Meghan Hodges
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 contaminating our seas, it is essential to address this global crisis and take action to reduce plastic pollution. The impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife is devastating, with an estimated half of the world's sea turtles and a significant number of seabirds having ingested plastic. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, it enters the food chain, affecting human health as well. To combat this issue, individuals can refuse single-use plastics, adopt reusable alternatives, support legislation for reducing plastic production, and participate in beach cleanups. Additionally, recycling and promoting sustainable practices are crucial. While cleanup efforts are commendable, systemic change is necessary to address the root of the problem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Refuse single-use plastics | Straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, takeout containers |
| Use reusable products | Reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups, dry cleaning garment bags |
| Support legislation | Support or introduce legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for waste |
| Recycle | Only 9% of plastic is currently recycled worldwide |
| Participate in cleanups | Join local or international cleanups, such as The Ocean Cleanup, or organize your own |
| Avoid products with microplastics | Microplastics are found in face scrubs, toothpastes, body washes, and synthetic fibers like nylon, acrylic, polyester, and fleece |
| Reduce plastic use | Choose products with non-plastic packaging, buy in bulk, and select bigger containers instead of multiple smaller ones |
| Use biodegradable plastics | Adopt biodegradable plastics like PLA that break down naturally without pollution |
| Reduce water usage | Minimize water usage to prevent excess runoff and wastewater from flowing into the ocean |
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What You'll Learn
Refuse single-use plastics and buy reusable versions
Refusing single-use plastics is one of the most effective ways to combat plastic pollution in the ocean. Single-use plastics are goods made from fossil fuel-based chemicals and are designed to be disposed of after one use or a short period of use. They include items such as plastic bags, straws, bottles, utensils, takeaway containers, and beverage cups. These items are often used for just a few minutes but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that can be ingested by marine life.
To refuse single-use plastics, individuals can take several steps. Firstly, it is important to be mindful of the product-to-packaging ratio when shopping and to choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging. For example, opting for a glass jar of honey instead of a plastic bear container. Buying in bulk and storing items in reusable containers at home can also reduce plastic waste.
Secondly, individuals can carry their own reusable alternatives to single-use plastics. This includes reusable shopping bags, produce bags, bottles, coffee cups, utensils, and straws. Reusable items are designed to be durable and washed and used multiple times, reducing the need for single-use options.
Thirdly, individuals can support businesses that offer sustainable alternatives and avoid those that do not. When refusing single-use plastic items, it is helpful to let businesses know that you prefer environmentally friendly options. This encourages companies to adopt more sustainable practices and offer alternatives.
Finally, individuals can advocate for legislation that reduces plastic production and promotes sustainable practices. This includes supporting local, national, and international laws and policies that ban, tax, or limit single-use plastic items. By refusing single-use plastics and choosing reusable options, individuals can significantly contribute to reducing plastic pollution in the ocean and protecting marine life.
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Support legislation to reduce plastic production
While individual behaviour changes are important, they are not enough to stop ocean plastic pollution. To make a substantial impact, we need to support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate. Here are some ways to advocate for and support such legislation:
At the international level, hundreds of organizations and businesses have successfully collaborated with United Nations member states to establish a global plastics treaty, which has been signed by 175 member states. This treaty will set global standards and regulations to reduce plastic pollution. Supporting and advocating for the implementation of this treaty is a crucial step towards reducing plastic production.
Additionally, you can endorse petitions and campaigns led by environmental organizations, such as the Marine Conservation Society, which have successfully influenced political change. For example, their campaign for Sewage-Free Seas led to the UK Government including coastal waters and estuaries in the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan. By supporting similar campaigns, you can help drive legislative changes to combat ocean plastic pollution.
Another way to support legislation is by urging your local and national elected officials to introduce or support laws that discourage the use of single-use plastic bags and other disposable plastic items. Many cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, have already implemented such regulations, and your endorsement can help expand these efforts.
Furthermore, you can advocate for legislation that promotes recycling and sustainable practices. Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled globally, and recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean while reducing the demand for "new" plastic. Supporting policies that encourage recycling infrastructure, improve waste management, and incentivize the use of recycled materials can significantly contribute to reducing plastic production and pollution.
Finally, you can stay informed about legislative developments and participate in public consultations or town hall meetings to make your voice heard. By actively engaging with policymakers and expressing your support for legislation to reduce plastic production, you can contribute to systemic change and help address the plastic pollution crisis affecting our oceans.
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Participate in or organise a beach cleanup
Participating in or organising a beach cleanup is a direct and rewarding way to fight ocean plastic pollution. Beach cleanups help ensure that beaches are safe and healthy places to visit.
Identify a cleanup site
Choose a beach that needs attention, making sure it is safe and accessible for volunteers. Identify a site coordinator who can visit the site in advance to determine where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and which areas need to be cleaned.
Get permission
If required, obtain permission for your cleanup event from the relevant authorities, such as the local parks agency.
Line up event partners
Contact local businesses for donations of food, drinks, and supplies. Ask a local waste management company to donate their services for trash removal. Reach out to recyclers in your area to make arrangements for accepting any recyclables you collect, such as glass, plastic, and aluminium.
Plan for hazardous waste
Determine how you will dispose of any hazardous waste, such as medical or sewage waste. A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle, can be used to collect and safely dispose of hazardous waste.
Gather supplies
Ensure you have the necessary supplies, including trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitiser, wipes, and large coolers of water. Provide or ask volunteers to bring items such as reusable work gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Recruit volunteers
Spread the word and recruit volunteers to help with the beach cleanup. Ask friends, family, coworkers, and neighbours to join you. Create an event on social media and encourage volunteers to sign up online so you can estimate attendance and communicate event details.
Stay safe
Prepare for potential health emergencies by bringing a first aid kit and staying vigilant for minor injuries or heat stroke.
Track your trash
Use the NOAA Marine Debris Tracker App to submit your location and findings, contributing to global data collection on marine debris.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
In addition to beach cleanups, remember that individual behaviour changes can also help reduce ocean plastic pollution. Refuse single-use plastics, carry reusable alternatives, and support businesses that offer sustainable options. Recycle plastic items properly, and support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste.
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Avoid products with a high product-to-packaging ratio
One of the most effective ways to tackle plastic pollution in the ocean is to reduce plastic consumption. This can be achieved by avoiding products with a high product-to-packaging ratio.
When shopping, consider the product-to-packaging ratio and opt for larger containers instead of buying several smaller ones. For example, instead of buying single-serving yogurts, buy a larger container of yogurt and reuse your own smaller containers. Similarly, for items like nuts, rice, and pasta, consider buying in bulk and storing them in reusable containers at home.
Another way to reduce plastic waste is to choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging. For instance, instead of buying honey in a plastic bear-shaped container, opt for a glass jar of honey. This not only reduces plastic waste but also provides a reusable container.
By being mindful of the product-to-packaging ratio and choosing products with less plastic packaging, you can reduce your plastic consumption and contribute to the global effort to decrease plastic pollution in the ocean.
Additionally, it is important to recycle and properly dispose of plastic waste. Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled, with the rest contributing to the millions of tons of plastic polluting our oceans. So, while reducing plastic consumption is crucial, it is also essential to ensure that any plastic waste is recycled or disposed of responsibly to prevent it from ending up in our oceans.
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Choose non-plastic packaging where possible
Choosing non-plastic packaging is an effective way to combat ocean plastic pollution. Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing environmental issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste contaminating the seas. This waste comes from a variety of sources, including rivers, wind, and littering, and has detrimental effects on marine life, ecosystems, and human economic activities.
One way to address this issue is to opt for non-plastic packaging when possible. This means selecting products packaged in materials such as glass, metal, or paper instead of plastic. For example, choosing a glass jar of honey over a plastic bear-shaped container reduces the amount of plastic waste generated. Additionally, buying in bulk and storing items in reusable containers at home can further reduce plastic packaging waste.
Another aspect to consider is the product-to-packaging ratio. Sometimes, larger containers are more environmentally friendly than buying several smaller ones packaged in plastic. For example, purchasing a larger container of yogurt or a bigger bag of nuts reduces the amount of plastic packaging used over time. This simple switch can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated.
It is also important to be mindful of the types of plastics used in packaging. Some plastics, such as low-value or multi-layered plastics, are difficult to recycle and often end up as ocean pollution. By choosing products with recyclable or compostable packaging, individuals can reduce their plastic footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.
Finally, it is worth noting that individual actions alone are not enough to solve the ocean plastic pollution problem. While choosing non-plastic packaging is a step in the right direction, it is also crucial to advocate for systemic change. This includes supporting legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management systems, promotes recycling, and fosters sustainable practices. By combining individual efforts with collective action, we can make a significant impact in reducing ocean plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. You can refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and containers. Instead, carry with you reusable versions of those products, including reusable grocery bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups.
You can participate in or organize a cleanup of your local beach or waterway. You can also urge your elected officials to introduce or support legislation that would make plastic bag use less desirable.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has harmed about 800 species that have either ingested it or become entangled in it. Scientists estimate that more than half of the world's sea turtles and nearly every seabird on Earth have eaten plastic in their lifetimes.
Long-term solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean involve systemic change, such as reducing single-use plastics, promoting recycling, and fostering sustainable practices. For example, governments would need to significantly reduce plastic waste exports to countries with low collection and high leakage rates. Additionally, new technologies are being developed to perform a type of recycling called chemical plastic-to-plastic conversion, which creates new products from plastic that cannot be economically recycled by other means.
