Bronte Wells
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing global issue. It is estimated that there are 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, with around 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans and a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year. This plastic pollution has a detrimental impact on marine ecosystems, with marine wildlife suffering the most direct and damaging effects. The crisis is driven by the rapid increase in single-use plastics, with only 9% of plastic ever produced being recycled.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production and pollution
The exponential growth in plastic production has been driven by the convenience and versatility of plastic products. Plastics have found applications in medicine, space travel, automotive industries, and the provision of clean drinking water. However, the dark side of this convenience is the throw-away culture it has fostered. Single-use plastics, designed for short lifespans, account for about 40-50% of all plastics produced annually. These products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, are used for mere minutes to hours but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. As a result, the world is now grappling with the challenge of managing enormous quantities of plastic waste.
The impact of plastic pollution is felt most acutely in the oceans. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste are currently in the oceans, with an additional 33 billion pounds entering marine environments each year. This plastic waste permeates every inch of the ocean, from microplastics in the food chain to plastic bottles floating on the surface. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is a stark example of the magnitude of ocean plastic pollution. This garbage patch covers an area twice the size of Texas and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, with an estimated 100 million kilograms of plastic floating within it.
Rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution. Trash is carried from land into rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more waste as they flow downstream. Once plastic waste reaches coastal waters, it can be caught up in ocean currents and spread globally. Plastic accumulates in subtropical oceanic areas called gyres, massive circular currents that trap floating plastic for decades or even centuries. Marine wildlife suffers the most direct and damaging effects of this plastic pollution. Sea turtles, for example, can mistake plastic for food, leading to choking, internal injuries, or starvation. Additionally, microplastics, which are smaller plastic fragments, can be ingested by marine organisms and lead to punctured organs or intestinal blockages.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Scientists and conservationists emphasize the importance of preventing plastics from entering waterways through improved waste management systems, increased recycling, better product design, and a reduction in single-use plastic manufacturing. While some countries have implemented bans on specific single-use plastic items, the problem persists due to the continued production and consumption of disposable plastic products. As plastic production shows no signs of slowing, with the fossil fuel industry planning to increase output, the crisis of plastic pollution demands urgent and decisive action on a global scale.
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Plastic waste management
The first step in plastic waste management is reducing plastic waste generation. This can be achieved by promoting reusable alternatives, reducing single-use plastic consumption, and implementing regulations to curb plastic pollution. For instance, several states in Australia have banned single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery, stirrers, and lightweight plastic bags. Additionally, corporations pledged to achieve 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging by 2025, although this target is likely to be missed.
Once plastic waste is generated, proper collection and disposal systems are essential to prevent plastic pollution from contaminating the air, soil, and water ecosystems. According to the UNEP Global Waste Management Outlook, 3 billion people lack access to controlled disposal services for solid waste, and 2 billion people lack regular waste collection services. This results in a substantial amount of plastic waste being littered or inadequately disposed of.
To address this issue, waste management infrastructures need to be improved, especially in middle-income countries where plastic usage is growing, and effective waste management systems are lacking. Additionally, the Basel Convention provides guidance for better management of plastic waste on a global scale.
Finally, recycling and reusing plastic materials are crucial components of plastic waste management. Currently, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, while almost 50% is landfilled, 19% incinerated, and 22% is discarded in uncontrolled sites or the environment. By improving recycling technologies and promoting the use of recycled plastics, we can reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and move towards a more sustainable future.
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Microplastics and macroplastics
Plastic waste in the ocean has become a global crisis. There are an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste in our oceans, with billions of pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year. This plastic waste is not limited to ocean surfaces but also extends to the sea floor and even the Arctic ice sheets.
Macroplastics are typically defined as plastic objects larger than 5 millimeters. However, some organisations differentiate between macroplastics (5-50mm) and megaplastics (>50mm) to reflect the wide variation in plastic pollution sizes. Macroplastics can have direct impacts on marine life through ingestion or entanglement. As they degrade over time, macroplastics can generate microplastics, contributing to the overall plastic pollution in the ocean.
The accumulation of plastic pollution in the ocean has severe consequences for marine ecosystems. Marine wildlife, including whales, sea turtles, seabirds, and seals, are directly affected by plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement. Plastic pollution also provides a pathway for the introduction of invasive species and pollutants into marine food webs.
Efforts to address plastic pollution include improving waste management systems, particularly in middle-income countries, and reducing single-use plastic products. Organisations like The Ocean Cleanup work to remove plastic objects from the ocean before they break down into smaller microplastics. Despite these efforts, plastic production is projected to increase, highlighting the urgent need for further action to address this global crisis.
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Impact on marine life
Plastic pollution in the ocean has had a devastating impact on marine life, affecting at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, fish, marine mammals, and even coral. The problem is twofold: larger pieces of plastic can entangle marine animals, while smaller microplastics are ingested.
Sea turtles, for example, often mistake floating plastic garbage for food, which can lead to choking, internal injury, and death. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and plastic pollution on beaches is affecting their reproduction rates. Similarly, hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic every year, mistaking it for food, leading to starvation as plastic reduces the storage volume of their stomachs. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and this number is predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
Marine mammals, such as whales, are also at risk. A California grey whale washed up dead on the shores of Puget Sound in 2010, with over 20 plastic bags, a golf ball, and other plastic rubbish in its stomach. Whales have also been spotted in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, indicating that they are exposed to and affected by high quantities of plastic pollution.
Fish are not immune either. Hundreds of fish species, including many that humans consume, have been found with traces of microplastics in their bodies. A 2008 study in the Pacific Gyre found that 35% of the 672 fish caught during the voyage had ingested plastic pieces.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is not limited to the direct ingestion or entanglement of plastic debris. Plastic can absorb and transport pollutants through ocean currents, and these toxins can then be transferred to marine life that ingests them, potentially impacting the human food chain as well. Furthermore, plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean, and a recent study found that corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to a 4% likelihood for corals that do not.
Microplastics, due to their small size, are particularly difficult to clean up and can impact more species than larger pieces of plastic. They can accumulate toxic chemicals, and these toxins can build up in the fatty tissues of animals that ingest them, leading to biomagnification as one goes up the food chain.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is widespread and devastating, and it is crucial that we address this issue to protect the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the diverse range of species that call the ocean home.
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Solutions to plastic pollution
Plastic pollution in the oceans has become a global crisis, with plastic waste expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Solutions to this crisis must consider all stages of plastic's existence, from production to use and disposal. Here are some ways to address plastic pollution:
Strong Policies and Strategies
Governments and organizations should enact and enforce robust policies and regenerative strategies that focus on preventing plastic pollution. This includes regulating plastics as a pollutant and addressing the root causes of the issue.
Improved Business Practices
Businesses should significantly improve their practices and avoid greenwashing, which is the practice of falsely advertising products or initiatives as environmentally friendly. Instead, they should embrace genuine solutions and avoid false ones, such as "chemical" or "advanced" recycling and bioplastics, which can delay and distract from real solutions.
Shift in Societal Values and Culture
There should be a collective shift in societal values and culture, encouraging individuals to embrace plastic-free principles in their daily lives and communities. This includes reducing the use of single-use plastics, such as grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, and straws, and replacing them with reusable alternatives.
Waste Management and Recycling Infrastructure
There is a need to improve waste management and recycling infrastructure, especially in middle-income countries where plastic usage is growing rapidly. This includes proper disposal and collection systems to prevent plastic from ending up in natural environments, such as oceans and rivers.
Addressing Microplastics
Microplastics, which are much more difficult to clean up, can be addressed by removing plastic objects from the ocean while they are still larger ("macroplastic") and preventing their breakdown into smaller pieces. Primary microplastics, such as cosmetic microbeads, should also be considered in production and usage.
Collaboration and Advocacy
Working together with organizations like the Plastic Pollution Coalition, which brings together artists, scientists, youth ambassadors, and other notable figures, can help create a broader network for change. Joining such initiatives and advocating for systemic change can amplify individual efforts and create a more significant impact.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. This amounts to 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year.
Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is made up of marine debris and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. However, about 80% of the plastic in this patch comes from fishing activities at sea. Lost fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, accounts for about 20% of all marine plastic.
Marine wildlife suffers the most direct and damaging effects of ocean plastic pollution. Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation. It can also cause internal injury and death. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic every year. Marine mammals also get tangled up in plastic.
Improving the management of plastic waste across the world is critical to tackling this problem. This includes ensuring that plastic waste is recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills. Additionally, targeting the causes of plastic pollution upstream and reducing the use of single-use plastics are important strategies to address this issue.
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