Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. With millions of tons of plastic debris floating in the ocean, it is essential to address this global crisis. The plastic pollution in the oceans is irreversible, as it takes hundreds of years to degrade, during which it breaks down into microplastics that can be ingested by wildlife and enter the human food chain. To combat this issue, a variety of strategies are being employed, including international treaties, legislation, individual actions, and innovative cleanup technologies. The success of these efforts relies on reducing plastic use, improving waste management, and preventing new plastic from entering the ocean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce plastic use | Avoid single-use plastics, buy in bulk, choose non-plastic packaging, and support legislation to reduce plastic bag use |
| Reuse and recycle | Commit to reusing and recycling disposable and single-use plastic items |
| Participate in cleanups | Volunteer for local marine litter cleanups, support organizations like Ocean Conservancy and Ocean Cleanup |
| Improve waste management | Develop fundamental waste collection and management systems, especially in rapidly growing economies with high plastic consumption |
| Intercept river pollution | Use technology like Interceptors to catch plastic pollution in rivers before it reaches the ocean |
| Remove accumulated ocean plastic | Use large-scale ocean cleanup systems, like Ocean Cleanup's floating net-like barriers |
| Educate and advocate | Stay informed about plastic pollution, spread awareness, and advocate for policy changes to reduce plastic production and consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce plastic use
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. It is estimated that about 8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010, and the problem has only grown since. The plastic we use daily, such as toothbrushes, water bottles, and food containers, eventually gets thrown out, and if not properly disposed of, can end up in the ocean.
Reduce and Refuse: The first step is to be aware of your plastic usage and commit to changing your habits. Reduce your consumption of disposable and single-use plastic items. Refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and containers.
Reusable Alternatives: Opt for reusable products instead of single-use plastics. Carry your own reusable grocery bags, produce bags, water bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and garment bags.
Avoid Microplastics: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can come from larger plastics breaking down or products containing microbeads, such as face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes. Avoid using products with plastic microbeads by checking ingredient labels for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene." Microfibers shed from synthetic clothing are also a significant source of microplastics, so consider choosing clothing made from natural fibres instead.
Recycling: Recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean. When using single-use plastics, ensure that you recycle them properly. Understand what your local area allows for recycling and follow the recycling symbols on plastic products.
Support Policies and Cleanups: Support the adoption of policies and legislation that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items. Participate in local cleanups to help remove plastic litter from your community and prevent it from reaching the ocean.
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Avoid products with microplastics
While it is difficult to completely avoid microplastics, there are several products that are known to contain them, which you can avoid to limit your exposure.
Microplastics are small plastics less than 5mm in size. They can come from larger plastics breaking down, or they can be produced as small plastics, such as microbeads, found in products like toothpaste and face wash.
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Microplastics are commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products, such as face scrubs, toothpastes, body washes, and soaps. Look for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene" on the ingredient labels of your cosmetic products to identify products containing microplastics. Opt for natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging.
- Synthetic clothing: Synthetic clothing made from materials like polyester, polyamide, and nylon can shed microplastic fibres. These fibres can end up in water supplies and contribute to ocean plastic pollution. Choose natural fabrics instead.
- Plastic food packaging: Plastic food packaging, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles, can break down into microplastics. Avoid single-use plastic packaging and opt for reusable or recyclable alternatives.
- Baby products: Some baby food products packaged in plastic may contain microplastics. A study found that certain plastic packaging released up to 4 million microplastics per square centimetre. Choose glass or ceramic containers for storing and heating baby food.
- Chopping boards: Plastic chopping boards have been identified as a significant source of microplastic contamination. Opt for wooden or bamboo chopping boards instead.
- Non-stick cookware: Non-stick cookware often contains "forever chemicals" like PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals can end up in the environment and contribute to microplastic pollution. Choose stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron cookware instead.
- Cleaning products: Some cleaning products may contain chemicals that can break down into microplastics. Opt for natural, eco-friendly cleaning products or make your own using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and water.
Remember, while it is important to make conscious choices to reduce your exposure to microplastics, it is also crucial to advocate for government regulation and support organizations working to address plastic pollution on a larger scale.
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Support waste collection and recycling
Supporting waste collection and recycling is a critical aspect of containing plastic in the ocean. Here are some ways to contribute to this effort:
Reduce Plastic Consumption: Start by reducing your use of single-use plastics, such as water bottles, takeout containers, and plastic bags. Opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible. Single-use plastic items are often designed for quick disposal, and if not properly managed, they can end up in the ocean, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. By reducing your consumption of these items, you directly decrease the potential for plastic waste to enter the ocean.
Properly Dispose of and Recycle Plastics: When using single-use plastics, ensure that you properly dispose of and recycle them. Currently, only about 9% of plastic is recycled worldwide. Recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean and reduces the demand for "new" plastic. Look for recycling programs in your community, and support initiatives that promote recycling and sustainable waste management practices.
Participate in Cleanups: Volunteer for marine litter cleanups in your local community or join organizations dedicated to ocean cleanup. For example, The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization with a dual strategy: intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the ocean and cleaning up accumulated ocean plastic. They have developed river cleanup technology called Interceptors, which have successfully removed over 2.2 million pounds of trash from rivers worldwide.
Support Organizations and Policies: Hundreds of organizations are working to combat ocean plastic pollution, and you can support their efforts. For instance, Waste Free Oceans (WFO) mobilizes various sectors, including fisheries, recyclers, and policymakers, to reduce, reuse, and recycle marine litter. You can also advocate for policies that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items. Such legislation has been successfully enacted in many places globally, and your support can help implement similar measures in your community.
Stay Informed and Educate Others: Stay informed about issues related to plastic pollution and educate those around you. Avoid products containing plastic microbeads, often found in face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes, by checking ingredient labels for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene." Host documentary screenings or share information with friends and family to raise awareness and encourage others to be part of the solution.
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Clean up rivers and oceans
Cleaning up rivers and oceans is a crucial step in containing plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit organization, has been at the forefront of these efforts, aiming to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. Their river cleanup technology, called Interceptors, involves deploying solar-powered catamaran-like vessels at the mouths of polluted rivers. These vessels use barriers and conveyor belts to collect trash, which is then transported to waste management facilities. The Interceptors have successfully removed over 2.2 million pounds of trash from rivers in multiple countries.
In addition to The Ocean Cleanup's efforts, individuals can play a vital role in cleaning up rivers and oceans. Participating in local river and beach cleanups is a direct way to make an impact. Organizations like Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved in removing trash from beaches worldwide.
Another aspect of cleanup is waste management and recycling. Proper waste management infrastructure can prevent plastic waste from reaching oceans and rivers. Recycling plays a crucial role in keeping plastics out of the ocean and reducing the demand for "new" plastic. Individuals can contribute by recycling single-use plastics and supporting policies that promote recycling and reduce plastic waste.
To further reduce plastic pollution, it is essential to decrease plastic use. Individuals can achieve this by reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic items. Avoiding single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles, is a significant step. Additionally, individuals should be cautious when purchasing cosmetics and other personal care products, as these often contain microplastics. By choosing products with non-plastic packaging and supporting legislation that discourages plastic bag use, individuals can collectively make a significant impact in the fight against plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans.
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Advocate for plastic-reducing legislation
To effectively tackle the issue of plastic in the ocean, advocating for plastic-reducing legislation is crucial. This involves supporting and pushing for laws and policies that address the root causes of plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives. Here are some ways to advocate for plastic-reducing legislation:
Support Global Treaties and Agreements:
Hundreds of organizations and businesses have successfully collaborated with United Nations member states to establish a global plastics treaty. This treaty, signed by 175 member states, aims to set international standards and regulations to combat plastic pollution. As an individual, you can lend your voice to support such global initiatives and encourage your country's leaders to commit to and enforce these agreements.
Advocate for Comprehensive Legislation:
Legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management practices, and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste is essential. Advocate for laws that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. Support policies that promote reusable and recyclable alternatives, ensuring that producers are responsible for the entire life cycle of their plastic products.
Engage with Local and National Governments:
Get involved with local and national legislative processes by contacting your representatives and expressing your support for plastic-reducing policies. Encourage them to implement laws that align with global agreements and best practices. Participate in public consultations and provide input on legislative proposals related to plastic pollution.
Support State-Level Action:
Organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are actively working to advance state-level legislation in priority states to reduce plastic waste. Engage with such organizations and support their efforts to strengthen existing laws and introduce new ones. This ensures that plastic-reducing measures are tailored to specific state needs and contexts.
Stay Informed and Educate Others:
Stay up to date on issues related to plastic pollution and educate those around you. Host awareness events, share information on social media, and recommend documentaries that highlight the problem of plastic in the ocean. By spreading awareness, you can empower others to take action and create a collective impact.
Vote and Advocate for Environmental Candidates:
When election time comes, vote for candidates who prioritize environmental protection and have strong stances on reducing plastic pollution. Encourage others to do the same and advocate for political leaders who support plastic-reducing legislation at all levels of government.
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Frequently asked questions
You can help contain plastic in the ocean by reducing your use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reusing and recycling items, and participating in cleanups.
Examples of disposable and single-use plastic items include water bottles, takeout containers, plastic bags, plastic straws, and plastic cutlery.
Plastics enter the ocean through littering, improper disposal of trash, fishing gear, and streams and storm drains that carry debris directly into the ocean.
Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5mm in size. They are formed when larger plastic items break down or are produced as small plastics, such as microbeads found in cosmetics and personal care products. Microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants and are ingested by marine life, entering the food chain.
Yes, organizations like Ocean Cleanup are dedicated to removing plastic pollution from the ocean and intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the ocean. Their efforts include developing and scaling technologies, such as river cleanup technology called Interceptors, to achieve their goal of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.
