Greta Jimenez
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste affecting many areas of the natural environment, especially oceans and the biodiversity of their ecosystems. There are three major forms of plastic that contribute to plastic pollution: micro-, macro-, and mega-plastics. These plastics are often found in packaging, footwear, and other domestic items. Once in the ocean, plastic breaks down into smaller particles, spreading throughout the water column and entering the food chain. The presence of plastic in the environment hurts ecosystems and human health, with plastic pollution affecting all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Forms of plastic pollution | Micro-, macro-, and mega-plastics |
| Plastic concentration on land | Between four and twenty-three times that of the ocean |
| Mismanaged plastic waste in East Asia and the Pacific | 60% |
| Mismanaged plastic waste in North America | 1% |
| Amount of mismanaged plastic transported to the ocean each year | 1-1.7 million tons |
| Percentage of plastics produced that are single-use | 50% |
| Percentage of plastic products that are recycled | 9% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that has been incinerated | 12% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that has accumulated in landfills, dumps, or the natural environment | 79% |
| Common single-use plastics | Food and beverage packaging |
| Common plastic waste items | Cigarette butts, drink bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, drink lids, straws, and stirrers |
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What You'll Learn
Micro-, macro- and mega-plastics
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, due to the overwhelming rise in the production of disposable plastic products. Plastic is not biodegradable. Instead of breaking down completely, it forms smaller pieces called microplastics, which can last on Earth for centuries.
Microplastics
Microplastics are plastic objects smaller than 5 millimetres in size. They can consist of plastic fragments, flakes, fibres, or pre-production pellets (also known as nurdles). Primary microplastics are plastic pieces produced in that size, such as cosmetic microbeads. Secondary microplastics come from the degradation of larger objects, such as plastic litter, and are found in the form of fragments, fibres, or paint flakes. Microplastics can enter the environment through direct human activity, or as a result of the long-term impact of weather conditions, solar radiation, and natural processes. They can now be found extensively in soil, entering by settling on the surface and making their way into subsoils. They are also present in municipal drinking water systems and are circulated through ventilation and air conditioning systems indoors.
Macroplastics
Macroplastics are typically categorized as anything larger than 5 millimetres. They are common plastic waste items and their fragments, such as packaging, footwear, and other domestic items. They can lead to entanglement and, as they degrade over time, they can generate large numbers of microplastics.
Megaplastics
Megaplastics are plastic objects larger than 50 centimetres. They include items such as fishing-related products and packaging.
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Plastic waste in the ocean
Plastic is not biodegradable, and instead of breaking down, it forms smaller pieces called microplastics, which can last for centuries. These microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, including in drinking water systems and the air we breathe. Once in the ocean, it is challenging, if not impossible, to retrieve plastic waste. Mechanical systems can be effective at collecting large pieces of plastic from inland waters, but once plastics break down into microplastics, they are virtually impossible to recover.
The sources of plastic waste in the ocean are diverse, with thousands of rivers worldwide contributing to plastic emissions into the oceans. The improper disposal of plastic waste is a significant issue, with plastic waste being dumped or ending up in waterways. Developing nations in Asia and Africa often lack efficient garbage collection systems, contributing to plastic waste entering the ocean. Even in developed countries with low recycling rates, there are challenges in properly collecting discarded plastics.
The impact of plastic waste in the ocean is far-reaching and devastating. Marine mammals, such as whales, seabirds, and seals, ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injury and mortality. Endangered species, such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, are among the nearly 700 species affected by plastic litter. Plastic pollution also affects marine ecosystems, with microplastics absorbing harmful pollutants and later releasing them into the ocean.
To address the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, a combination of improved waste management systems, recycling, better product design, and a reduction in single-use plastic manufacturing is necessary. Consumers can play a role by reducing their plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting green policies. Global efforts, such as the UNEA-5.2 resolution, aim to address plastic pollution through legally binding instruments, but urgent action is needed to tackle the growing crisis of plastic waste in our oceans.
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Plastic waste on land
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste on land posing a significant threat to plants, animals, and humans. The improper disposal of plastic waste, including single-use plastics and packaging materials, leads to plastic pollution on land. This occurs when plastic waste is not deposited in designated containers for landfills, recycling centres, or incineration. As a result, plastic waste ends up in landfills, where it can take up to 1,000 years to degrade, releasing potentially toxic substances into the soil and water.
The presence of plastic in the soil can have detrimental effects on terrestrial ecosystems. Microplastics, which are small particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics, are a significant contributor to plastic pollution on land. These microplastics can be found in soil, water, and even the air we breathe. They enter the soil by settling on the surface and making their way into subsoils, where they can be absorbed by plants and ingested by animals. Studies have found that microplastics can increase the absorption of toxins in plants, potentially leading to elevated levels of toxins in our food.
Another source of plastic waste on land is the use of plastics in agriculture, also known as "plasticulture." Agricultural practices such as mulching and greenhouse farming contribute to plastic film-related contaminants in the soil, both at the macro and micro levels. The plastic types used for mulching, such as LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE, do not degrade rapidly in the soil, leading to a build-up of harmful plastic residues. Additionally, the application of sewage sludge, compost manure, wastewater, and contaminated irrigation water to farmlands introduces microplastics into the soil, which can then enter the food chain.
The impact of plastic waste on land extends beyond the environmental consequences. It also poses risks to human health. Inhalation of microplastics is a major contributor to MP uptake in humans, as they circulate indoors through ventilation and air conditioning systems. Certain chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), are considered priority pollutants and have been linked to endocrine system disruption and damage to thyroid hormones, which play a vital role in human metabolism, growth, and development.
Addressing plastic waste on land requires a multifaceted approach. It involves improving waste management systems, promoting recycling and proper disposal of plastics, and reducing the manufacturing and use of single-use plastics. Additionally, there is a need for further research to fully understand the impacts of microplastic pollution on land and to develop effective policies and strategies to mitigate plastic pollution on a global scale.
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Plastic manufacturing and chemicals
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the overwhelming rise in the production of disposable plastic products. Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds and needs to be processed before it can be used. The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery, which separates the heavy crude oil into lighter components called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains, which are chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen.
Carbon and hydrogen form the backbone of most everyday polymers. Carbon plays a major role in the transformation of compounds into plastics, bonding with other elements to form different types of plastics. For instance, carbon bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, or chlorine to form unique structures. Some plastics require very few groups of atoms, also known as monomers. For example, polyethylene, a popular plastic, is made up of a repeating unit of three atoms: one part carbon and two parts hydrogen. Other plastics may involve up to 38 atoms. The chemical composition of plastic influences its physical properties, such as rigidity, flexibility, or heat resistance.
Other chemicals are also used in plastic manufacturing, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), which are under close statute and may be harmful. These compounds have been used in manufacturing food packaging, medical devices, flooring materials, bottles, perfumes, and cosmetics. Inhalation of microplastics (MPs) has been shown to be a major contributor to MP uptake in humans, with MPs in the form of dust particles constantly circulated through indoor ventilation and air conditioning systems. Large doses of these compounds are hazardous to humans, destroying the endocrine system.
Nitrogen is another vital chemical used in plastic fabrication. This dry, inert, colorless gas prevents unwanted reactions during molding processes. By displacing oxygen inside molds, nitrogen prevents discoloration, which is crucial for clear plastics like polycarbonate. Nitrogen acts as a protective barrier, shielding the plastic from the air's unpredictable effects. It helps maintain consistency in the chemical composition of plastics and ensures that final products meet strict quality and aesthetic standards.
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Plastic pollution solutions
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste piling up across the globe. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. However, the developed world, especially countries with low recycling rates, also struggles to properly collect discarded plastics. Plastic pollution has been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. It takes hundreds of years for plastic to fully degrade, and during this time, it leaches toxic chemicals, threatening ecosystems and human health.
The best way to reduce plastic pollution, according to scientists and conservationists, is to prevent plastics from entering waterways in the first place. This can be achieved through improved waste management systems, better product design, and a reduction in the manufacturing and use of single-use plastics. Recycling is often touted as a solution, but it does not address the issue of plastic pollution, which arises from improper disposal. Recycling rates vary dramatically from country to country, and only northern European countries obtain rates greater than 50%. Additionally, many lightweight single-use plastic products are not deposited in containers for subsequent removal to landfills, recycling centres, or incinerators, but are improperly disposed of at or near the location where they are used.
On an individual level, consumers can cut back on single-use plastics by making small changes like carrying a reusable water bottle or straw. Individuals can also ensure effective recycling by cleaning contaminated plastic and making sure waste is truly recyclable. Voting for green policies can also bring about systematic change.
To achieve a world with less plastic pollution, solutions must be systemic and address all stages of plastic's existence, from production to use and disposal. This includes the enactment and enforcement of strong policies and regenerative strategies that focus on plastic pollution prevention, significant improvements in business practices, and a shift in societal values and culture.
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Frequently asked questions
The three major forms of plastic that contribute to plastic pollution are micro-, macro-, and mega-plastics.
Microplastics are small particles of plastic that are often less than one-fifth of an inch across. They are formed when larger pieces of plastic break down and can be found in the ocean, soil, tap water, and even the air. Microplastics have been found in humans and can be harmful to human health.
Macro-plastics are pieces of plastic larger than 0.5 mm, and mega-plastics are even larger. These can include packaging, footwear, and other domestic items that have been improperly disposed of. They can also be found in the ocean, where they pollute marine ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity loss.
