The Ocean's Plastic Crisis: 1950'S Unseen Pollution

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that has emerged since the widespread use of plastic in the 1950s. The amount of plastic in the ocean has been massively underestimated, according to a National Oceanography Centre study. This is partly due to the lack of long-term data on the distribution and trends of plastics in the ocean. However, it is estimated that between 1950 and 2015, 107 to 290 million metric tons of plastic were emitted into the ocean. The annual production of plastics has increased significantly over the years, with a nearly 230-fold increase in the 70 years following the 1950s.

Plastic production increased rapidly in the 1950s

The widespread use of plastic began in the 1950s, and since then, plastic production has increased exponentially. Plastic is a versatile, lightweight, durable, flexible, and low-cost material with a wide variety of applications. Its commercialisation began during World War II and spread worldwide within less than a century.

The annual global production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold over the last seven decades, reaching 413.8 million metric tons in 2023. China is the largest producer, accounting for 32% of global production in 2022, with North America in second place, at 17% in the same year.

The increase in plastic production has had a significant impact on the oceanic environment. Between 1950 and 2015, it is estimated that 107 to 290 million metric tons of plastic were released into the ocean. The plastic that enters the ocean is a mix of buoyant and non-buoyant materials. The buoyant plastic either beaches onshore, sinks near the shore, or escapes into the ocean, eventually ending up in garbage patches. The non-buoyant plastic sinks near its entry point.

The plastic in the ocean has had detrimental effects on marine life and human health. It poses risks such as entanglement, ingestion, potential dispersal of invasive species, and contamination through trophic levels. Microplastics, which are fine particles of degraded plastic, can spread in the air, water, and soil, impacting both aquatic animals and humans.

Plastic use became widespread in the 1950s

The 1950s also saw the start of rapid growth in global plastic production, which has increased nearly 230-fold over the subsequent 70 years. This exponential increase in plastic production has led to a significant presence of plastics in the oceanic environment, with an estimated 107 to 290 million metric tons of plastic emitted into the ocean between 1950 and 2015.

The widespread use of plastic in the 1950s can be attributed to its affordability and ease of availability. The slow-degrading material was readily adopted for a wide range of applications, including netting and fishing products. The versatility and durability of plastic contributed to its popularity, making it a preferred choice for various industries.

The use of plastic in the 1950s also extended to military applications. PVC, for example, was widely used by the military, particularly in the United States, where production surged during the early 1940s. The versatility and durability of plastic made it ideal for military equipment and vehicles.

While the widespread use of plastic began in the 1950s, its history dates back earlier. The first recognition of its commercial potential came with a UK patent in 1911, and French researchers made significant contributions to its development. However, it was an American company that built the first polystyrene plant, with the help of a Russian scientist who had emigrated to the country.

Plastic waste management strategies

Although it is unclear how much plastic was in the ocean in 1950, it is estimated that between 107 and 290 million metric tons of plastic were emitted into the ocean between 1950 and 2015. During this period, plastic output increased exponentially, and it continues to increase as global plastic production surges.

To address the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, here are some strategies for plastic waste management:

Production of Plastics

Focus on improvements at an industrial level, including the usefulness of life cycle assessments. This can involve implementing regulations and standards that promote sustainable production practices, such as using recycled materials, minimizing plastic packaging, and encouraging the development of biodegradable plastics.

Consumption of Plastic Products

Reduce the appeal of plastic products to consumers, especially through education. This can include raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste, promoting sustainable alternatives, and encouraging consumers to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic products.

Waste Management

Implement integrated waste management systems that focus on the four R's: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover. This includes improving waste collection and sorting systems, investing in recycling technologies, and promoting proper disposal methods to prevent plastic litter from reaching oceans.

International Collaboration

Plastic waste management requires a global effort. The Basel Convention, signed by over 180 countries, regulates the trade of mixed plastic scrap between nations, reducing the ability to export plastic waste and encouraging local solutions.

Technological Innovations

Explore the use of artificial intelligence in plastic waste management, from generation to disposal. This can include smart recycling systems, waste-to-energy technologies, and the development of new materials that are more environmentally friendly.

Policy and Regulation

Governments play a crucial role in plastic waste management. This includes enacting bans on single-use plastics, implementing extended producer responsibility, and providing incentives for recycling and sustainable alternatives.

By implementing these strategies and working together globally, we can effectively manage plastic waste and reduce its impact on our oceans.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a recent discovery

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a relatively recent discovery. The use of man-made materials for producing netting and fishing products became widespread in the 1950s, when these slow-degrading materials were made readily available and affordable. Since then, there has been a rapid increase in plastic production for a wide range of uses, and a number of environmental impacts have been observed.

The exponential growth in global plastic production began in the 1950s. Over the next 70 years, annual production increased nearly 230-fold to 460 million tonnes in 2019. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with estimates suggesting that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. This means that 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year.

The impact of plastic pollution on the ocean environment and marine organisms has become a growing concern. Plastic pollution permeates every inch of the ocean, from microplastics in the food chain to plastic water bottles floating on the surface. One of the most famous examples is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a monolith of ocean pollution made up of all kinds of marine debris, containing 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic and covering an area twice the size of Texas.

The realisation of the impact of plastic pollution on the ocean is a relatively recent discovery. In the 1960s, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered that more than 100 million tonnes of waste had been dumped in the ocean. This report did not include plastic pollution, as it had only recently become a mainstream material. It was not until the 1970s that the realisation hit that plastic does not "go away"; instead, it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics.

Plastic waste in the ocean has increased exponentially since the 1950s

The impact of this waste is far-reaching, with plastic permeating every inch of the ocean, from microplastics in the food chain to plastic water bottles floating on the surface. The slow degradation of plastics means that they persist in the environment, breaking down into microplastics that can be ingested by marine organisms and impact human health. The accumulation of plastic waste in the ocean has become a global concern, with potential health risks for both marine life and humans.

While the exact number is unknown, it is estimated that over 1 million marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution in the ocean. The majority of these deaths are seabirds, with mammals accounting for about 100,000 deaths. In addition, whales are consuming millions of particles of plastic every day as they filter feed in the oceans. For blue whales, this equates to between 230 kg and 4 metric tons of plastic during the feeding season.

The increase in plastic waste in the ocean is due to a combination of factors, including the slow degradation of plastics, the mismanagement of waste, and the continued surge in plastic production. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but it is the mismanagement of waste in low-to-middle-income countries that contributes the most to plastic in the ocean. Improving waste management strategies and reducing plastic production are crucial to mitigating the harm caused by plastic pollution in the ocean.

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