Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution in the Caribbean is a pressing issue, with the region's beaches littered with single-use plastics. The Caribbean's marine litter comes from both the region and northern waters, brought in by currents. Inadequate waste management is a significant contributor, with a large amount of plastic waste going uncollected and disposed of in waterways. The Caribbean Environment Programme, in partnership with other organizations, has launched initiatives like the Trash Free Waters Initiative and the Plastic Waste-Free Islands project to address plastic pollution. Marine litter is a global issue, with most plastic in oceans transported from land via rivers or coastlines, and the Caribbean is taking steps to combat this problem through bans on single-use plastics, recycling initiatives, and educational programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of marine litter in the Caribbean Sea that comes from land | 70% to 85% |
| Percentage of wastewater in the wider Caribbean region that goes untreated into the ocean | 85% |
| Percentage of households in the insular Caribbean that lack sewer connections | 52% |
| Number of plastic debris items removed from coastal and underwater sites in the Wider Caribbean Region between 2006-2012 | 3,990,120 |
| Miles of coastal and underwater sites in the Wider Caribbean Region covered by cleanups between 2006-2012 | 2,317 |
| Number of Caribbean countries that have banned the use of single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam | 14 |
| Amount of plastic waste generated globally in 2016 | 242 million metric tons |
| Regions where most plastic waste originates | East Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Central Asia, and North America |
| Percentage of plastic waste that originated in these regions in 2016 | 57% |
| Number of top global polluters per capita that are from the Caribbean region | 10 |
| Country that is the biggest culprit among Caribbean nations | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Amount of waste produced per capita per day in Trinidad & Tobago | 1.5 kg |
| Amount of plastic debris from Trinidad & Tobago that is guaranteed to end up in the ocean due to improper disposal | 0.19 kg per person per day |
| Amount of plastic pollution disposed of into the ocean in the Caribbean each year | 18 billion pounds |
| Number of rivers that contribute to the majority of plastic pollution | 10 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste from land-based sources
The Caribbean region faces challenges due to inadequate waste management systems, which contribute to the high levels of plastic pollution. A World Bank report, "Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste," highlights that poor waste management practices, such as open dumping, open burning, and disposal in waterways, increase the likelihood of plastics and other waste ending up in the oceans. The report also reveals that across a sample of Caribbean countries, an estimated 322,745 tonnes of plastic goes uncollected each year, leading to improper waste disposal.
The impact of plastic pollution from land-based sources is exacerbated by the region's reliance on the Caribbean Sea for economic activities such as tourism and fisheries. The presence of plastic pollution poses a threat to the region's economy, biodiversity, and the health and development of its people. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Caribbean countries have taken initiatives to address plastic waste from land-based sources.
One notable effort is the Plastic Waste-Free Islands (PWFI) project, implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in partnership with Caribbean governments. The PWFI project aims to address plastic waste leakage from island states by promoting a significant reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage. The project focuses on three key sectors: tourism, fisheries, and waste management, providing an opportunity for knowledge sharing and the development of best practices.
Additionally, individual Caribbean countries have taken steps to reduce plastic waste from land-based sources. For example, Antigua and Barbuda led a five-phased approach to eliminating single-use plastics, while Trinidad and Tobago, which had the highest per capita waste production in the world, took measures to improve waste management and reduce plastic pollution. These efforts demonstrate the commitment of Caribbean nations to tackle plastic waste from land-based sources and protect their environment and economy.
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Marine plastic waste from Trinidad and Tobago
Marine plastic waste is a pressing issue in Trinidad and Tobago, with the nation facing significant challenges in managing this environmental threat. The country generates a substantial amount of plastic waste, with approximately 129,000 metric tonnes of plastic brought into Trinidad alone each year. This waste enters the ocean, polluting the marine environment and impacting the country's economy, particularly in the tourism and fishing sectors.
Trinidad and Tobago's high per capita waste production, estimated at 1.5 kilograms per person per day, exacerbates the problem. Improper disposal methods result in at least 0.19 kg of plastic debris per person ending up in the ocean. This inadequate waste management is a root cause of the issue, leading to plastic pollution in waterways and on land. The Maraval River, flowing through the capital city of Port of Spain, is a notable example, often carrying a stream of plastic waste that eventually reaches the sea.
The impact of this pollution extends beyond the environment, affecting local communities and the country's economic activities. Coastal communities bear the brunt of clean-up operation costs, facing reduced income and employment opportunities. The tourism industry, a vital component of the economy, suffers as visitors are deterred by beaches littered with waste. Additionally, marine litter poses a threat to fish stocks and boats, further impacting the fishing industry.
To address this issue, the United Nations (UN) is collaborating with local organisations in Trinidad and Tobago to tackle plastic waste. They are working together to collect and reuse plastic waste in innovative ways that benefit local communities. One example is the construction of a greenhouse in the village of Kernaham, made entirely from waste plastic. By shredding and repurposing plastic waste, it can be transformed into a wood-like product known as "plastic lumber," which has various applications.
While these efforts are promising, more comprehensive solutions are needed. This includes improving waste management and waste infrastructure, such as garbage collection, recycling centres, and secure landfills. Additionally, there is a growing recognition that reducing the production and consumption of single-use plastics is essential. The Caribbean region, including Trinidad and Tobago, has seen progress in this regard, with several countries implementing bans on single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam products. These combined efforts offer hope in the fight against marine plastic waste in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.
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Plastic pollution from rivers
Plastic pollution is an emerging environmental risk due to its negative impact on ecosystem health and human livelihood. Marine litter is one of the three priority pollutants for the wider Caribbean region, with 70 to 85% of it in the Caribbean Sea originating from land. It is transported from land to the sea via rivers or coastlines.
Rivers are a major source of plastic waste in the oceans. Plastics enter rivers through various pathways, including improper disposal, direct dumping, leaking from waste infrastructure or industry, sewage discharge, and hydrometeorological variables such as wind and surface runoff. Small urban rivers contribute substantially to plastic export to the oceans.
Several studies have been conducted to understand the extent of plastic pollution in rivers. One study estimated that 5.8 million tons of plastic waste end up in rivers annually, while another study suggests that the amount of plastic entering aquatic environments ranges from 19 to 23 million tons per year. The latest research, published in Science Advances, found that rivers emitted around 1 million tons of plastics into the oceans in 2015, with an uncertainty range of 0.8 to 2.7 million tons.
To address plastic pollution in rivers, monitoring programs have been recommended to use simple methods such as counting macroplastics visually from bridges. The UNEP (2020) report "Monitoring Plastics in Rivers and Lakes: Guidelines for the Harmonization of Methodologies" provides guidance on developing and implementing relevant monitoring programs for plastics in freshwater systems.
In the Caribbean, several awareness campaigns have been launched to address the issue of plastic pollution. The Clean Seas campaign, launched by UN Environment in February 2017, aims to engage governments, the public, civil society, and the private sector in reducing marine plastic litter. More than 18 territories in the region have banned single-use plastics or Styrofoam products, and many have made commitments to protecting oceans, encouraging recycling, and improving waste management practices.
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Plastic waste from the top 3 global-polluting regions
Marine litter is a pressing issue in the Caribbean, with plastics constituting a significant portion of this waste. While the Caribbean's plastic pollution originates from both local and external sources, it is crucial to address the broader context of plastic waste from the top three global-polluting regions and their potential impact on the Caribbean's marine environment. Here is an overview of plastic waste from these top-polluting regions:
East Asia and the Pacific
This region, including countries like China, Indonesia, and India, is a significant contributor to plastic waste globally. China, in particular, leads the world in plastic production, accounting for 32% of global plastic materials production in 2021. India and China were also identified as the top two biggest polluters of plastic in the oceans, with Indonesia following closely behind. The Pasig River in the Philippines is notable for contributing 6.4% of global river plastics. Furthermore, previous studies have indicated that Asian countries contribute up to 86% of plastic emissions into the ocean. The plastic waste generated in this region, if not effectively managed, can have far-reaching consequences, including impacting the Caribbean through ocean currents.
Europe and Central Asia
Europe and Central Asia are the second-largest generators of plastic waste, producing 45 million metric tons. Incineration is a prevalent waste management strategy in Europe, which can emit pollutants if not properly controlled. Additionally, Europe has a 15% plastic footprint in global production. The impact of plastic waste from this region on the Caribbean may be less direct, but it still contributes to the overall plastic pollution affecting marine environments worldwide.
North America
North America, including the United States and Canada, is responsible for 18% of global plastic production, ranking as the world's second-largest plastic-producing region. In the United States, three-quarters of plastics end up in landfills. While the direct impact of North American plastic waste on the Caribbean may be more localized, it is still a significant contributor to global plastic pollution.
It is important to note that these regions' plastic waste contributions are not limited to the Caribbean but affect oceans and marine environments worldwide. The Caribbean's marine litter, specifically, is influenced by a combination of local waste management practices, ocean currents carrying waste from northern waters, and the broader impact of plastic pollution from these top-polluting regions. Addressing plastic waste requires a multifaceted approach, including improved waste management, reduced plastic consumption, increased recycling, and collaborative efforts between governments, industries, and local communities.
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Single-use plastics on Caribbean beaches
Single-use plastics are a major problem for Caribbean beaches, with marine litter threatening the region's coastal tourism industry, which is worth $57 billion a year. A World Bank report, Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste, highlights the causes and offers solutions for ocean pollution in one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, now a hotspot for marine debris, especially plastics.
The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic waste due to its small, coastal communities with ocean-dependent economies and inadequate waste management systems. In fact, the Caribbean Islands are the biggest plastic polluters per capita in the world. Trinidad and Tobago, for example, produces 1.5 kilograms of waste per capita per day, with at least 0.19 kg per person per day of plastic debris ending up in the ocean due to improper disposal. Across a sample of Caribbean countries, an estimated 322,745 tonnes of plastic goes uncollected each year, resulting in 22% of households discarding waste in waterways or on land, where it can be washed into waterways.
The plastic on Caribbean beaches originates from both the region and northern waters, brought in by prevailing currents. Studies have found as many as 200,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometer in the northeastern Caribbean, with plastic beverage bottles alone amounting to 21% of items recorded during beach and coastal clean-ups in 2017. Single-use plastics made up 35% of all plastic items collected.
To tackle the problem, 14 Caribbean countries—more than a third—have banned the use of single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam, and many more have committed to protecting oceans, encouraging recycling, and cutting back on single-use plastics. In 2020, the Plastic Waste-Free Islands (PWFI) project was launched in Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, seeking to address the problem of plastic waste leakage from island states. The project works in three regions: the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Oceania, to promote a significant, quantified reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage within three years.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution in the Caribbean comes from both the region and northern waters, brought in by prevailing currents. Marine litter in the Caribbean Sea comes from land-based sources, such as open dumping, open burning, and disposal in waterways.
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the Caribbean's economy, environment, and public health. It endangers the region's $400 billion income from the Caribbean Sea, with sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and trade at risk. The high concentration of microplastics in the ocean also contributes to the presence of microplastics in bottled water, potentially damaging human health.
Several initiatives and projects have been implemented to tackle plastic pollution in the Caribbean. The Trash Free Waters Initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, aims to reduce land-based trash from entering watersheds and coastal waters. The Plastic Waste-Free Islands (PWFI) project focuses on reducing plastic waste generation and leakage from island states. Additionally, 14 Caribbean countries have banned single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam, and organizations like Parley for the Oceans are repurposing plastic marine debris into fashion items.
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