Ethan Clarke
The world is currently facing a plastic pollution crisis. While plastic has been around for over a century, the issue of plastic pollution has become increasingly prominent in recent years. The problem can be traced back to the post-war period when plastic began to replace more expensive materials such as paper, glass, and metal in disposable items. The convenience and durability offered by plastic led to a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for a significant portion of annual plastic production. The persistence of plastic waste and its harmful effects on wildlife and the environment have raised concerns, with plastic pollution now recognised as one of the most pressing environmental issues globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First observed | 1960s |
| First discussed in popular culture | 1968, in the movie The Graduate |
| First scientific expedition to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 2009 |
| First global emissions model | 2015 |
| First plastic | 1869 |
| First synthetic plastic resins | 1907 |
| First plastic successes | 1930s |
| First biodegradable plastic | 1990 |
| Plastic production in 1950 | 1.5 million metric tons |
| Plastic production in 2010 | 275 million metric tons |
| Plastic production in 2015 | 448 million tons |
| Plastic production in 2018 | 359 million metric tons |
| Plastic waste in oceans in 2010 | 4-12 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic that is single-use | 40% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that enters the ocean from coastal nations | 20% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution in oceans
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and well-studied oceanic gyre. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains around 100 million kilograms of plastic, with larger objects continually fragmenting into smaller pieces that are harder to clean up.
Plastic pollution in the oceans has severe ecological consequences. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics. Marine animals such as seals, whales, turtles, and birds often ingest plastic or become entangled in abandoned fishing gear and other plastic debris, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. Microplastics, which are smaller fragments of plastic, have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels destined for human consumption. These microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides and release them into the ocean, potentially impacting human health.
The plastic pollution crisis in the oceans is driven by the exponential increase in plastic production and consumption, coupled with improper waste management practices in many countries. While high-income countries have effective waste management systems, lower-income countries often struggle with inadequate infrastructure, contributing to the leakage of plastic into the oceans. Efforts to address this global crisis include reducing plastic use, improving waste management, advocating for policy changes, and participating in local clean-up initiatives.
The impact of plastic pollution in the oceans is far-reaching, endangering marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and potentially affecting human health. With the problem continuing to grow, urgent action is needed to mitigate the negative consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Plastic's reputation fall
The Plastics Age, as the 20th and 21st centuries have been dubbed, has seen the material's reputation fall as its environmental impact has become clear.
Plastic debris in the oceans was first observed in the 1960s, a decade in which Americans became increasingly aware of environmental problems. As awareness about environmental issues spread, the persistence of plastic waste began to trouble observers. In 1969, a major oil spill off the California coast and a fire on the polluted Cuyahoga River in Ohio further raised concerns about pollution.
In the 1970s and 1980s, anxiety about waste increased, and plastic became a special target. While so many plastic products are disposable, plastic lasts forever in the environment. It was the plastics industry that offered recycling as a solution. However, recycling is far from perfect, and most plastics still end up in landfills or in the environment.
The ultimate symbol of the problem of plastic waste is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, described as a swirl of plastic garbage the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean. The Garbage Patch was discovered in 2006, and in 2009, the first scientific expedition set off from San Diego to see what they could find.
Today, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, thanks to the overwhelming rise in the production of disposable plastic products. Single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced every year, with around 500 billion PET bottles sold annually. The production of plastic contributes to global CO2 production, and plastic waste affects many areas of the natural environment, especially the oceans and the biodiversity of their ecosystems.
Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, and nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected. Microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels destined for human consumption. The health implications of microplastic deposits in our bodies are not yet fully known.
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Plastic waste in landfills
The problem of plastic waste in landfills is twofold. Firstly, plastic waste takes up a lot of space in landfills, and because it does not degrade, landfills fill up quickly, requiring more space for new waste. This is an unsustainable solution. The second issue is the potential harm caused by plastic waste. Landfills are meant to prevent any exchange with the surrounding environment, but in reality, this is not the case. Plastic waste can break down into microplastics, which can be transported by air and leachate into surrounding environments, leading to the pollution of land and water ecosystems.
The formation and spread of microplastics are major concerns, as they can have multisectoral impacts on health, the environment, and the economy. Microplastics can enter waterways, leading to plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and other aquatic ecosystems. This plastic pollution can then be ingested by marine life, leading to the deaths of millions of animals every year. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics.
Additionally, the degradation of plastic waste in landfills can release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through oxidative photodegradation. These toxic substances pose risks to both the environment and human health. The open burning of plastic waste, a common practice in regions with inadequate waste management infrastructure, further exacerbates these health risks.
While recycling is often touted as a solution, it is not a perfect one. Most plastics still end up in landfills or the environment, and even in controlled landfills, the release of harmful substances is possible. However, recycling is still the second-best option after limiting plastic use through substitution or reuse. Microbial degradation is a promising alternative, with certain microorganisms and enzymes able to break down synthetic plastics, but more research is needed to fully characterize this method.
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Plastic's effect on wildlife
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste increasing in both developed and developing nations. The production of disposable plastic has increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015, and is expected to double by 2050. This has had a significant impact on wildlife, with millions of animals killed by plastic pollution every year.
Plastic pollution affects a wide range of wildlife species, from microscopic animals to large predators and even humans. Birds, fish, and other marine organisms are particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird consumes plastics, and plastic ingestion has been observed in 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species.
Plastic ingestion can have severe consequences for wildlife, including intestinal blockages and internal bleeding. It can also choke and starve animals by creating a false sense of fullness. In some cases, plastic consumption can reduce stomach storage volume, making it difficult for animals to eat. Additionally, microplastics have been found to cause liver and cell damage, as well as disrupt reproductive systems.
Wildlife can also become entangled in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear or plastic rings, leading to immobility, suffocation, dehydration, and eventual death. Plastic debris can impede the ability of birds to fly and hunt, and it can cause deep cuts and wounds on animals, such as raccoons, which can result in the loss of limbs.
The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife is not limited to marine environments. Land-based animals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, have also been affected by plastic ingestion, with fatal consequences in some cases. Plastic waste can also contaminate soil and water sources, leading to the presence of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems and impacting a variety of land-dwelling organisms.
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Plastic's impact on human health
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste harming animal and human health. Plastic pollution was first observed in the oceans in the 1960s, and in the decades that followed, the material's reputation fell as anxiety about waste increased. Plastic is now recognised as a pervasive and dangerous issue, threatening human health on a global scale.
Humans are exposed to toxic chemicals and microplastics through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. An average person could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week. The health impacts of plastics are still a relatively new research area, but scientific results indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its life cycle.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics are of particular concern. Over 170 fracking chemicals used to produce plastic feedstocks have known human health impacts, including cancer, neurological, reproductive, and developmental toxicity, and impairment of the immune system. These toxins have direct and documented impacts on the skin, eyes, and other sensory organs, as well as on the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems, liver, and brain.
Microplastics have been found to damage cells in the human body, leading to cancers, lung disease, and birth defects. They can also alter hormone activity, disrupting reproduction, growth, and cognitive function. Additionally, microplastics act as vessels for pathogens to enter the human body, increasing the spread of diseases.
Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, workers in the waste sector, and marginalised communities, are particularly exposed to the health risks posed by plastics. The adverse effects on children in the womb and young children are significant, with increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic has been a problem almost as long as it has existed. Plastic commercialization began during World War II, and the material quickly saturated the market. By the 1960s, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences discovered that more than 100 million tons of waste had been dumped in the ocean.
The first man-made plastic was called Parkesine, developed by Alexander Parkes in 1862. However, the first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt.
Plastic bags were invented by a Swedish company called Celloplast.
There are about 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, with an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste.
Plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life, with animals mistaking plastic for food and suffering from suffocation, starvation, and other health problems. Plastic pollution also contributes to climate change, with rising sea levels, warming ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification.
