Maya Ellison
Marine plastic is a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic found in the ocean, on beaches, and in marine ecosystems. Plastic debris in the ocean has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife, with thousands of marine animals killed each year due to ingestion or entanglement. The primary source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with plastic waste from littering, single-use items, and improper disposal ending up in the ocean. It is estimated that around 0.5% to 2 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean annually, with middle-income countries contributing the most plastic emissions due to inadequate waste management systems. The accumulation of plastic in the ocean is a critical issue that requires global cooperation and systemic changes to reduce plastic production and improve waste management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean | 0.5% |
| Where most plastic in the ocean comes from | Middle-income countries, particularly across Asia |
| How plastic gets into the ocean | Littering, illegal dumping of waste, natural disasters, flushed down toilets, washing machines, rivers that dump into the ocean |
| Types of plastic that end up in the ocean | Food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, take-out containers, cigarette butts, cups, plates, bottle caps, single-use bags, abandoned fishing nets, microplastics |
| Effects of plastic in the ocean | Marine wildlife entanglement and ingestion, disruption of marine ecosystems, transportation of invasive species, toxic ingestion by humans |
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What You'll Learn
Mismanaged plastic waste
The accumulation of mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) is a growing global concern. MPW includes urban litter and inadequately contained waste, such as open dumps, which can be transported via runoff and wind into inland waterways and coastal regions. This waste often ends up in the ocean, impacting marine ecosystems and contributing to the formation of "garbage patches" in the five major rotating gyres in the North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Indian Ocean.
The mismanagement of plastic waste occurs when it is not recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in sealed landfills. This mismanagement is more prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure, and it is exacerbated by the high demand for single-use plastic products and the slow growth in recycling rates. Rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, but most of the ocean plastics originate from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia.
The density of the population and GDP are significant factors in predicting waste generation. Densely populated developing economies with inappropriate waste management infrastructures result in significant volumes of plastic waste leaking into the environment. The current global geography of mismanaged plastic waste generation is disproportionately higher in Asian and African continents. However, with improved waste management infrastructures and controlled consumer demand, the main hotspots of mismanaged plastic waste generation can gradually shift.
To address the issue of mismanaged plastic waste, it is essential to invest in better waste management infrastructures and collection technologies. This includes improving waste management in developing economies and reducing the demand for and use of plastic products. By implementing preventive and curative strategies, such as material innovation and consumer habit changes, we can work towards reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans and other water bodies.
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Plastic in the food chain
Plastic in the oceans is a critical issue, threatening marine life and ecosystems. It is estimated that around 1 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, with most of it staying close to the shoreline. This plastic pollution comes from a variety of sources, including littering, improper waste disposal, and natural disasters, and it affects not only marine environments but also freshwater systems like the Great Lakes.
Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5mm in size, are a particular cause for worry. They are created when larger plastic items break down or are produced as microbeads in personal care products and are easily ingested by marine organisms. These microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and pollutants, which accumulate in animal tissues and fat through bioaccumulation. As these plastics move up the food chain, the toxins they carry can also accumulate, potentially impacting human health.
The impact of plastic in the food chain is evident in various species. For example, research has shown that 100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs, and arrow worms, which are consumed by other animals, have been filmed ingesting plastic microfibers. Even amphipods in the deepest Mariana Trench were found to have plastic in their bodies, demonstrating the far-reaching extent of plastic pollution.
Addressing plastic in the food chain requires collective action. Individuals can reduce plastic waste by reusing and recycling, while also advocating for better waste management practices, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, where mismanaged waste is a significant contributor to ocean plastic pollution. Additionally, reducing plastic production and promoting alternatives are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of plastic on the food chain.
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Plastic in marine wildlife habitats
Plastic in the ocean has become a global crisis, with an impact on marine wildlife estimated to cost $500 to $2500 billion per year. Marine ecosystems are finely balanced, and the introduction of plastics can seriously impact the animals that live there.
Plastic debris in the ocean comes from a variety of land and ocean-based sources and can enter the water in many ways. The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with 80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land. Careless and improper waste disposal is a big contributor, with illegal dumping of waste adding greatly to the plastic surge in our seas. Even those who live far from the sea contribute to ocean pollution when their waste gets into rivers that flow into the ocean. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can also quickly move plastic into the ocean. Marine waste has also been dumped directly into the ocean, including plastics and other petroleum products.
Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades. Instead, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life. These microplastics can come from larger plastics breaking down or can be produced as small plastics such as microbeads, found in products such as toothpaste and face wash. Microfibres are also released into waterways when we wash our clothes in the washing machine. These are consumed by small marine species and can eventually end up in our food chain.
Many marine animals ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which can cause intestinal injury and death. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic every year. Plastic ingestion can also reduce the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation. In addition, animals can get tangled up in plastic, with packing bands being the most common entangling material. Endangered wildlife such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
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Global efforts to reduce plastic
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health, with trillions of pieces of plastic currently in our oceans. This plastic has a devastating impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems, and it is estimated that plastic pollution reduces the value of marine ecosystem services by $500 to $2500 billion per year. Marine litter and microplastics have been on the agenda of the UN Environment Assembly for several years, and global efforts to reduce plastic are gaining momentum. Here are some key ways in which the world is trying to tackle this issue:
Policy and Legislation
Legislative changes have been enacted in many places globally to limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. For example, the European Union has successfully reduced the use of single-use carrier bags, and the UK has banned microbeads. The United Nations Environment Assembly has also established Resolution 3/7, which encourages national action and international cooperation to combat marine plastic pollution. Furthermore, the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States is a comprehensive federal bill addressing the plastic pollution crisis.
Corporate Commitments
Industry leaders have also made commitments to fight plastic pollution. For instance, Nestle has pledged to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. While these steps only address a fraction of the problem, they are significant contributions to the overall effort.
Community Action
Ocean Conservancy has mobilized over 17 million volunteers from 150 countries to participate in its annual International Coastal Cleanup. These volunteers have collected more than 348 million pounds of trash from beaches worldwide, demonstrating the power of community action in tackling plastic pollution.
Technological Innovations
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization that has been working for over ten years to develop and scale technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. They aim to remove 90% of plastic by 2040 through river interception and ocean cleanup systems. Their efforts have already removed tens of millions of kilograms of plastic and inspired further action from individuals, organizations, and governments.
Individual Behaviour Changes
While individual behaviour changes alone are insufficient to solve the problem, they are still important. People can support local, national, and international legislation that targets plastic producers and distributors, and they can also ensure they recycle single-use plastics.
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Plastic in ocean currents
Ocean currents play a significant role in the distribution of plastic waste in our oceans. Driven by salinity, temperature, and wind, these currents transport massive amounts of water, plants, animals, and now plastic, across the globe. While only about 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, the impact is devastating as plastic does not biodegrade and can remain in the ocean indefinitely.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific, is a well-known example of the accumulation of marine debris due to ocean currents. This garbage patch is bounded by the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a large system of swirling ocean currents. The circular motion of the gyre draws debris into its stable centre, trapping it. A similar process occurs in the Eastern and Western Garbage Patches, where vortexes gradually draw in plastic debris.
Ocean currents can carry plastic waste over long distances, even reaching the remote poles and the depths of the Mariana Trench. Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic that break off from larger items or are produced as small plastics, can be transported by ocean currents from densely populated areas to previously untouched regions, such as the Arctic. This has led to the expansion of species' indigenous habitats as climate change alters regional environments.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems is significant. Marine animals, such as seabirds and filter feeders like mussels, often mistake microplastics for food, leading to ingestion. Additionally, plastic waste can entangle marine life and disrupt the natural movement of species.
To address the issue of plastic in ocean currents, it is crucial to focus on both prevention and cleanup. Reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management practices, especially in middle-income countries, and participating in beach and ocean clean-up initiatives are all essential steps towards mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and the planet's health.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine plastic can end up in many places, from the deep-sea floor of the Marianas Trench to the Arctic. It accumulates in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. There are five major rotating gyres where plastic litter tends to accumulate—the North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Indian Ocean gyres.
The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based—80% of plastic in the ocean originates on land. Careless and improper waste disposal is a big contributor, including littering and illegal dumping of waste. Even those who live far from the sea contribute to ocean pollution when their waste gets into rivers that flow into the ocean.
Marine wildlife suffers the most direct and damaging effects of ocean plastic pollution. Thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation. Plastic pollution has also been shown to aid the expansion of species indigenous habitats as climate change alters regional environments.
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