Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution in the oceans has become a pressing environmental concern, with an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year. The story of plastic pollution began decades ago, but it was in the 1960s that scientists from the National Academy of Sciences first discovered the extent of the issue, reporting that over 100 million tonnes of waste, largely consisting of chemical, industrial, and sewage waste, had been dumped into the ocean. By the 1970s, the realisation hit that plastic does not simply go away—instead, it breaks up into microplastics, which are now one of the major pollutants in our oceans. The 1970s also saw a significant rise in plastic production, and by the 1980s, plastic waste generation had more than tripled. Today, plastic pollution is ubiquitous across all ocean basins, ecosystems, habitats, and food webs, and the scientific community is actively working towards solutions to tackle this global crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date plastic pollution in oceans began | 1960s |
| Year plastic was invented | 1869 |
| Year plastic entered the food sector | 1950 |
| Year single-use plastic bags were introduced | 1970 |
| Year plastic waste generation tripled | 1970s |
| Year plastic waste in oceans was discovered | 1990 |
| Year plastic pollution in oceans was confirmed | 1997 |
| Year plastic pollution became a global issue | 2010s |
| Year UN adopted the Clean Seas campaign | 2016 |
| Year EU banned single-use plastics | 2018 |
| Year plastic pollution was estimated to outweigh fish in the sea | 2050 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production and consumption increased after World War II
The story of plastic pollution in the oceans began decades ago, with the first synthetic polymer created in 1869. However, it was after World War II that plastic production and consumption surged.
During World War II, there was a great expansion of the plastics industry, driven by the need for easy-to-produce, durable supplies. Copper, aluminium, steel and zinc became highly sought-after metals reserved for the war effort, so plastic technology came to the forefront. The invention of Bakelite, with its 100% synthetic components, opened the door for new polymers such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and nylon.
Post-war consumerism was promoted as a patriotic contribution to the success of the American way of life. Manufacturers sought to ensure Americans were never satisfied, fuelling a drive for novelty. Plastic became the material of choice for this never-ending expansion, with companies working with women's magazines to promote plastic home goods.
In the 1950s, plastic was introduced to the food sector, allowing for takeaways and business expansion, and marking the start of plastic entering day-to-day life. Products made from polyethylene, such as garbage pails, squeeze bottles, and hula-hoops, were lighter, more flexible, and less permanent than thermoset plastics.
The industry experienced over 15% growth between 1946 and 1960, and by 1960, plastic production had surpassed aluminium. During the 1960s and 1970s, plastic became increasingly embedded in everyday life, with shampoo and soda bottles, as well as food packaging, switching from glass to lightweight plastic. Paper bags were also replaced with plastic options.
The surge in plastic production and consumption contributed to the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans. By the 1960s, scientists discovered that more than 100 million tonnes of waste had been dumped in the ocean, and plastic pollution was recognised as one of the major pollutants. By the 1970s, it became clear that plastic does not "go away"—instead, it breaks up into smaller pieces known as microplastics.
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Marine pollution was discovered in the 1960s
Although plastic was not a focus of this initial discovery, we now know it to be one of the ocean's major pollutants. Plastic pollution in the ocean includes anything from large plastic bottles and bags to microplastics, which are formed from the fragmentation of plastic materials. Single-use plastics are the biggest contributors to marine litter and pose severe threats to marine life, human health, and the planet.
In the 1970s, it was realised that plastic does not break down but instead breaks up into smaller pieces, called microplastics. This decade also saw a significant rise in plastic production, which resulted in more pollution. By the 1980s, the amount of plastic waste being generated had tripled compared to the previous two decades.
The first recording of a plastic bag in the ocean is believed to be from a log entry made in 1965, when a bag became entangled with equipment being towed off the coast of Ireland. This discovery was made by researchers from Plymouth's Marine Biological Association, who analysed historic logs and found early cases of plastics entanglement.
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Plastic waste generation tripled between the 1970s and 1990s
Plastic pollution in the ocean has been an issue for decades, with scientists from the National Academy of Sciences reporting in the 1960s that more than 100 million tonnes of waste had been dumped in the ocean. This report did not include plastic pollution, as plastic had only recently become a mainstream material. However, by the 1970s, it became clear that plastic does not simply "go away" but breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics. This realisation coincided with a significant rise in plastic production, which resulted in increased pollution.
Between the 1970s and 1990s, plastic waste generation tripled, and by 1990, researchers were discovering that plastic was polluting the oceans, damaging sea life and the environment. Single-use plastics, designed to be used once and then thrown away, became commonplace, with consumers embracing the convenience they offered. As a result, the amount of plastic waste generated rose sharply, with plastic waste generation increasing more in a single decade than it had in the previous 40 years.
The production of plastic has continued to increase, with up to 422 million tonnes of plastic produced annually. Single-use plastics remain a significant contributor to marine litter, with an estimated one to two million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. This plastic pollution poses severe threats to marine life, human health, and the planet. As awareness of the negative impacts of plastic has grown, efforts have been made to reduce plastic use and improve waste management practices.
Legislative attempts have been made to address the issue, with the U.S. Congress passing the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act following the National Academy of Sciences' discovery of the extent of ocean waste. Additionally, the Society of the Plastics Industry developed the plastic resin identification code in the 1980s to facilitate easier recycling and disposal of plastics. While these initiatives are important steps, the realisation that plastic does not break down naturally and the continued increase in plastic production highlight the urgency of addressing plastic pollution.
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Plastic was found to be polluting oceans by 1990
Plastic pollution in the ocean has been a growing problem for decades. The ocean has been used as a dumping ground for plastic, sewage, industrial, and chemical waste. While the ocean is vast, it is not bottomless and is not a landfill site.
The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. However, rapid growth in plastic production did not occur until the 1950s, when plastic was introduced to the food sector. This allowed restaurants to offer takeaways and expand their businesses, but it also marked the start of plastic entering our day-to-day lives.
In the 1960s, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered that more than 100 million tonnes of waste had been dumped into the ocean. This report did not include plastic pollution because plastic had only recently become a mainstream material. However, between the 1970s and 1990s, plastic waste generation more than tripled, and it became clear that plastic does not simply "go away". Instead, it breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are now one of the major pollutants in our oceans.
By 1990, researchers were discovering that plastic was polluting the oceans, with 60-80% of that plastic persisting in the environment. Plastic pollution was damaging sea life and the environment, and awareness of its negative effects was growing. Plastic was found to be harmful to wildlife, with seabirds ingesting plastic materials and seals getting trapped in plastic netting.
In the early 2000s, the amount of plastic waste generated rose more in a single decade than it had in the previous 40 years. Today, plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic entering the ocean every year. Studies estimate that there are now 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, affecting all ocean basins, ecosystems, habitats, and food webs.
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Plastic pollution is an environmental crisis
The history of plastic pollution can be traced back to the introduction of single-use plastic bags in 1970, which quickly became mainstream. In the 1950s, plastic was introduced to the food sector, marking a shift in plastic consumption and the start of plastic entering our daily lives. However, the roots of the issue go even further back, as plastic was invented in 1869. While it was created with good intentions, such as saving elephants from ivory poaching, it has now become a significant burden on the planet.
The realisation of the negative impacts of plastic pollution came in the 1970s, when it became clear that plastic does not simply "go away". Instead, it breaks up into microplastics, which are now one of the major forms of ocean pollution. By the 1980s, the issue was significant enough that the Society of the Plastics Industry developed the plastic resin identification code to facilitate recycling and responsible disposal. However, our reliance on plastic had already taken hold, and plastic waste generation continued to increase.
The crisis has severe consequences for marine life, human health, and the planet. Marine animals, such as seabirds and seals, are directly affected, and plastic pollution also disrupts marine food sources. Additionally, the toxins present in plastics can build up in the bodies of marine animals, impacting their immune systems and reproductive abilities. These toxins can then enter the human food chain, causing health issues for people who ingest toxic microplastics.
The crisis is further exacerbated by the fact that plastic production relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to climate change and accelerating global warming. As a result, rising sea levels and extreme weather events pose additional threats to marine life and ecosystems. While there have been legislative attempts to address the issue, such as the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, and initiatives like the Clean Seas campaign, the crisis persists.
To truly tackle plastic pollution, we must accept that recycling alone is not enough. We need to fundamentally rethink our relationship with plastic and move away from our culture of convenience. This includes reducing the use of single-use plastics, implementing stricter recycling practices, and developing sustainable alternatives. It is essential that we work together to revolutionize our society, prioritizing social and environmental responsibility and accountability.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution in oceans has likely been occurring for as long as plastic has existed, but the issue came to light in the 1960s when scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered over 100 million tonnes of waste in the ocean.
By the 1990s, it was widely known that plastic was damaging sea life and the environment. However, it wasn't until the early 2010s that an active effort was made to use alternatives.
Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with 9.5 million tonnes entering from the land and 1.75 tonnes coming directly from the fishing and shipping industry.
Various initiatives and legislative attempts have been made to tackle plastic pollution in oceans, such as the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, the Clean Seas campaign, and bans on single-use plastics. Environmental organisations, scientists, concerned citizens, and governments are also working to reduce single-use plastic, implement stricter recycling practices, and develop sustainable alternatives.
