Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with plastic waste present in many places around the world. The annual production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold over the last 70 years, with the world producing around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year. While rich countries generate more plastic waste per person, most of the ocean plastic waste comes from poorer countries with poorer waste management infrastructure. Plastic waste in oceans comes from hundreds of thousands of river outlets, with a 2017 study estimating that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean, with 180 times more plastic than marine life. Plastic pollution has harmful effects on marine life and ecosystems, and plastic microfibers have also been found in municipal drinking water systems and in the human body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of plastic in the ocean | Between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. One source states that 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. |
| Plastic waste by country | Rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person. The Philippines accounts for more than one-third (36%) of plastic inputs, followed by India (13%) and China (7%). |
| Plastic waste management | Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. 12% is incinerated, and 79% ends up in landfills, dumps, or the natural environment. |
| Plastic in rivers | The top 10 emitting rivers contribute 18% of plastic emissions. To account for 80% of river plastics, the top 1,656 rivers must be considered. |
| Plastic in coastal waters | Much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters and can spread via ocean currents. |
| Microplastics | Microplastics have been found in all corners of the globe, including Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. They have also been detected in municipal drinking water systems and the air. |
| Impact on wildlife | Plastic pollution has a deadly effect on wildlife, with hundreds of thousands of marine animals dying each year from ingestion or entanglement. Sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals are among the most affected species. |
| Single-use plastics | Single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced annually, with a lifespan of minutes to hours but persistence in the environment for hundreds of years. |
| Global plastic production | Annual plastic production has increased nearly 230-fold in the last 70 years, reaching 460 million tonnes in 2019. Production is expected to double by 2050. |
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What You'll Learn
Rivers and oceans
Plastic waste is a pressing environmental issue, with plastic pollution most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. Rivers and oceans are among the most affected by plastic pollution.
Plastic waste enters oceans primarily through rivers, with over 1,000 rivers worldwide contributing to this issue. Rivers in Asia, such as the Yangtze in China, the Pasig River in the Philippines, and the Ganges, are among the most polluted by plastics. However, smaller rivers in tropical regions, including those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Dominican Republic, and Central America, also carry heavy concentrations of plastic waste. These rivers continuously disgorge plastic into the oceans, contributing to the vast amount of plastic pollution in coastal waters and affecting marine life.
The plastic waste in rivers is influenced by factors such as proximity to coastlines, rainfall, wind currents, terrain, and the proximity of landfills and dumpsites. For example, plastic flows more easily into rivers from paved urban areas and travels farther in rainy climates. Once in the ocean, plastic waste is carried by ocean currents, spreading marine plastic pollution worldwide. This pollution breaks down into microplastics, which have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and are even present in municipal drinking water systems and the human body.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is significant. It is estimated that millions of marine animals, including endangered species, are killed annually due to plastic waste. Nearly every species of seabird consumes plastic, and many animals suffer entanglement or starvation due to abandoned fishing gear and plastic debris. The presence of microplastics in the food chain, including in fish, shrimp, and mussels, raises concerns about potential harm to human health, which scientists are actively investigating.
Addressing plastic pollution in rivers and oceans requires a comprehensive approach, including improving waste management practices, rethinking plastic chemistry and product design, implementing effective recycling strategies, and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
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Landfills and the environment
Landfills are a significant source of plastic pollution, with around half of all plastic waste ending up in landfills each year. This proportion is even higher in low-to-middle-income countries, where waste management infrastructure is often lacking. In these countries, waste may be dumped outside of landfills, and landfills that do exist may be open, allowing plastic waste to leak into the surrounding environment.
The problem of plastic pollution is not limited to landfills, however. Plastic waste that is not properly managed can find its way into rivers and oceans, where it can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, with previous estimates reaching as high as 8 million tonnes. This plastic pollution comes primarily from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia, where waste management systems may be inadequate or non-existent.
Rich countries tend to produce more plastic waste per person, but they also tend to have better waste management practices, such as incineration and recycling, which reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or the environment. However, even in these countries, plastic pollution can still be an issue, as evidenced by the presence of microplastics in municipal drinking water systems and the air.
The impact of plastic pollution on the environment is profound. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to degrade, and during that time, it can harm animal and human health. Marine animals, such as sea turtles and birds, can mistake plastic for food, leading to choking and internal injuries. Microplastics, which are small particles of degraded plastic, have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and have even been detected in human blood, lungs, and feces.
To address the issue of plastic pollution in landfills and the environment, it is essential to improve waste management practices, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries. This may include investing in infrastructure, such as sealed landfills, as well as promoting recycling and incineration as alternatives to landfilling. Public awareness campaigns, incentives for recycling, and bans on certain single-use plastic products can also help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the environment.
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Developing nations
Wealthier nations often export their plastic waste to developing nations, offloading their environmental responsibilities. This practice is cheaper and easier than investing in domestic recycling infrastructure. However, the environmental and ethical consequences are significant. Mismanaged waste exports contribute to ocean pollution, with an estimated 5% of ocean plastic pollution stemming from these exports. Additionally, exported plastic waste is often dumped and burned illegally, releasing toxic chemical pollutants into the air and water supplies.
The plastic waste trade has severe public health and environmental risks for developing nations. Communities are exposed to toxic chemicals, leading to poisoning and hazardous air pollution. The burning of plastic waste releases toxins, and dumps and landfills can leach chemicals like PCBs, which are carcinogenic, into soil and water supplies.
To address this issue, wealthier nations must support developing nations in processing waste effectively. This can be achieved through financial and strategic assistance, helping poorer countries build robust waste management infrastructure. Additionally, improving waste management systems, reducing single-use plastics, and implementing better product design can contribute to reducing plastic pollution.
While developing nations bear the brunt of plastic pollution, it is essential to recognize that plastic waste is a global issue. Even in developed countries, there are challenges with properly collecting and recycling plastic waste. A coordinated effort, such as a global treaty, is necessary to tackle this crisis effectively.
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Global distribution
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with the overwhelming rise in the production of disposable plastic products. Plastic waste is found all over the world, but it is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. The latest research suggests that the top ten emitting rivers contribute about 18% of plastic waste to the oceans, with Asian countries contributing 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. The Philippines accounts for more than one-third (36%) of plastic inputs, with India contributing 13% and China 7%. China's Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River, which flows past Shanghai, delivers nearly 1.5 million tons of plastic waste into the Yellow Sea.
Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but what is most important for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills. Mismanaged waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure. As a result, plastic waste is often dumped outside of landfills, and the landfills that do exist are often open, leaking waste into the surrounding environment.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. It has 180 times more plastic than marine life, and animals migrating through or inhabiting this area are likely consuming plastic. For example, sea turtles and Laysan albatross chicks from Kure Atoll and Oahu Island have been found with large amounts of plastic in their digestive systems.
Plastic in the ocean breaks down into microplastics, which have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. These microplastics have also been discovered in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air, and have even been found in human blood, lungs, and faeces. The exact health impacts of microplastics on humans are still being determined, but it is clear that plastic pollution poses a significant risk to both human and animal health.
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Microplastics
Plastic is ubiquitous in our world today, with plastic debris coming in all shapes and sizes. Microplastics are small plastic pieces that are either less than or equal to 5mm in size. They can form from the degradation of larger plastic pieces or be purposefully manufactured, such as microbeads used in cosmetics. These microplastics are not limited to the oceans; they are also present in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors.
A recent study found thousands of microplastics in the air inside homes and cars, with car cabins being a significant source due to their enclosed nature and abundance of plastic-based materials. The particles are likely the result of the degradation of plastic-filled objects such as carpets, curtains, furniture, textiles, and car interiors. These microplastics can have serious health implications, with potential links to respiratory issues, endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental disorders, reproductive problems, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancers.
Primary microplastics are those that are already 5mm or smaller before entering the environment. They include microfibers from clothing, microbeads, plastic glitter, and plastic pellets. Secondary microplastics arise from the degradation of larger plastic products through natural weathering processes. Sources of secondary microplastics include water bottles, fishing nets, plastic bags, and clothing, with approximately 35% of ocean microplastics originating from textiles.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. However, plastic pollution is a global issue, with plastic items from Russia, the United States, Europe, South America, Japan, and China found in the South Pacific gyre, a circular ocean current.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. It orbits around 32°N and 145°W and is constantly changing shape due to seasonal and interannual variabilities of winds and currents.
Plastic in the ocean comes from rivers, with previous studies estimating that the top ten rivers were responsible for 50% to 60% of plastic emissions. More recent research suggests that a much wider net of rivers contributes to plastic emissions, with the top 1,656 rivers accounting for 80% of river plastics.
The Philippines accounts for more than one-third (36%) of plastic emissions into the ocean, with China and India contributing 7% and 13% respectively. This is due to the Philippines consisting of many small islands where the majority of the population lives near the coast.
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