Water Pollution: A Plastic Problem And Its History

Plastic pollution has become an increasingly pressing issue since the invention of fully synthetic plastic in 1907. Plastics are now widespread in society due to their excessive production and use, with plastic production growing from 1.5 million metric tons in 1950 to an estimated 359 million metric tons in 2018. Plastic waste generation more than tripled between the 1970s and 1990s, and in the early 2000s, the amount of plastic waste generated rose more in a single decade than it had in the previous 40 years. Today, plastic pollution is a global problem, with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems each year, and plastic items have been found in every ocean, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench.

Plastic pollution is a global problem

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that has attracted increasing attention. It poses a significant threat to wildlife, their habitats, and human populations. The invention of Bakelite in 1907 introduced the first truly synthetic plastic resins into world commerce, and since then, plastics have become pervasive in our daily lives. The production and development of plastic products accelerated after World War II, and they are now used in a wide range of industries, from transportation to medicine.

The problem of plastic pollution is not isolated but intersects with other environmental, social, economic, and health concerns. It is estimated that 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, contaminating lakes, rivers, and seas. This pollution disrupts habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and impacting millions of people's livelihoods, food production, and social well-being.

The sources of plastic pollution are diverse, with population centres generating the most litter. However, studies have shown that no particular country or demographic group is solely responsible. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issue, with plastics becoming one of the most widely manufactured materials globally, alongside cement and steel.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate environment. Once in the ocean, plastic waste is challenging, if not impossible, to retrieve. Sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastics into microplastics, which spread throughout the water column and have been found in various environments, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. These microplastics can further break down into smaller pieces, known as nanoplastics, which have been detected in municipal drinking water systems and even in human blood, lungs, and faeces.

Addressing plastic pollution requires a unified and consistent approach. While recycling and the circular economy are crucial, they are not enough to tackle the problem effectively. Improved waste management systems, better product design, and a reduction in the manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics are essential to preventing plastic waste from entering our waterways in the first place.

Plastic production and use has increased

Plastic production and use have increased exponentially since the invention of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907. This material revolutionised the world, becoming integral to industries from transportation to medicine. By the end of the 20th century, however, it was clear that plastic was a persistent pollutant, with plastic waste found everywhere from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench.

The production of plastic has grown dramatically since 1950, when worldwide plastic production was around 1.5 million metric tons per year. By 2010, this figure had skyrocketed to an estimated 275 million metric tons, and by 2018, it had reached 359 million metric tons. This massive increase in plastic production has resulted in a corresponding surge in plastic waste, with single-use plastics being a significant contributor.

Half of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes, and about 50% of this is improperly disposed of, ending up in the environment instead of landfills, recycling centres, or incinerators. This has led to plastic pollution becoming a global crisis, with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems each year. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the problem, with plastics entering the top three most widely manufactured materials globally.

The impact of plastic pollution is far-reaching, altering habitats and natural processes and affecting the livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being of millions of people. Plastic waste in oceans breaks down into microplastics, which are spread throughout the water column and have been found in marine life, drinking water, and even human blood, lungs, and faeces. The health risks of microplastics are a pressing concern for scientists.

While legislative attempts, such as the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, and industry initiatives, like the plastic resin identification code, have been made to address plastic pollution, our reliance on plastic remains strong. Recycling is seen as a key solution, but it has limitations due to the low recovery rate of plastics compared to other materials, and the processing difficulties of recycled plastics.

Plastic is non-biodegradable and persists in the environment

Plastic pollution has been a problem for decades, with the ocean used as a dumping ground for plastic, sewage, industrial and chemical waste. Plastic is a polymeric material, often made from petroleum-based raw materials, designed to defeat natural decay processes. As a result, plastic is largely non-biodegradable and persistent in the environment.

Plastic does not simply "go away" when it is thrown away. Instead, it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics. These microplastics have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and in municipal drinking water systems. They are also present in the human body, with scientists urgently trying to determine the impact on human health.

The persistence of plastic in the environment is due to its non-biodegradable nature. Biodegradation is the process by which a material is broken down into substances found in nature by microorganisms. While biodegradable plastics are being developed, they are not a silver bullet solution to the plastic problem. They are not always properly composted, and even when they are, they may not break down in the natural world as intended.

Furthermore, the low recovery and recycling rates of plastic contribute to its persistence in the environment. Recycling rates vary across countries, with only Northern European countries achieving rates above 50%. The recycling process itself is also challenging due to the low melting point of plastics, which prevents the removal of contaminants during reprocessing.

The solution to plastic pollution lies in a combination of improved waste management systems, better product design, reduced manufacturing of single-use plastics, and the responsible collection and disposal of all plastic types, including biodegradable ones.

Plastic waste generation tripled between the 1970s and 1990s

Plastic pollution has been a problem for decades, with the ocean used as a dumping ground for plastic, sewage, industrial and chemical waste. Plastic pollution has been recognised as an issue since the 1960s, but plastic waste generation tripled between the 1970s and 1990s.

The realisation of the longevity of plastic came in the 1970s, when it became clear that plastic does not simply 'go away' or break down. Instead, it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics. These microplastics have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and are spread throughout the water column. They are even present in municipal drinking water systems and have been detected in human blood, lungs, and faeces. The health implications of microplastics are not yet fully understood, but scientists are urgently trying to answer this question.

The period between the 1970s and 1990s saw a significant rise in plastic production, which resulted in increased pollution. This was also when it was discovered that seabirds were ingesting plastic materials and seals were becoming trapped in plastic netting. The development of plastic resin identification codes in the 1980s by the Society of the Plastics Industry was an attempt to make recycling and disposing of plastics easier. However, our reliance on plastic had already taken a strong hold, and the amount of plastic waste generated continued to rise.

The persistence of plastic in the environment is due to the fact that it is largely non-biodegradable, with some estimates suggesting plastic products can take at least 400 years to break down. The low recovery rate of plastics compared to other materials commonly used in the first half of the 20th century, such as glass, paper, iron, and aluminium, further contributes to the problem. Additionally, the recycling of plastics is challenging due to their low melting point, which prevents the removal of contaminants during the reprocessing stage. While recycling can help, it does not fully address plastic pollution, as recycled plastic is "properly" disposed of, while plastic pollution arises from improper disposal.

Plastic pollution is hazardous to humans and wildlife

Plastic pollution has been a problem since the 1960s when scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered that more than 100 million tonnes of waste had been dumped in the ocean. While this report did not include plastic pollution, which had only recently become a mainstream material, plastic waste generation more than tripled between the 1970s and 1990s.

Hazards to Wildlife

Plastic pollution is harmful to all wildlife and has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. The rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products has overwhelmed the world's ability to deal with them, especially in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent.

Marine species are at higher risk of ingesting plastic, suffocating, or becoming entangled in plastic pollution. More than 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments are known to ingest plastics, often mistaking them for food. This has resulted in intestinal blockages and damage, causing the unnecessary deaths of many land-based mammals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle.

Microplastics are also a major concern for terrestrial animals, as they leech into soil and nearby water sources from plastic waste in landfills and other environments. 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, leading to less fertile soil and land. Chlorinated plastic can also release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, seeping into groundwater that many species rely on, and contaminating the food that wildlife consumes.

Hazards to Humans

Plastic pollution also poses a threat to human health, with microplastics found in human livers, kidneys, placentas, blood, lungs, and even feces. The potential health impacts of microplastics are still being studied, but carcinogenic chemicals found in plastic products can leach into tap water, potentially causing developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.

Everyday plastics also leach hazardous chemicals, and studies have found endocrine-disrupting and metabolism-disrupting chemicals in plastic food packaging from five countries. These chemicals can also contaminate recycled plastics, making them unsafe for reuse.

With plastic production projected to double by 2040, it is essential to address plastic pollution to protect human health and the environment.

Frequently asked questions