Shocking Amounts Of Plastic Wash Up On Shores Daily

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with the world dumping 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean each day. While the exact amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean is uncertain, it is estimated that around 0.5% of the world's plastic waste, or 11 million metric tons, enters the ocean annually. This plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, killing approximately 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million seabirds annually. It also impacts coastal environments, the fishing and tourism industries, and the health of humans who consume seafood. While some plastic sinks to the ocean floor, a significant amount washes up on shore, accumulating on beaches and floating in coastal waters.

The world dumps 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean, rivers and lakes every day

The world dumps 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean, rivers, and lakes every day. This plastic waste often washes up on shores, where it accumulates and poses a threat to the environment, human health, and local economies. Loji Beach in West Java, Indonesia, is one such place where plastic waste from fishing gear and everyday items like water bottles, single-use cups, and food wrappers form islands in the sea and pile up on the sand. Indonesia, as the world's second-biggest producer of plastic waste, is taking steps to address this issue by tightening rules for plastic waste imports and only allowing shipments of fully recyclable products.

The presence of plastic waste in the ocean is a global problem resulting from increasing consumption and improper waste management. While less than 0.5% of the 400 million metric tons of plastic produced annually ends up in the ocean, this still amounts to over 1 million metric tons of pollution. Plastic waste can remain in coastal waters and near shorelines for years, with 77% of plastic staying in these areas for the first five years after entering the ocean, according to a study by Utrecht University oceanographer Erik van Sebille. This plastic pollution breaks down into microplastics, which are fragments smaller than five millimeters in length, and eventually become incorporated into the sand on beaches.

Microplastics, originating from synthetic clothing, personal care products, tires, and city dust, are a significant contributor to the plastic pollution in oceans. Sewage is one of the primary sources of microplastics, with laundry being a major culprit as microfibers from synthetic clothing are released into wastewater. These microplastics are not effectively captured by current sewage treatment plant technology, leading to their presence in the ocean and ocean sediment. The increase in microplastics over time mirrors the rate of global plastic production, emphasizing the need for improved filtration techniques and waste management practices.

To combat the issue of plastic pollution, some organizations focus on controlling its sources, such as proposing advanced filtration techniques to capture microfibers before they enter the sewage system. Beach cleanups, organized by groups like The Ocean Conservancy and the Surfrider Foundation, are also an effective way to address the plastic pollution that accumulates on coastlines. Additionally, countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and the European Union are implementing bans on plastic waste imports and exports to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on their natural environments and industries. These collective efforts are crucial in addressing the climate and environmental crisis represented by the plastic waste that washes up on our shores daily.

Plastic waste accumulates on shores, impacting the environment, fishing and tourism industries

Plastic waste is accumulating on shores worldwide, wreaking havoc on the environment, fishing, and tourism industries. Every day, 2,000 truckloads of plastic, or about eight million tons of plastic waste annually, are dumped into the oceans, rivers, and lakes, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of this pollution. This plastic waste often washes up on beaches, forming mountains of trash that deter tourists and harm marine life.

The environmental impact of plastic waste on shores is significant. Once plastic reaches the ocean, it is challenging, if not impossible, to retrieve. Sunlight, wind, and waves break down plastic into microplastics, which spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. These microplastics are further breaking down into smaller pieces, and plastic microfibers have been detected in municipal drinking water systems and the air we breathe. The exact effects of microplastics on human health are still being studied, but their presence in our blood, lungs, and feces is concerning.

The fishing industry is also suffering from plastic waste accumulation on shores. Plastic waste has been found in the digestive systems of over 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels, which can lead to blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, resulting in death. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are affected by plastic pollution, and entanglement in abandoned fishing gear or six-pack rings is a common cause of animal mortality.

The tourism industry is not immune to the impacts of plastic waste on shores. With 80% of tourism occurring in coastal areas, countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia have been forced to take drastic measures to combat plastic pollution. The Philippines temporarily closed Boracay to address sewage issues, and Thailand shut down Maya Bay due to pollution and damage caused by tourists. Indonesia declared a ""garbage emergency" in parts of Bali, and popular surfing and snorkelling spots in West Java are now inundated with plastic waste, impacting the tourist experience.

To address the issue of plastic waste accumulation on shores, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Improved waste management systems, better product design, and a reduction in single-use plastic manufacturing have been proposed as potential solutions. The travel and tourism industry is taking steps to reduce its plastic footprint, with companies like Thomas Cook removing single-use plastic items from their operations and branded hotels. However, as UN Environment's research has shown, the industry's solid waste generation, including marine plastic pollution, remains a significant concern.

Most plastic in the ocean remains within 100 miles of the shore, washing back and forth, eventually breaking down into microplastics

The world dumps 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean each day. While a lot of this waste accumulates on coastlines and beaches, some of it gets washed back into the sea, where it breaks down into microplastics.

Coastlines are the final resting place for most floating ocean plastic. This is because plastic waste is more likely to get stuck or sink to the bottom of the ocean floor the further it travels from the shore. In fact, one study found that for the first five years after entering the ocean from land, 77% of plastic remained on beaches or floated in coastal waters.

According to Utrecht University oceanographer Erik van Sebille, most plastic in the ocean remains within 100 miles of the shore between the coastline and ocean, washing back and forth and scraping on the sand—a process that eventually breaks it down into microplastics. This means that beach cleanups may be one of the most effective ways of dealing with ocean plastics and microplastics.

The ocean currently contains an estimated 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics, which are fragments of plastic less than five millimetres in length, or about the size of a sesame seed. These microplastics are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, as well as from synthetic clothing, personal care products, tires, and city dust.

The impact of plastic waste on the environment, human health, and economies has led to countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and the European Union tightening their rules for plastic waste imports and implementing bans on incoming plastic waste shipments.

The majority of plastic waste is microscopic, making it difficult to remove from the sea

The world produces around 350 million to 400 million tonnes of plastic waste each year. It is estimated that between one and two million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. That means less than 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. However, this still amounts to 2,000 truckloads of plastic being dumped into the ocean, rivers, and lakes every day.

One study found that, in the first five years after entering the ocean from land, 77% of plastic remained on beaches or floated in coastal waters. About 80% of floating plastic will beach on a coastline within a month of leaking into the ocean. This means that beach cleanups may be one of the most effective ways of dealing with ocean plastics and microplastics. However, it is important to note that most plastic waste comes from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia, due to poorer waste management infrastructure. Therefore, improving the management of plastic waste across the world, especially in poorer countries, is critical to tackling the problem of plastic pollution.

Sewage is one of the primary sources of microplastics, with laundry being a major contributor

Municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs) are significant point sources of microplastics in freshwater systems. Studies have shown that microplastics in STP influents range from 15.1 to 640 L-1, while those in effluents can go from undetectable to 65 L-1. The occurrence of microplastics in STPs has been widely studied in the United States, Europe, and Australia, but it is expected that microplastics are also widespread in other nations, especially those with high plastic usage.

Laundry is a top contributor to microplastic pollution in sewage. Synthetic fabrics, which are increasingly common in clothing, constantly shed microfibers, especially during the washing process. A single wash load can release several million microfibers, which then enter the wastewater stream and ultimately end up in sewage systems. These microfibers can contain toxic chemicals such as fabric dyes, anti-wrinkle agents, and flame retardants, as well as attract other contaminants like metals and pesticides.

Advanced wastewater treatment plants can remove up to 99% of microfibers from water. However, due to the vast volume of water processed daily, a significant number of microplastics still escape into the environment. Furthermore, the microfibers that are captured may not be effectively removed from the sewage sludge, which is sometimes used as fertiliser, leading to microplastics entering the air, soil, and food chain.

To address this issue, individuals can adopt more sustainable laundry practices, such as using products like the Guppyfriend laundry bag or the Cora Ball, which can help capture microfibers and reduce wastewater pollution. Additionally, doing laundry less frequently and choosing clothing made from natural fibres can also help mitigate the problem.

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