Plastic Pollution: Our Water's Plastic Problem

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, with plastic debris covering roughly 40% of the ocean's surface. This plastic never fully biodegrades, instead breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics, which have been found in municipal drinking water systems, the air, and even in humans.

Mismanaged plastic waste

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues today. Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, with some reports indicating that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. The mass production of plastic began in 1952, and since then, annual production has increased nearly 200-fold. Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 20 years, with production rising from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015.

The chemical structure of most plastics makes them resistant to degradation, allowing large volumes of mismanaged plastic waste to persist in the environment and enter ecosystems and food webs. This waste breaks down into microplastics, which have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air. These microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have been detected everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench.

The presence of microplastics in the environment has led to their ingestion by marine animals, with plastic debris found in various species, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics, and plastic ingestion is a cause of death for many animals. Seals, whales, turtles, and other creatures are vulnerable to strangulation from abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings.

Addressing mismanaged plastic waste requires domestic policies to improve waste management and foreign investments from richer countries to support waste management infrastructure in low-to-middle-income nations. Capturing plastic pollution in water bodies is achievable through the use of debris booms and floating trash skimmers like the Seabin.

Plastic in drinking water

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste ending up in oceans, rivers, and other natural environments. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, with the US being the world's biggest contributor to plastic pollution.

This plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine wildlife and ecosystems, and it inevitably impacts humans as well. Plastic breaks down into smaller particles called microplastics, which are spread throughout the water column and have been found in drinking water systems. These microplastics, in turn, can break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics, which are less than 1 μm in size and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Recent studies have detected the presence of hundreds of thousands of these tiny plastic particles in bottled water using advanced imaging techniques like stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy. These particles are also present in tap water, albeit in smaller quantities, due to the use of plastic pipes and environmental pollution. The potential health effects of ingesting these plastic particles are still being studied, but it is known that microplastics and nanoplastics contain a mix of additive chemicals, some of which are hazardous and can leach into the water.

To reduce exposure to plastic particles, individuals can use filters for tap water and drink from plastic-free reusable water bottles. Avoiding food packaged in plastic and choosing loose fruits and vegetables can also help minimize plastic consumption. However, individual efforts alone are not enough to address this global crisis. Major systemic changes, such as banning plastic water and beverage bottles, especially in school lunchrooms, are necessary to protect public health and the environment.

Plastic in the food chain

Plastic is now found in almost every corner of the planet, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. It is present in the air, in the oceans, and in natural environments on land. It is, therefore, inevitable that plastic has made its way into the food chain.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is particularly concerning. Plastic waste in the ocean is broken down by sunlight, wind, and wave action into small particles, often less than one-fifth of an inch across. These microplastics are spread throughout the water column and ingested by marine animals. A 2019 Reuters infographic estimated that humans ingest about five grams of plastic every week. Over a year, this amounts to a full dinner plate of plastic.

Plastic's movement up the marine food web appears to start with the ocean's smallest animals. For example, arrow worms, a common plankton species, have been filmed eating plastic microfibers. These microplastics can block the worm's gut, causing eventual death. However, in some cases, the microplastics will pass through the animal and be eaten by another animal in the food chain. Microplastics have been found in middle-ocean and deep-sea fish, such as mackerel, which are then eaten by predators like seals or mahi-mahi.

Toxic chemicals collect in oceanic microplastics, which are then ingested by humans. The potential effects of these chemicals on human health are still being studied, but they could potentially affect the central nervous system and the reproductive system. Plastic additives such as bisphenol A and phthalates, which are not chemically bound in plastic polymers, may also leach out and contaminate the marine environment.

Plastic in the ocean

Plastic pollution in the ocean has detrimental impacts on marine wildlife and ecosystems. Animals can ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injury and death. A recent study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers. Sea turtles can mistake floating plastic garbage for food, and abandoned fishing nets can entangle seals, whales, and other animals. Microplastics can also absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, later releasing them into the ocean.

The proliferation of plastic products in recent decades has been extraordinary. Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, with up to 50% designed for single-use purposes. The production of disposable plastic products has overwhelmed the world's ability to deal with them, as evidenced by the low global recycling rate of 9%. The first commercially available plastic product was launched in 1907, but mass production began in 1952. Since then, annual plastic production has increased nearly 200-fold.

Addressing the issue of plastic in the ocean requires a concerted, broad-based, and long-term effort. Reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling items, and properly disposing of waste are crucial steps. Governments and businesses must also take responsibility and implement large-scale changes to reduce the flow of plastics into the ocean. With collective action, humanity can solve the ocean plastic crisis in one generation.

Global efforts to reduce plastic

Global Commitments and Treaties

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with the UN Environment Programme, has led the Global Commitment, a voluntary effort to stop plastic packaging from becoming waste. Since 2018, over 1,000 organizations have signed on, representing 20% of the world's plastic packaging industry. These business signatories have made significant progress in reducing their use of problematic plastics, stabilizing their use of virgin plastics, and increasing their use of recycled content. However, it is recognized that tougher measures and a legally binding international treaty are needed to comprehensively address the plastic pollution crisis.

Regional and National Initiatives

At a regional and national level, several efforts are being made to curb plastic pollution:

• The European Union (EU) created the Circular Economy Action Plan, which includes the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. This strategy strengthens regulations on recycling, promotes a more circular approach to reusing products, and discourages single-use plastics.
• Dominica's "Go Green Dominica" initiative aims to restore the island's natural environment by phasing out plastic products and introducing alternatives that can be converted into energy, water, or biomass.
• Bangladesh was one of the first countries to ban plastic bags in 2002, and 77 other countries have since followed suit, with 32 countries implementing taxes or restrictions on plastic bags.
• India, the world's second-most populated country, has struggled with plastic pollution due to a lack of waste management. They have recently passed a ban on single-use plastic products, including straws, cutlery, earbuds, and plastic sticks.
• Over 500 cities, counties, and states in the United States have introduced or supported legislation to discourage plastic bag use.

Business and Organization Efforts

Businesses and organizations are also playing a crucial role in reducing plastic pollution:

• The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty advocates for a comprehensive treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, including reduction, circulation, and prevention of plastic waste.
• The World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) brings together governments, businesses, and civil society to inform global negotiations and build national partnerships to combat plastic pollution.
• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) collaborates with partners in nearly 100 countries to reduce, source, design, and reuse plastic materials sustainably and eliminate single-use plastics.
• The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative ensures that businesses, governments, and stakeholders take action to reduce plastic pollution, with the goal of concrete agreements and terms by 2025.

While progress is being made, a combination of global treaties, regional initiatives, and business actions is necessary to address the complex and pressing issue of plastic pollution effectively.

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