution has negatively impacted hundreds of species of wildlife across all trophic levels, with evidence that plastics can be transported via trophic transfer. It has also been found to block digestive tracts or pierce organs, causing death. Plastic pollution has also negatively impacted human populations, as microplastics have been found in people's blood, lungs, and feces.
The sources of plastic pollution are numerous, with much of the plastic waste entering the ocean from land, and the rest thought to enter via maritime activities such as fishing vessels and cruise ships. Sources include mismanaged waste from households, wastewater, and industry.
