The Ocean Cleanup: How Much Plastic Removed?

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with plastic making up 80% of all marine pollution. While the exact amount of plastic in the ocean is unknown, it is estimated that 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and there are currently 50 to 75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics polluting the ocean. Efforts to remove plastic from the ocean are ongoing, with organizations like Ocean Conservancy bringing together millions of volunteers to clean up beaches and prevent plastic from reaching the ocean. In 2023, The Ocean Cleanup NGO removed 25,000 pounds of trash in a single collection, the largest gathering of waste from the patch to date. While progress is being made, the challenge is immense, and with plastic production increasing globally, the ultimate solution lies in preventing plastic from entering the ocean in the first place through improved waste management, legislation, and research.

Beach cleanups are an effective way to deal with ocean plastics

The Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organisation, has been conducting beach cleanups for over 35 years. During this time, their volunteers have picked up more than 348 million pounds of trash from beaches worldwide. Other organisations, such as the Surfrider Foundation, American Littoral Society, and Ocean Blue Project, also arrange beach cleanups for volunteers. These efforts are crucial in preventing plastics from entering the ocean and causing further harm to marine life and ecosystems.

Beach cleanups are particularly effective because most plastic in the ocean remains within 100 miles of the shore, between the coastline and the ocean. This plastic washes back and forth and scrapes on the sand, eventually breaking down into microplastics. By conducting beach cleanups, volunteers can prevent this plastic from entering the ocean and reduce the amount of microplastics in the water.

In addition to beach cleanups, there are other strategies to address ocean plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup, for example, is a non-profit organisation that uses river interception technologies and ocean cleanup systems to remove plastic from rivers and the ocean. They aim to remove 90% of plastic from the ocean by 2040. However, it is important to note that no single solution can effectively reduce ocean plastic. Fundamental and systemic changes are required, including banning single-use plastics, improving waste management practices, and increasing recycling infrastructure.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is three times the size of France

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located within the North Pacific Gyre, is a massive accumulation of trash, primarily plastic, in the Pacific Ocean. It was first discovered in 1997 by oceanographer Charles Moore and has since grown to an alarming size. According to a 2018 study, the patch spans approximately 617,763 square miles (1.6 million square kilometres), making it three times the size of France. This new estimate is up to 16 times bigger than previous calculations, highlighting the rapid accumulation of plastic waste in this area.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a stark example of the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans. It is composed of countless pieces of garbage, including plastic bottles, fishing nets, microplastics, and various other types of trash. The bulk of the pile is made up of larger objects, with only about 8% consisting of microplastics, or pieces smaller than 5 millimetres. This garbage patch is not static but is dictated by marine gyres, large whirlpool-like currents that keep the waste bound together.

The magnitude of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. According to Laurent Lebreton, a French scientist and lead author of the 2018 study, the plastic accumulation rate within the patch exceeds the outflow. This means that more plastic is entering the patch than leaving it, resulting in a continuous growth in size. The implications of this are far-reaching, as marine life inadvertently consumes the plastic debris, leading to plastic contamination in the food chain that ultimately ends up on our plates.

Addressing the issue of plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch requires a multi-faceted approach. Organisations like The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation, are dedicated to developing advanced technologies and conducting large-scale clean-up efforts to tackle this pressing issue. However, as Dianna Cohen, co-founder and CEO of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, emphasises, cleanup alone is not sufficient. It must be coupled with source reduction and effective waste management practices to stem the flow of plastic into our environment and work towards a world free of plastic pollution.

While the Great Pacific Garbage Patch may be the most infamous, it is important to note that it is not an isolated case. There are currently five main ocean gyres contributing to the formation of massive garbage patches in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The ongoing challenge of managing and reducing plastic waste requires global cooperation and commitment from governments, organisations, and individuals alike.

India, China, and Brazil mismanage the most waste

The amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 1 million to 8 million tonnes per year. The problem is often attributed to the mismanagement of waste, which varies widely from country to country. According to the 2023 Plastic Overshoot Day report, India, China, and Brazil mismanage the most waste. These three countries are responsible for a significant portion of the world's mismanaged plastic waste, contributing to the approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic dumped into the ocean annually.

India, in particular, has been identified as the world's largest plastic emitter in a 2024 study published in Nature Journal. The study found that around 5.8 million tonnes of plastic solid waste is openly burned in India each year, contributing to air pollution and negatively impacting human health and ecosystems. India's high population plays a role in its high absolute ranking, and the country faces challenges in waste management. Despite these challenges, India has made efforts to address its plastic waste problem, with a reported capacity to process 71% of its primary plastic production through recycling and incineration.

China, on the other hand, has improved its waste management systems in recent years. Previously, China was the biggest importer of plastic waste, taking in 72.4% of the world's plastic waste exports. However, in 2018, China banned most plastic waste imports, which led to a dramatic shift in the global plastic waste market. Despite this, China still faces challenges, with 76% of its imported plastic waste being mismanaged, contributing to environmental issues.

Brazil, the third country mentioned, also struggles with plastic waste mismanagement. While specific data on Brazil's plastic waste management is scarce, it is one of the top 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world's mismanaged plastic waste. The mismanagement of plastic waste in these countries has significant environmental consequences, with plastic ending up in the ocean, on streets, in unofficial dumps, and in large, uncontained trash heaps.

The issue of plastic waste in the ocean is a global concern, and addressing it requires a combination of improved waste management practices, reduced plastic usage, and international collaboration. While some progress has been made, such as the removal of 25,000 pounds of trash by The Ocean Cleanup NGO in 2023, the increasing production of plastic worldwide underscores the urgency of implementing long-term solutions to prevent plastic from reaching our oceans.

The US produces the most waste per capita

While it is difficult to estimate the exact amount of plastic in the ocean, it is clear that plastic pollution is a significant issue. The Ocean Conservancy has been working to tackle this problem for over 35 years, and their volunteers have collected more than 348 million pounds of trash from beaches worldwide. Despite these efforts, plastic production continues to increase globally, and it is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean annually.

The United States plays a significant role in contributing to plastic waste. According to the 2023 Plastic Overshoot Day report, the US is one of the top three countries producing the most kilotonnes of plastic waste annually, along with China and India. When it comes to waste produced per capita, the US takes the top spot, with 105 kg of plastic thrown away per person per year. This equates to approximately 4.4 to 7.1 pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) per person per day, with Nevada being the most wasteful state, producing nearly 8 pounds per person per day.

The management of plastic waste in the US is a critical aspect of the issue. While the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been collecting and reporting data on waste generation and disposition for over 35 years, the recycling rate has not kept pace with the increasing waste production. In 2018, the recycling rate was 32.1%, and the total MSW composted was 25 million tons. However, a significant portion of waste still ends up in landfills, with nearly 20% of all waste in the US being incinerated and the majority of the remaining 80% being landfilled.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a particular area of concern within the broader waste issue in the US. Each year, over 3.2 million tons of e-waste are landfilled, including computers, monitors, televisions, and batteries. These electronic devices contain hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, beryllium, and chromium, which can leach into the soil and groundwater, posing risks to both the environment and human health. Despite the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts, the recycling rate for e-waste remains low, with only about 25% recycled in 2009.

To address the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. While organizations like Ocean Conservancy are working to remove plastic from the ocean and prevent it from entering in the first place, it is crucial to focus on waste management and reduction at the source. This includes improving recycling and composting rates, especially for e-waste, and supporting the development of fundamental waste collection and management practices in countries with rapidly growing economies and increasing disposable plastic use. By addressing the issue from multiple angles, we can make progress towards reducing the amount of plastic entering our oceans and mitigating its impact on the environment and human health.

The fate of plastics in the ocean is a puzzle for researchers

The fate of plastics in the ocean is a puzzle that researchers are trying to solve. While it’s often plastics floating in the open sea that capture our attention, this is probably only a fraction of the plastic that enters the ocean. The amount of plastic entering the ocean is difficult to estimate, with early studies producing higher figures of around 8 million tonnes per year, while more recent research estimates a figure between 1 million and 1.7 million tonnes.

The Ocean Conservancy has brought together millions of volunteers from around the world to participate in their annual International Coastal Cleanup, who have collected over 348 million pounds of trash from beaches. In 2023, The Ocean Cleanup NGO removed about 25,000 pounds of trash in one collection, the largest gathering of waste from a patch to date. However, the problem is immense, and progress is slow, with more trash continually entering the ocean.

The plastic in the ocean comes from a variety of sources. Most ocean-bound plastic has a land-based origin, with trash being mismanaged after disposal or simply thrown into the environment, where it makes its way into rivers and the ocean. Over 80% of ocean-bound plastic comes from Asia, although it is worth noting that many European countries still ship their plastic waste to Asia. Another significant source of plastic waste is the fishing industry, which directly throws plastic waste overboard. Estimates suggest that 10% of ocean waste is ghost gear, including fishing nets, traps, and lines lost at sea, some of which are kilometers long.

The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is devastating for marine life and ecosystems. Plastic items can cause damage to animals through suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infection, and internal injuries. Microplastics have also become part of the food chain, being consumed by marine animals and ending up in their bodies and tissues. Plastic materials are carcinogenic and can affect the endocrine system, causing developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders.

The challenge of cleaning up plastic in the ocean is complex. While some advocate for high-tech solutions such as The Ocean Cleanup, others argue that lower-tech strategies like beach cleanups are more effective in preventing plastics from reaching the ocean. Additionally, the implementation of waste collection and management practices in countries with rapidly growing economies and increasing disposable plastic usage is crucial. Addressing the root cause of the problem by reducing the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic is also essential.

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