The Plastic Crisis: Counting Our Toxic Legacy

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue. Every single piece of plastic ever made still exists, and the amount of plastic in the world is increasing. In 1950, the world produced two million tonnes of plastic, but now it produces over 450 million tonnes. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans every year, and the number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years. For every person on the planet, there are 21,000 pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. Despite some countries taking steps to reduce plastic bag waste, single-use plastic production is still on the rise.

The number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years

It is estimated that there are 21,000 pieces of plastic floating in the ocean for every person on the planet. This is an alarming figure, and it is only one of many that have emerged about the state of our oceans in recent years. Marine scientists have been warning us for decades that plastic waste jeopardises our oceans, aquatic life, and human health. Given that around 81% of all marine litter is plastic, it is unsurprising that this waste has a long-lasting impact.

Despite growing awareness about ocean waste, it simply isn’t going away. In fact, the number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years. This is due to the sharp increase in plastic production over the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just two million tonnes of plastic. Now, it produces over 450 million tonnes. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

The impact of plastic waste is devastating for marine life. In 2010, a green turtle died in Brazil after scientists discovered 3,267 plastic pieces in its intestines and 308 pieces in its stomach.

Improving the management of plastic waste across the world is critical to tackling this problem. This is especially important in poorer countries, where most of the ocean plastics come from.

Plastic waste jeopardizes our oceans, aquatic life, and human health

Plastic waste is a serious threat to our oceans, aquatic life, and human health. For every person on the planet, there are 21,000 pieces of plastic floating in the ocean, and this number is only increasing. Marine scientists have been warning us for decades that plastic waste jeopardises our oceans and the life within them.

Around 81% of all marine litter is plastic, and it is having a long-lasting impact on wildlife and ecosystems. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans every year, and the number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years.

The impact of plastic waste is not limited to the ocean and its inhabitants. Humans are also affected by this growing problem. A green turtle that died in Brazil in 2010 was found to have 3,267 pieces of plastic in its intestines and 308 pieces in its stomach. This is just one example of how plastic waste can have fatal consequences for marine life, and it is a stark reminder of the urgency of the situation.

Despite growing awareness about ocean waste and some countries taking steps to reduce plastic bag waste, single-use plastic production is still on the rise. It is critical that we improve the management of plastic waste across the world, especially in poorer countries, where most of the ocean plastics come from.

Single-use plastic production is still on the rise

Despite efforts to curb plastic bag usage, single-use plastic production is still on the rise. This is a global issue, with plastic waste jeopardising our oceans, aquatic life and human health.

In 2023, the *Washington Post* reported that there are 21,000 pieces of plastic floating in the ocean for every person on the planet. This figure is alarming, especially given that the number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years.

The issue of plastic waste is not confined to the ocean. Plastic production has sharply increased over the last 70 years, with the world now producing over 450 million tonnes of plastic annually. This is a significant increase from the two million tonnes produced in 1950. While plastic has added value to our lives as a cheap and versatile material, it becomes an environmental pollutant when it is not properly managed.

Mismanagement of plastic waste, such as failing to recycle or incinerate it, or not disposing of it in sealed landfills, contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution. This is particularly prevalent in poorer countries, which are the source of most ocean plastics. To address this issue, it is critical to improve the management of plastic waste on a global scale.

Plastic waste becomes an environmental pollutant when it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills

The world now produces over 450 million tonnes of plastic per year, a sharp increase from the two million tonnes produced in 1950. Plastic is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, when plastic waste is mismanaged, it becomes a significant environmental pollutant.

One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems. Marine scientists have warned for decades that plastic waste jeopardizes our oceans, aquatic life, and human health. Given that around 81% of all marine litter is plastic, it is not surprising that this waste has a long-lasting impact. The number of plastic particles in the sea is also increasing at an alarming rate, doubling every six years.

Despite growing awareness about ocean waste and efforts to curb plastic bag usage, such as bans on single-use plastic bags and charges for plastic bags in retailers, these efforts are not having a global impact. Reports suggest that single-use plastic production is still on the rise, and most of the ocean plastics come from poorer countries. Therefore, improving the management of plastic waste across the world is critical to tackling this problem.

The world produces over 450 million tonnes of plastic

Plastic is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, when plastic waste is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, it becomes an environmental pollutant. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems. Marine scientists have warned for decades that plastic waste jeopardizes our oceans, aquatic life, and human health. Given that around 81% of all marine litter is plastic, it is unsurprising that this waste has a long-lasting impact.

Despite growing awareness about ocean waste, it simply isn’t going away. Reports suggest that the number of plastic particles in the sea doubles every six years. Single-use plastic production is still on the rise, despite efforts to curb plastic bag usage in some countries. Several US states, such as California and New York, have introduced bans on single-use plastic bags. In the UK, retailers have to charge a minimum of 10p per plastic bag, leading to a 98% reduction in plastic bag usage. However, these efforts are not having a global impact.

Every single piece of plastic ever made still exists. For every person on the planet, there are 21,000 pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. This is just one of countless alarming figures that have emerged about the state of our oceans in recent years.

Frequently asked questions