Plastic Pollution: Water Cycle's Unseen Enemy

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of all plastic produced annually and 80% of marine pollution. Improper disposal of plastic waste is a significant contributor to plastic entering the water cycle, with 8-10 million metric tons ending up in the ocean each year. Plastic waste enters waterways through littering, stormwater runoff, industrial activities, and agricultural practices. Once in the ocean, plastic breaks down into microplastics, which are spread by ocean currents worldwide, entering the food chain and impacting human health and ecosystems.

Plastic waste from littering

Plastic litter is a significant source of water pollution, and it can enter our water systems in numerous ways. One of the primary ways plastic waste enters water bodies is through improper disposal and littering. When plastic items are discarded irresponsibly on land, they can easily be transported by wind or washed away by rainwater into storm drains and nearby water bodies. This is especially true for lightweight plastic items such as bags, straws, and bottles, which can be easily carried over long distances by the wind. Once in the water, these plastics can float for thousands of miles, eventually ending up in oceans and other large water bodies.

Another way plastic litter enters the water cycle is through coastal littering. Many beaches and coastal areas suffer from litter left by visitors or washed up from the sea. This litter is often not properly disposed of and can be carried by waves and tides into the ocean. Additionally, litter left on beaches can be washed into nearby rivers or streams during rainstorms, eventually making its way back into the ocean.

Littering in urban areas is also a significant contributor to plastic water pollution. In cities and towns, plastic litter can accumulate in streets, parks, and other public spaces. Much of this litter eventually finds its way into storm drains, which are often directly connected to local waterways. During heavy rains or storms, the drainage systems can quickly fill with water, carrying the accumulated plastic litter directly into rivers, lakes, or the sea.

Furthermore, plastic waste from littering can enter the water cycle through improper waste management practices. In many places, landfills and dumps are often not properly secured, allowing plastic waste to escape and be carried away by wind or water runoff. Illegal dumping of plastic waste in remote areas or vacant lots is also a significant issue, as these sites are often not monitored or maintained, leading to plastic pollution leaching into the surrounding environment and eventually reaching water bodies.

To prevent plastic waste from littering from entering the water cycle, it is essential to promote responsible waste disposal practices and raise awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution. This includes proper disposal of plastic items, participation in community clean-up events, and advocating for improved waste management infrastructure. Individuals can also reduce their plastic consumption and opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible to minimize the amount of plastic waste generated.

Overall, plastic waste from littering is a significant contributor to plastic water pollution and has detrimental effects on the environment and wildlife. It is crucial that individuals, communities, and governments work together to address this issue through proper waste management, reduced plastic consumption, and increased awareness and education on the impacts of plastic littering.

Plastic manufacturing processes

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with plastic waste from land ending up in the oceans. Plastic manufacturing processes contribute to this issue, with plastic products having a short lifespan and persisting in the environment for extended periods.

There are various plastic manufacturing processes, each serving different needs in product development. One common process is blow molding, where a heated plastic tube is inflated inside a mold to create hollow plastic parts. This method is often used for plastic bottles, toys, and automotive parts. Extrusion molding is another process where plastic is heated and pushed through a chamber by a screw, then forced through a die to create the final shape. This process is commonly used for pipes, straws, hoses, and window frames. Injection molding is a high-volume manufacturing method where liquid plastic resin is injected into a forming die and cooled to solidify. This process accounts for a large percentage of common plastic items.

Other plastic manufacturing processes include rotational molding, where plastic powder is poured into a mold, heated, and rotated to achieve the desired thickness, and compression molding, where raw material is pre-heated, placed in a die, and heated further to cure the plastic. 3D printing is a slower process that offers design flexibility and improving cost-efficiency. CNC machining is ideal for low-volume applications with complex geometries, producing high-quality plastic components.

The plastic manufacturing process chosen depends on various factors, including the complexity of the design, functional and aesthetic requirements, cost, and production volume. These processes contribute to the plastic pollution issue, and improvements in waste management, product design, and recycling are needed to reduce plastic waste entering waterways.

Industrial fishing

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with plastic waste having a detrimental impact on the water cycle. While single-use plastics account for a large proportion of plastic pollution, industrial commercial fishing fleets also contribute significantly to plastic pollution in the oceans.

Abandoned and derelict fishing gear from industrial fishing operations makes up an estimated 10% of all ocean debris. This discarded fishing gear, which is no longer under the control of fishermen, continues to trap and kill marine life, including fish, crustaceans, mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. The issue of plastic pollution from industrial fishing is of particular concern to organisations like AFTCO, which has been working to address the problem.

The impact of industrial fishing on plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate presence of plastic waste in the oceans. The breakdown of plastics into microplastics, measuring less than 5mm in size, poses a significant threat. Environmental factors such as wind, waterflow, and sunlight contribute to the erosion of larger plastics into microplastics. These microplastics are then spread throughout the water column and have been found in various locations, including Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench.

The presence of microplastics in the water cycle has far-reaching consequences. They can enter the marine food chain, potentially impacting the health of both marine life and humans who consume seafood. The ingestion of microplastics by marine species has raised concerns among seafood industry stakeholders, who are willing to make changes to reduce their plastic use. However, there is limited information available on the specific impacts of plastic pollution on seafood species and the potential risks to human consumers.

To address plastic pollution from industrial fishing, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes improving waste management systems, promoting recycling, and reducing the manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. Additionally, better product design that considers the short life of disposable packaging can help prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas. Marine plastic education for fishers and ocean users is also recommended to raise awareness and encourage compliance with plastic reduction efforts.

Landfill and rubbish transportation

Landfills are a significant source of plastic pollution in the water cycle. When plastic waste is not properly managed, it becomes an environmental pollutant. This includes plastic waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in sealed landfills. Approximately half of all plastic waste still ends up in landfills, and an additional one-fifth is mismanaged. This mismanaged plastic waste is at risk of being leaked into nearby rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it can cause significant ecological damage.

The probability that mismanaged plastic waste will enter a body of water depends on various factors, such as the proximity to coastlines and river systems, terrain, and precipitation patterns. Once plastic waste enters these water systems, it can be transported over long distances by currents, spreading plastic pollution far and wide. For example, plastic items from Russia, the United States, Europe, South America, Japan, and China have been found on Henderson Island, an uninhabited atoll in the South Pacific, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of plastic pollution.

The impact of landfill plastic pollution on the water cycle is particularly acute in low-to-middle-income countries, where a higher proportion of plastic waste is mismanaged due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. Improving waste management strategies and investing in waste management infrastructure, especially in these regions, is crucial to mitigating plastic pollution in the water cycle. This includes implementing better recycling programs, designing more sustainable products, and reducing the production of unnecessary single-use plastics.

Additionally, the transportation of rubbish can also contribute to plastic pollution in the water cycle. When rubbish is transported, whether domestically or internationally, there is a risk of plastic waste escaping and entering natural water systems. This can occur through accidental spillage or improper disposal during transportation. To mitigate this, improved waste transportation practices and regulations are necessary to ensure that plastic waste is securely contained and does not become a source of water pollution.

Rivers and drains

Plastic pollution in rivers and other aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental risk, with plastic waste being directly linked to human activity. Plastic waste can enter rivers through natural transport processes or direct dumping.

One way plastic enters rivers is through wind and rain, which can carry plastic waste into streams and rivers and through drains. Plastic is lightweight and can be blown into rivers or washed into them through rainwater runoff. This is particularly true in urban areas, where plastic waste can accumulate in drains, leading to increased water levels and, in some cases, blockage of drainage systems.

The sources of plastic waste in and around freshwater systems can be attributed to population density, urbanization, wastewater treatment, and waste management practices. Improper waste disposal, such as littering and illegal dumping, contributes significantly to the problem. Plastic waste can also enter rivers through direct dumping, as seen in the case of smaller rivers emitting more plastic than larger ones due to inadequate waste management infrastructure.

In addition to littering and dumping, plastic pollution in rivers can also result from the improper disposal of everyday items. For example, products such as wet wipes, cotton buds, and sanitary products are often flushed down toilets and end up in waterways. Microfibres from washing machines are another source of plastic pollution in rivers, as they are too small to be filtered out by wastewater plants and eventually make their way into the water.

The presence of plastic in rivers has significant ecological, environmental, and economic impacts. It endangers aquatic species, negatively affects ecology, and can lead to economic losses. Efforts to understand and mitigate plastic pollution in rivers are ongoing, with organizations like The Ocean Cleanup conducting research and developing models to intercept river plastic and stop the leakage into the oceans.

Frequently asked questions