Europe's Plastic Ocean: Dumping Ground For A Continent

Europe is responsible for 0.6% of ocean plastic, with the UK contributing 703,000 kg of plastic to the ocean per year. While this is a relatively small amount compared to the top five plastic waste dumpers, it is still important to reduce plastic use in Europe. A study estimated that 83,187 tonnes of exported European plastic ended up in the ocean in 2017, indicating a previously undocumented pathway of plastic debris entering the oceans.

The UK is the 10th biggest plastic waste dumper in the world

While the UK's plastic waste dumping may seem relatively small compared to other countries, it is important to note that this is just the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. The UK also contributes to plastic pollution through waste exports and illegal dumping within the country. In fact, the UK has been identified as one of the world's biggest sources of plastic waste per capita, second only to the US.

Europe as a whole contributes 0.6% of ocean plastic, with most plastic waste ending up in landfills rather than the ocean. However, this does not mean that Europe is not a significant contributor to the problem. A study found that 46% of separated PE waste is exported outside of the source country, and the fate of this exported plastic is often unknown. It is estimated that 83,187 tonnes of exported European PE ended up in the ocean in 2017, indicating a significant pathway of plastic debris entering the oceans.

The UK has been specifically identified as having a low share of exported PE being recycled, with only 59-80% recycled on average. This means that a significant portion of the UK's plastic waste is not being properly managed and could potentially end up as ocean debris.

Overall, while the UK may be the 10th biggest plastic waste dumper in terms of direct ocean dumping, its contribution to the global plastic pollution crisis is significant and multifaceted.

The Philippines is responsible for 36.4% of the world's ocean plastic

Europe makes up just 0.6% of the ocean plastic in the world. A 2017 study estimated that 83,187 tonnes of exported European plastic ended up in the ocean that year, indicating a previously undocumented pathway of plastic debris entering the oceans.

While the Philippines makes up approximately 1% of the world's population, it is responsible for 36.4% of the world's ocean plastic. This is likely due to poor waste management, with plastic ending up in rivers that flow into the ocean. It is also speculated that the Philippines is a popular place for other countries to dump their waste, due to corruption and the presence of the Philippine Trench, the third deepest point in the ocean.

Asia is the continent that contributes the most to ocean plastic

In comparison, North America and Europe make up just 4.5% and 0.6% of ocean plastic, respectively. While it is still important to reduce plastic use in these areas, the plastic is more likely to end up in landfills rather than the ocean. For example, a study estimated that 83,187 tonnes of exported European plastic, or 3% of exported European plastic in 2017, ended up in the ocean. This indicates a previously undocumented pathway of plastic debris entering the oceans.

Furthermore, there has been an uptick in plastic waste exports from the EU to Southeast Asia, as European companies rush to offload their waste ahead of a ban. This highlights how plastic pollution is a global problem that requires collective action and collaboration to address effectively.

Europe contributes 0.6% of ocean plastic

Europe contributes 0.6% of the world's ocean plastic. This is a relatively small amount compared to the 81% of ocean plastic that comes from Asia. However, it is important to note that this percentage still represents a significant amount of plastic waste.

A study in 2017 estimated that 83,187 tonnes of exported European polyethylene (PE) ended up in the ocean. PE is one of the most common types of plastic, and while an increasing share of post-consumer plastic waste from Europe is collected for recycling, 46% of separated PE waste is exported outside of the source country. This exported plastic often ends up in Southeast Asian countries, where it is recycled or becomes ocean debris.

The United Kingdom, a European country, is also one of the top 10 plastic waste dumpers in the world, contributing 703,000 kg of plastic to the ocean. However, it is important to note that this number may not fully represent the plastic waste contribution of the entire European continent.

While Europe's contribution to ocean plastic may be relatively small, it is still crucial for the region to reduce its plastic use and improve its waste management practices. By doing so, Europe can help reduce the overall amount of plastic entering the ocean and protect the marine environment.

European companies are offloading their plastic waste to Southeast Asia

Europe makes up 0.6% of ocean plastic. While this is a small percentage, it still amounts to millions of kg of plastic waste. European companies are offloading their plastic waste to Southeast Asia, particularly to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. This is due to the ban on plastic waste imports in China, which has led to a redirection of global waste streams. Southeast Asian countries are facing an influx of illegal waste shipments from Europe, which is having a major impact on the environment, economy and human health. This illegal waste trade has emerged as a highly profitable, low-risk criminal enterprise, with criminal actors exploiting loopholes and legitimate business structures to traffic waste. International rules are meant to restrict plastic waste exports, but an opaque global supply chain and haphazard regulatory system make it easy for companies to offload plastic that cannot be recycled on countries thousands of miles away.

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