Bronte Wells
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean each year. The history of plastic pollution can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when the world witnessed an unprecedented increase in industrial output and a corresponding rise in ocean pollution. While the ocean was long used as a dumping ground for various types of waste, the realization of the persistence and environmental impact of plastic pollution emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, shifting the focus from oil spills to plastic waste. Today, plastic pollution is recognized as a global crisis, with microplastics and single-use plastics posing severe threats to marine life, human health, and the planet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First scientific findings of marine plastic debris | 1972 |
| First long-term data set on plastic debris | 1986 |
| Global annual production of plastic | 359-422 million tons |
| Portion of plastic produced for single-use purposes | 50% |
| Number of plastic bags used worldwide each year | 5 trillion |
| Amount of plastic waste in the ocean | 75-199 million tons |
| Amount of plastic entering the ocean each year | 33 billion pounds |
| Number of pieces of plastic in the ocean | 50-75 trillion |
| Plastic's rise to prominence | 120 years |
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What You'll Learn
The rise of plastic pollution in the 1960s
The production and use of plastics have a long and complex history, with the material's cheap durability making it both a miracle and a curse. Plastic pollution, an issue that has plagued the environment for decades, began to rise significantly in the 1960s. This decade marked a turning point in the plastic industry and our understanding of its environmental impact.
The 1960s was a period of economic growth and changing consumer habits worldwide. Plastic production and consumption increased rapidly during this time. Cheap and versatile, plastic was used for a wide range of products, from packaging to children's toys. The development of new plastic resins and the rise of the petrochemical industry, which provided a steady supply of feedstocks, further fueled this plastic boom. Plastic products became ubiquitous and were widely marketed as modern and convenient.
However, the dark side of this plastic revolution began to emerge. As plastic production soared, so too did plastic waste. Landfills began to fill up, and the issue of plastic waste disposal came into sharp focus. Incineration was common, but this method of disposal released toxic gases and contributed to air pollution. The 1960s also saw the first scientific discoveries of the impact of plastic on the environment. Marine life, in particular, was suffering. Scientists began to find plastic debris in the oceans, and the harmful effects on marine ecosystems became evident. Plastic was durable and persistent, and it was not easily broken down or degraded. This led to the recognition of plastic as a new form of persistent pollution.
During this decade, some of the first legislative responses to plastic pollution emerged. Sweden, for example, introduced a deposit-refund system for plastic bottles in 1964, one of the earliest examples of plastic waste regulation. Other countries began to recognize the need for better waste management systems and the reduction of plastic waste. However, the response was often piecemeal and lacked the urgency and coordination needed to tackle the growing problem effectively.
This period was a critical turning point, where the benefits of plastic were touted and its dangers began to emerge. The rise of plastic pollution in the 1960s was a pivotal moment in the story of human impact on the environment, and it continues to shape our world today.
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Marine life and plastic waste
Plastic pollution has become a serious concern for marine life, with plastic debris adversely affecting marine biodiversity, ecological aspects, and economic activities. The history of plastic pollution research began in the central gyres of ocean basins, with the first scientific findings of marine plastic debris published in 1972. Since then, plastic pollution has been recognised as a global crisis, with plastic debris found in all ocean basins, ecosystems, habitats, and food webs. Marine mammals, in particular, are highly vulnerable to plastic entanglement and ingestion, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals dying each year due to plastic pollution.
One of the significant threats to marine life is plastic entanglement. Large items of plastic, such as discarded fishing nets, ropes, and pots, can trap and entangle marine mammals, fish, and even smaller creatures like crabs. This entanglement leads to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. For example, ghost fishing gear, made from plastic, has been responsible for the deaths of 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises annually. Endangered species, such as the Steller sea lion and Hawaiian monk seals, have also suffered injuries and mortality due to entanglement in plastic packing bands and debris in their habitats.
Ingestion of plastic is another critical issue for marine life. Marine species often mistake small plastic fragments for food. Seabirds, sea turtles, and even large marine mammals like whales have been found with bellies full of plastic bags, choking hazards, or intestinal injuries. Sea turtles, in particular, face starvation as plastic bags can make them feel full, leading to the tragic statistic that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic. Additionally, plastic ingestion has been found to reduce the storage volume of the stomach, causing further starvation in affected creatures.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life extends beyond entanglement and ingestion. Plastic debris can smother and break coral reefs, hindering their healthy growth. Furthermore, the accumulation of plastic waste in ocean basins persists due to the unique characteristics of plastics, such as their long shelf life and ease of transportation by water currents and wind. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces, are also ingested by various marine organisms, leading to negative health consequences.
To address the problem of plastic pollution in marine environments, organisations like Fauna & Flora advocate for a shift in how we view and use plastic. This includes minimising plastic leakage into the natural environment, reducing toxicity, and promoting reuse, repurposing, and effective recycling. International, regional, and national efforts are required to improve plastic waste management and reduce the load of plastic garbage patches in ocean basins.
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Plastic's impact on human health
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to human health. The toxic nature of the chemical additives used during the production process, as well as the pollutants found in plastics, have negative consequences at every stage of plastic's lifecycle. From extraction to disposal, plastics impact human health and the environment.
The health impacts of plastic pollution are felt through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. An average person may ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic every week. The toxic chemical additives in plastics can alter hormone activity, impacting reproduction, growth, and cognitive function. Studies have also shown that microplastics can damage and kill human cells, leading to serious health effects, including cancers, lung disease, and birth defects. The impact of plastic pollution on fetal and infant health is particularly concerning, with potential links to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.
The production and refining of plastic release toxic substances into the air and water, affecting both industry workers and neighbouring communities. Over 170 fracking chemicals used in plastic production have known human health impacts, including cancer, neurological issues, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and impairment of the immune system.
Plastic pollution in the environment, in the form of macro- or microplastics, contaminates food chains and water supplies. Microplastics, ranging in size from 5mm to 1 nanometer, are found in every ecosystem on the planet. As plastic particles degrade, they continue to leach toxic additives, leading to human exposure through ingestion or inhalation.
While the long-term effects of plastic pollution on human health are still being studied, the existing research highlights the urgent need to address this global crisis. Reducing the threats posed by plastic pollution will require stopping and reversing the growth in plastic production, use, and disposal worldwide.
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Global efforts to reduce plastic pollution
Country-Level Bans and Restrictions
Many countries have implemented bans or restrictions on single-use plastic products, such as plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and plastic bottles. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to ban plastic bags in 2002, and since then, over 77 other countries have followed suit, with 32 countries imposing taxes or other restrictions on their production and sale. More recently, India, the second most populous country, passed a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic products in 2022, recognizing the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on its streets and environment. Guatemala also banned single-use plastics in 2019, giving the public a two-year deadline to transition to alternatives.
Global Commitments and Treaties
The Global Commitment, led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme, has gained the support of over 1,000 organizations since 2018. This commitment has significantly reduced the use of problematic plastic items and promoted the increased use of recycled content among its business signatories.
In March 2022, a significant milestone was achieved when 175 nations voted to adopt a global treaty for plastic pollution at the UN Environmental Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. This treaty aims to implement a common standard for plastic consumption across all countries and accelerate the timeline for a future free from plastic pollution, with an initial target of 2025.
Regional Initiatives
The European Union (EU) created the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015, which later evolved into the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. This strategy aims to strengthen recycling regulations and adopt a more science-based approach to legislation, promoting a "'circular'" method of reusing products.
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is another example of a regional effort, aiming to ensure that businesses, governments, and stakeholders in the tourism industry take responsibility for reducing plastic pollution. The initiative sets a goal of establishing concrete agreements and terms by 2025 to minimize the environmental impact of tourism-related plastic waste.
While progress has been made, reports suggest that tougher measures and more ambitious policies are needed to effectively curb the plastic pollution crisis. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that without more binding policies and increased business action, 20 trillion flexible packaging items will end up in the ocean by 2040.
To address this, the Foundation and other organizations advocate for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, which is currently under negotiation. This instrument aims to establish rules, measures, and incentives to end plastic pollution, with governments, businesses, and stakeholders urged to unite in this effort.
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The future of plastic
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental challenge that demands sustainable solutions and a shift in global agreements. Despite public sentiment acknowledging the harmful effects of plastic on the environment, it remains challenging for the global economy to cease producing new plastic products. The plastic production rate is projected to increase, exacerbating the plastic pollution issue.
To address this, various strategies have been proposed, including the development of alternative materials, biodegradable plastics, and improved recycling methods. The concept of a circular economy, where plastics are reused and recycled instead of becoming waste, is gaining traction. This approach aims to minimise plastic waste and maximise the lifespan of plastic products.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, has presented three strategies to enhance the reuse and recycling of plastic packaging. Additionally, major corporations such as Coca-Cola, Walmart, Starbucks, McDonald's, Danone, Nestlé, and Pernod Ricard have pledged to reduce single-use plastics in their products.
The hotel industry is also taking steps to reduce its reliance on single-use plastics. For example, Marriott International expects to reduce its plastic usage by 30% by replacing small plastic bottles with dispensers, preventing 500 million bottles from becoming waste annually.
Furthermore, there is a growing concern about the potential health threats posed by plastic additives, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals can leach into food, water, and our bodies, disrupting the endocrine system, particularly in children.
While a future free from plastic seems unlikely, the transition to biodegradable polymers and a circular economy offers a promising path forward. This transition will require collaboration between industries, academia, and various scientific disciplines.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution refers to waste, specifically plastic, that ends up in the ocean, causing adverse effects.
Plastic commercialization began during World War II and grew worldwide within less than a century. The ocean has been used as a dumping ground for plastic, sewage, industrial and chemical waste. In the 1960s, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered that more than 100 million tons of waste had been dumped in the ocean.
Plastic pollution became a concern in the 1970s and 1980s as anxiety about waste increased. It was realized that plastic doesn't break down; instead, it breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastics.
Plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life, with animals mistaking plastic for food and ingesting it, leading to suffocation, starvation, and other health problems. Plastic pollution also affects human health, causing cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, birth defects, and cancer, among other issues.
