The Ocean's Plastic Crisis: An Ominous Tally

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that threatens marine life and ecosystems. While the exact amount of plastic in the ocean is uncertain, estimates range from 75 to 199 million tons, with millions of tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year. This plastic pollution comes from a variety of sources, including single-use plastic products, fishing gear, and microplastics from sources like synthetic clothing and personal care products. The impact of this pollution is devastating, killing marine animals and birds, contaminating the food chain, and affecting human health and economies. Addressing plastic pollution requires collective action on a global scale, including reducing plastic use, improving waste management, and supporting initiatives like bans on single-use plastics.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The patch covers an estimated 1.6 million square kilometres, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. It contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing an estimated 100,000 tonnes. The mass of plastic in the patch is believed to have increased "10-fold each decade" since 1945, with some of the plastic in the patch being over 50 years old.

Plastic straws

The lightweight nature of plastic straws makes them easily susceptible to becoming litter, blown out of rubbish bins and landfills by the wind, ultimately ending up in waterways and oceans. They are also ingested by birds scavenging at landfill sites. Once in the marine environment, plastic straws pose a serious threat to wildlife, including seabirds, fish, sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Their shape makes it easy for them to get stuck in the noses, throats, and stomachs of marine animals, causing injury, illness, or even death.

The production, usage, and disposal of plastic straws all have negative environmental and health impacts. Their production emits carbon dioxide equivalent to millions of cars, and their disposal contributes to landfills, incineration, and ocean pollution. Plastic straws are not biodegradable, and they can take up to 200 years to decompose, breaking down into microplastics that pollute the environment and can enter the food chain. Even "compostable" plastic straws often do not fully compost or biodegrade as they require oxygen and sunshine to break down, which is not available in landfills or oceans.

The good news is that there is growing public awareness and action to reduce the use of plastic straws. Some countries and local governments have started banning plastic straws or implementing "Skip the Straw" or "Straws Upon Request" laws. Alternative materials such as bamboo, metal, paper, or reusable glass, metal, or bamboo straws are also being promoted. These efforts are crucial in reducing the impact of plastic straws on our oceans and the environment.

Plastic bags

The issue of plastic bags in the ocean is challenging to quantify, but their impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems is undeniable. Single-use plastic bags, which dominate the market, are often made of flimsy plastic that quickly breaks down into small fragments or is ingested by marine life, such as sea turtles. Floating bags resemble jellyfish, a key food source for turtles, and can become lodged in their digestive systems, leading to fatal consequences.

The prevalence of plastic bags in the ocean is influenced by their widespread use and inadequate waste management practices. Despite efforts to curb plastic bag usage, single-use plastic production continues to rise. Additionally, a significant portion of plastic waste is mismanaged, with a large percentage of it not being recycled, incinerated, or properly disposed of. This mismanagement leads to plastic leaking into the environment and making its way into rivers and oceans.

To address the problem of plastic bags in the ocean, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management practices, and promoting recycling and alternative materials are crucial steps. By supporting the development of fundamental waste collection and management systems, especially in countries with rapidly growing economies and high disposable plastic usage, we can prevent plastic from reaching our oceans. Additionally, holding plastic producers accountable for the harmful waste they generate is essential to driving systemic change.

While it is difficult to determine the exact number of plastic bags in the ocean, their presence is undeniable, and their impact on marine life and ecosystems is devastating. By taking action and advocating for better waste management and plastic reduction policies, we can work towards keeping our oceans clean and protecting marine life from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.

Microplastics

It is estimated that a staggering 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters our oceans annually. This vast amount of plastic doesn't simply disappear; instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics – tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size. These microplastics are a significant concern as they are pervasive and persistent in the marine environment, impacting ecosystems and wildlife.

The presence of microplastics in the ocean has significant ecological implications. These tiny particles can be ingested by marine organisms, from small invertebrates to large whales. They can become trapped in the digestive systems of these animals, leading to reduced appetite, growth, and reproductive success. Additionally, microplastics can absorb and release toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and organic pollutants, which can then be transferred up the food chain, potentially affecting higher predators and even humans.

The impact of microplastics extends beyond individual organisms to entire ecosystems. As they accumulate in marine sediments, they can alter the physical and chemical properties of the seafloor, affecting the biodiversity and functioning of benthic communities. Furthermore, microplastics can also impact key ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and the transfer of energy through food webs, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

Addressing the issue of microplastics in the ocean requires a multifaceted approach. Reducing plastic waste and improving waste management practices are crucial, including investing in recycling technologies and promoting the use of biodegradable alternatives. Additionally, regulating the use of microbeads in personal care products and improving the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes can help reduce the influx of microplastics into aquatic environments. Public awareness and education are also vital to encourage behavioral changes that reduce plastic consumption and promote responsible waste disposal.

To effectively tackle the problem of microplastics, further research is needed to fully understand their sources, fate, and impacts. This includes studying the complex pathways through which plastics break down in the environment and assessing the potential risks associated with the presence of microplastics in the food chain. Only through a combination of policy changes, technological advancements, and societal awareness can we hope to mitigate the environmental and ecological consequences of microplastics in our oceans.

Global efforts to reduce plastic waste

While the world remains off track from eliminating plastic waste and pollution, there are global efforts to reduce plastic waste. One notable initiative is the Global Commitment, led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme. Since 2018, over 1,000 organisations have joined, representing 20% of the world's plastic packaging industry, and have made significant progress in tackling plastic waste.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is another effort that ensures businesses, governments, and stakeholders take responsibility for reducing plastic pollution. The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan, implemented in 2015, strengthens regulations on recycling and promotes a more circular approach to reusing products. The EU has also passed legislation banning single-use plastics, following a 2017 Eurobarometer survey that identified this as a key area for improvement.

At the international level, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) unanimously approved a resolution to create a legally binding treaty by 2024 to combat plastic pollution. This treaty will address the full lifecycle of plastics and foster collaboration to reduce plastic pollution from its source to the sea. The Pew Charitable Trusts is also working with countries to analyse national plastics policies and provide tools to quantify plastic production and waste, with the aim of preventing ocean plastic pollution.

In addition, individual countries are taking action. For example, Guatemala banned single-use plastics in 2019, giving the public two years to transition to alternatives. Dominica's "Go Green Dominica" initiative aims to phase out plastic products and introduce alternatives that can be converted into energy or biomass. These efforts demonstrate a global recognition of the plastic pollution crisis and a commitment to finding solutions.

Frequently asked questions